Get To Know... Mychelle • Neu • DIY Magazine

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.

For London locals, Mychelle may well already be a familiar name, her soulful, silky smooth mediations on life and love having been a staple of Hackney’s vibrant creative scene for the past five years. Armed with seemingly effortless, sun-drenched vocals and a twin passion for fitness (how many other artists do you know who hold 5k run release parties?), she’s now on the brink of unveiling her debut album, ‘Good Day’ - the latest in a string of acclaimed projects that have taken her from busking on the streets of London to being Jorja Smith’s labelmate and support act.

Ahead of the record’s release, we catch Mychelle to chat X Factor, Eastenders, pre-show karaoke and more…

You’re London born and raised - musically, what was it like growing up there? Do you feel like the city’s scene has changed much since you first started out?
It was so fun and exciting not only because I grew up in London, but because I grew up in Hackney! Hackney is a place full of culture and creativity. I grew up around so many talented people from such a young age. My school, Stoke Newington school, really supported me when it came to music. I also went to a hub in Hackney called Rising Tide which provided a music space and opportunities for young people in the borough. That is still going today and is run by my friend Jermain Jackman, who I grew up singing with.

What was the first song or album you first developed an obsession for (and why)?
So I grew up mainly listening to the radio, but the first album I can remember being completely obsessed with that belonged to me was Leona Lewis’ ‘Spirit’. X Factor was everything growing up - me and my best friend were obsessed. We were huge fans of Leona Lewis, plus she was local so it was such a big inspiration.

You’re just about to release your debut album, ‘Good Day’ - congrats! A recurring theme of the record is the idea of evolution or transit, as, for you, this is often when inspiration strikes. Why do you think this? Has your creative process always worked this way?
I think when I’m not overthinking, that’s when ideas come to me – when I’m in my own world. When this happens, I try to document ideas so I can go back to create a song. I’ve always done this. So many voice notes have been abandoned and are still waiting to be a songs… it’s good that I’ve managed to create a couple of songs on the project from these voice notes.

Your last project, ‘Me & Gaz’, came out in 2023. Does ‘Good Day’ find you in a different headspace - artistically or personally - to where you were then? What do you think has changed between the two releases?
‘Me & Gaz’ was a project that came together off the back of me playing around with my guitar and writing songs acoustically, whereas with ‘Good Day’ I made this project inspired by music I like to listen to. I also tried to be more vocal with how I wanted the songs to sound; I am so bad at explaining, and it’s a funny journey getting there sometimes.

“Hackney is a place full of culture and creativity. I grew up around so many talented people from such a young age.”

Beyond music, what are the biggest influences on your songwriting? We’ve heard you’re a keen sports player, and can imagine those two passions share a lot of similarities…
Life, people, friends, television. After music, I love playing sports and I love Eastenders (hehe). I love the drama in Eastenders, and I guess songwriting can at times be the way I display the drama in my life. Sports is linked to music in that it is an outlet to let go of any bad energy - I always feel good afterwards.

You’re set to hit the road later this year to support Jorja Smith on tour! For someone who’s performed in all manner of spaces, from street busking to festival tents, how do you go about gearing up for live shows? Do you have any special rituals or routines? And, once you’re on stage, is there anything in particular people should expect from a Mychelle gig?
So before a show, when I can, I have to do some sort of exercise - I need that self-care me time. In the dressing room I end up doing karaoke before, singing along to songs whilst I get ready to go on stage. This can be anything depending on how I’m feeling that day. I don’t like to overthink too much before I go onstage - that’s how I avoid nerves. On stage, expect… hopefully not a mistake!

If you could collaborate with any musician from the past 20 years, who would it be (and why)?
Oooh, okay… it would have to be me and Bob Marley. I can picture us in the studio, writing a beautiful song together. Then we head to the park, kick a ball around for a bit, and afterwards sit under a tree, singing the song we made. We look at each other like: “Yep, we still love it - even after taking a break to play football.”

Finally, DIY is coming round for dinner - what are you making?
I like this question. Well, at the moment, I’ve just come back from Spain and I’m obsessed with making spinach and chickpeas, tomatoes and empanadas. So I’ll probably make that.

‘Good Day’ is out on 30th April via FAMM.

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