A Quick Chat with Delilah Montagu
Over the past few months 22-year old Delilah Montagu has become one of our lockdown favourites. From keeping us entertained with her IG 'Quarantine Conversations', in which she interviews interesting and talented friends of hers (Bruno Major, Florence Kosky, Rhs Lewis...) to brightening our day with a (usually orange) Instagram post...to releasing her latest single that soundtracked most of July for us.
Her beautifully honest and raw songwriting draws inspiration from the likes of Carole King and Leonard Cohen whilst achieving a current, vibrant pop-py rhythm that makes you want to move and cry (at the same time?) We've had Version Of Me playing on loop since it was released back in June so are eagerly awaiting the release of her new single 'Loud' on September 11th...
We caught up with Delilah who took us through her life in music and lockdown emotions.
LB: Firstly, who did you grow up listening to? Who did your parents listen to?
DM: They listened to a lot of Carole King and Leonard Cohen.
Next up, do you remember the first album that you discovered on your own?
Regina Spector - Begin To Hope. I’m still a huge fan of her now, I remember idolising her at the time.
Do you have an artist or album that soundtracked your teenage years?
KT Tunstall - Eye To The Telescope.
Who's your favourite artist/band that you've seen live? Leonard Cohen hehe... What made them stand out?
His stage presence and lyrical genius.
And finally an artist/album that you've been listening to during lockdown?
Sampha!
Tell us about the writing process behind Version Of Me & how it feels to have it out in the world now. It must be wonderful!
It was a very honest process. I basically just had a huge conversation with Robin (Hannibal) and poured my soul out to him, and he wrote it all down. Those are pretty much the lyrics.
What advice do you have for those that are struggling with different versions of themselves & their personal identity? The only advice I can give is to be kind to yourself. I spent so many years feeling like I was ‘wrong’ or feeing like I wasn’t supported to think/feel certain things. As long as you’re doing your best and being as honest as you can be, you’re doing amazing.
Describe your lockdown in one sentence.
Very up and down... the most growth I’ve ever experienced.
Where have you been locking down?
In the countryside.
What have you been doing to stay sane?
Writing a lot of music!
Any new quarantine talents/hobbies you've picked up?
Boundaries!
What 1 positive thing are you taking out of lockdown?
The close connections I’ve made with my mum and girlfriend.
Why orange?
It makes me feel at home.
Dream collaborator?
Carole King!
We've been loving your Quarantine Conversations. Who else have you got lined up?
KT Tunstall, Tom Odell, Justin from the Vaccines, Billie Marten, Shura and more!
And finally... what do you listen to on the Last Bus home?
I’m listening to tapestry by Carole King ALWAYS!
