With the start of her music career taking off, Tildy has been working on her debut single Art for just over a year, which she released on streaming platforms on Saturday 1st June, and she has been collaborating with songwriter and producer Darren Martyn. As a child actor, Tildy made her professional stage debut as Honor Carney in The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End in 2017, and she stayed in the production for nine months, and she was part of the UK Tour of Nativity! The Musical. We caught up with Tildy about releasing her debut single Art earlier this month, collaborating with songwriter and producer Darren Martyn and performing in The Ferryman and Nativity! The Musical on stage.

Can you tell us about your debut single Art, which was released on Saturday 1st June 2024?

Releasing a song was both exciting and nerve-racking. I wanted my first single to be relatable and impactful to the majority of people listening, so Art is about the pressures of beauty standards, and how stressful they can become. As a teenager of today’s world, I feel as if it is compulsory to wear makeup every day, and if I don’t I can feel quite uncomfortable and gross, which is terribly sad. Art is my way of combating these pressures and is my own guide to release myself from the “beauty standard” circle.

How long have you been working on Art and what was the song like to write?

I began working on Art in the May of 2023, so it has taken just over a year for it to be released. I am a bit of a perfectionist and so there were many times where I would enter the studio with completely new ideas. Overall I believe I had seven different versions of the song! I found it quite easy to create the lyrics since the topic of the song was very relatable to me, and therefore the lines came naturally, which was very helpful.

Is there anything you have enjoyed most about recording your debut single and how do you feel now it’s released?

I spent a lot of time perfecting the lyrics so that they were not only meaningful, but also had hidden meanings. I have found it extremely rewarding when people pick up on those hidden meanings and question me about them, as it indicates to me that people have found interest within the song. When recording, it was really fun to have my younger sister involved, Josie, as we recorded her doing the ‘lip pop’ sound in the track. It is very funny to see her boast to others that the sound came from her every time we listen to the song!

What do you hope listeners take from the song and who do you think your music will appeal to?

Like myself, I really hope that people, especially people of my age, can begin to accept themselves for who they are and not constantly feel that they have to apply multiple layers of makeup to be accepted by others, or look presentable.

You have collaborated on your music with songwriter and producer Darren Martyn, how was this?

I really enjoyed working with Darren as it gave me an insight into what the music industry is like. He has had many years in the profession and so it was lovely to not only work with him, but also learn from him. I also have to thank Billy & Louie Hughes as, without them, I would have never been able to get in contact with Darren in the first place.

As a child actor, you made your professional theatre debut as Honor Carney in The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End in 2017, what are some of your favourite memories from performing in the show?

The Ferryman is one of my favourite experiences as I got to spend nine months doing what I love best to different people every night. I met some lovely friends there who will always be close to my heart. Being eight years old, learning an Irish accent and even having to swear a couple of times throughout the play was very exciting for me then. However, I do believe that one of the reasons I loved it so much was because of the many times my grandma and I would run to Chinatown to grab a bubble waffle with ice cream after the show!

We understand you were also part of the UK Tour of Nativity! The Musical, what do you remember most from working on the production?

This contract was much shorter than The Ferryman and it was a completely different style of show, so it was extremely fun to throw myself into the musical theatre style, which I had trained in from a young age. I loved wearing a massive star-shaped hat on my head in the hit song, Sparkle and Shine!

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you start?

I am actually uncertain as to where it has come from since none of my family are in or interested in a performing career. I have always loved performing and I think my love for it has grown since my family are so supportive of me pursuing a career in it.

What are some of your favourite music artists to listen to?

For the past couple of years, I have been heavily inspired by RAYE, who I believe is a music genius who sometimes doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. I am obsessed with her debut album My 21st Century Blues and I couldn’t wait to hear her new single Genesis, which was released last week. I have actually had the luck of meeting RAYE a year ago and she was the most wholesome and genuine person I have ever met.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I am involved in many clubs outside of school and so free time is quite rare for me, and when I do have free time, I usually spend it doing extra homework or revision. I am a bit of a geek! My favourite thing to do is spend time with my family, since we all have such a tight bond, which I am very grateful for.

What are you hoping 2024 brings for you?

With the start of my music career taking off, I am hoping that I can release more music for people to enjoy, in the hope that I meet new people that have the same passion as I do.

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