Neu Get To Know… Litany
The Harrogate-hailing pop artist who’s a sad banger specialist.
Hello and welcome back to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… which aims to get you a little bit closer to the buzziest acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.
Alt-pop auteur Litany, we’d guess, understands the doubled-edged sword of the music world more than most - having first cut her teeth as an artist back in 2015, she went on to amass millions of streams and work with the likes of Joe Lycett (he directed one of her music videos, natch) before stepping back from the industry due to mental ill-health. It seems entirely apt, then, that her just-dropped debut album is entitled ‘Sadgirl’; merging irresistibly dancey moments with candid lyricism, it’s a portrait of an out-and-out popstar who’s nevertheless unafraid to interrogate some markedly less glossy subject matter.
To mark ‘Sadgirl”s recent release, we caught up with Litany to find out more about her story so far.
You grew up in Harrogate - musically speaking, what was that like? Did you have a good supply of musical opportunities or local venues, or did you have to venture further afield to find a proper scene?
When I was growing up, Harrogate wasn’t exactly known for a bustling music scene. As self-professed ‘indie kids’, my friends and I had to get on the Leeds train for that (Live at Leeds was an annual religious experience). I did however have the most incredible music teacher - one any aspiring singer/songwriter would sell an organ to have - Ms Segal. She was straight talking, hilarious, and a stupidly talented and hard working woman, always championing those who had potential and just needed a little push. I do think our school has an unnatural amount of successful musicians, considering where we were geographically located, and I’d bet my royalties that this is largely her doing.
Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?
Well, it’s been a decade since the first single and a lot has changed since then, but I was obsessed with Florence + The Machine - I still am, to be fair. A strong theatrical female vocal was a big yes from me and no doubt rubbed off on my own vocal styling. Lyrically, I really gravitated towards the likes of Julia Jacklin, Alex Cameron and Phoebe Bridgers’ early work. There is so much intricate detail in their songs - such vivid imagery and storytelling - but none of it is bloated. I wanted to marry that storytelling lyrical style with the aforementioned female-fronted powerhouse pop, and it’s only really with this album I think I’ve finally nailed the brief! It took a while, but we got there.
Yes, your debut album ‘Sadgirl’ has just arrived! Now, that’s a relatable title if we’ve ever heard one - do you feel like the process of creating this record has helped you view the feelings imbued in it in a different light? Was there ever a point at which you felt too vulnerable?
Oh absolutely, the last single ‘I Need a Man’ nearly took me out. I wrote that in my little box room on a particularly melancholic night after a bottle of red wine, reflecting on string of shitty dates and finding out my ex had a new girlfriend - a horrific cocktail if ever there was one. When we were discussing potential album tracks, I joked about including it because in no universe was I ever going to put something so soppy and yearning out on an album about my mental health. I felt vulnerable enough without adding an extra layer of crippling loneliness in ballad form.
But my team thought I was a nutter and said the song was too good to not be on the record and in fairness, once I saw the music video James Mack had made to accompany the song, I felt much more zen about it and have tried to own that vulnerability. I’m just not used to releasing slow sad songs - uptempo sad bangers is my safe space, and ‘Sadgirl’ is full of ‘em.
“I can defiantly say as a 31 year-old woman in the arts, I have never felt more in control and confident in my ability to do this.”
What are you most looking forward to about ‘Sadgirl’ finally being out in the world?
Aside from being able to say that I’m an ALBUM ARTIST?! I’m looking forward to people being able to understand why I took a sabbatical from the music industry for a few years. My mental health nose-dived and I was really unwell - completely unrecognisable if I’m honest - and once I started to feel better, I knew in order to vault-seal my depression, I had to write an album about the consequences of it.
My therapist had said that when you’re depressed, there is an element of grief. You grieve the person you were and the person that you could have become. I see every song on this record as a different stage of that grief and I’m really grateful I got the chance to make it, let alone share it with the world.
As you’ve mentioned, you’re no stranger to the music industry, having first started out a decade ago. Can you tell us a bit about your route to getting to this point, and any key lessons you’ve learned along the way?
The industry has changed dramatically in ten years but the patriarchy would still have us believe that once women reach a certain age, they are no longer relevant or desirable - I’m looking at you, major record labels… however, I can defiantly say as a 31 year-old woman in the arts, I have never felt more in control and confident in my ability to do this. I have become immeasurably more interesting (and happy) since I stopped giving a shit what people think about me, or what I should be doing or where I should be in my music career. There is no ‘best before’ date my dudes!
What’s your worst musical habit?
Replaying a song I love over and over again until I inevitably hate it. That and the fact that if I ever miss a note when singing, I pull the most disgusted face, so it’s immediately obvious to all that I’ve just fluffed it.
Finally, DIY is coming round for dinner - what are you making?
Oh, firstly, you’re absolutely welcome to come for dinner - just tell me when! Secondly, how does a shredded chicken panang curry sound?
‘Sadgirl’ is out now via Nettwerk Music Group.
Records, etc at
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