First of all, how best would you describe your sound for those who may not have heard your vocal yet?
Hollie Stephenson
I guess the only way I could describe it is honest. When I sing, I honestly feel like I'm purging and cleansing my entire body. So yeah, I'd describe it as honest - I didn't choose it, it's just the sound of what's inside of me coming out.
What is it about the world of music that you love?
I like music because it's the one thing that I can truly connect with, I feel like music and I have a mutual understanding of each other.
Tell us about your first gig which you played aged 12.
The first gig I did was actually really terrible. I had written my first song that same day, and that's why I did the gig - because I was proud of it and wanted to sing it to people… but i forgot it and just sang the same line about a million times for about five minutes or something. The audience were very lovely, and so I went home and actually learnt the song to sing the next night.
How were you discovered by your manager Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics?
A YouTube video of me singing that was posted on Twitter and Dave saw it, and I guess he liked it, because he got in touch. I don't really remember, I was only 13 and my mum didn't tell me straight away because she was hoping that my love for music was a passing phase, and I'd go back to being an aspiring cardiologist.
Why did you choose to release 'Pointless Rebellion' as your debut single this August?
It's amongst my earlier songs, so it makes sense as the first release… It just feels right.
What creative process have you gone through to make your first album?
Well I'm a creative person, so the process of making the album has been a very natural one. But I don't see it as a creative process as such, it's just the way I live my life - the only way I know how to live. I've just been extremely fortunate to have the people I have had around me to support, inspire and nurture my creativity.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
Obviously I want to be involved in every step of the process, as far as I'm concerned it's my child. But I don't want to be a possessive and overly protective mother - it's important to collaborate with other musicians. So sometimes you have to give a little control away, but letting go has been something that I've had to learn to do and continue to work on.
What inspires or influences you when you're making music?
It can be anything really - anything coupled with a strong emotion. I get ideas from listening to music and observing the life around me, I get the sentiment when emotions become too much to contain inside.
What aims and aspirations do you have for your career?
My aim in life is to play live gigs to lots of people, and to make people happy. I just want to know that old school music is still definitely in the present.
Who in the industry would you love to work with in the future and why?
I would absolutely love to work with Paolo Nutini - ask Dave Stewart aka wedding planner.
Finally what's next for you?
Really just to continue making and playing music… And working my little job on the side until I can sustain what I do through music and then I can focus on music one hundred per cent.
Hollie Stephenson's debut album will be released later this summer.