Bristol based singer-songwriter Jodie Mellor is a rising star with her raw vocals and honest tales of being a herbal tea enthusiast in a world of pornstar martinis, is refreshing of a new, feel-good age. She is back with her brand-new single 'Central London' that is laced with tongue-in-cheek songwriting and the universal angst of twenty somethings; a perfect love song to get you out of your bedroom.
We sat down with Jodie Mellor to discuss the conversational, chill, and sweet feel on her latest single 'Central London, and much more. Here is what she had to say:
Hey Jodie, welcome to FLEX! How are you?
Hi! Thank you so much for having me. I’m great, thank you. Currently sitting on the sofa with green tea, so it couldn't be better.
Congratulations on your latest single 'Central London’ - what inspired this particular track? Thank you! Central London is about my long list of fears but how I would overcome them in a heartbeat if I had to do them for someone that I love. Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song? It’s definitely more inspired by different situations that I kept finding myself in. Verse 2 talks about being the only person left inside at a party (because everyone else is smoking) and this was referencing a particular moment that had stuck with me.
And do you have to be in a certain mood to write?
I’m always making notes of lines or recording melodies into my phone, but to sit down and write a song for myself I definitely have to be in a particular head space. I also like to be alone and most of the time it’s a late night, fairy lights kind of vibe.
Any plans to release any sort of video for the track?
Not at the moment. I released a music video for one of my releases, Struck Gold, in 2020 and absolutely loved the whole process and outcome, but this time round I’ve been focusing a lot more on short form videos and using it to give people more of an insight into my day to day life.
How was the recording and writing process?
It started as a voice note of the line ‘I would drive through central London for you’ which I recorded in February 2020. It stuck with me and I went back to it later in the year and finished it pretty much that day. I then produced a demo of the track for a university project in 2021 and began playing the track live, solo and with a band. The band arrangement inspired the final recording, which was produced in the spare bedroom of my flat by my boyfriend. I loved every second, as I can be completely myself with him in the creative space.
For viewers that don’t know Jodie Mellor, how would you describe your sound?
My sound, and particularly Central London, is definitely pop. My writing sometimes has a bit of a country influence too. My writing is always accompanied by acoustic guitar and is very vocal led with conversational, journal entry lyrics.
What’s the music scene like where you live?
I’m in Bristol, and the music scene here is incredible. There are always gigs to play at or watch and we even have a new arena on the way which I’m super excited for. I got to film a video in the empty hangars (soon to be arena) which was really cool. And what are some of those activities that you engage yourself in when you aren't writing or recording in the studio?
I love watching true crime documentaries, and I’ve kind of turned finding cool second hand furniture on Facebook marketplace into a hobby. I love going out for brunch with my friends and family and taking long drives just to listen to new music.