ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – TILLY LOUISE
After smashing the 1-million-streams barrier on her debut EP earlier this week, there is no other emerging artist quite like Tilly Louise. Homegrown in Liverpool and raised on a diet of Paramore, Blondie and HAIM, Tilly takes the Alt-Pop genre and dips it in scouse charm to create something special – both on stage and in the studio.
A true representation of upcoming artists in the Liverpool scene, Tilly has worked from the ground up over the last few years, making her way through grassroot venues and support slots to European gigs and festivals… and the journey has only just begun. More people are joining the Tilly Louise Club daily, and you don’t want to miss out.
Super catchy guitar hooks, energy-filled melodies and heart-hitting lyrics are the foundations of Tilly’s discography. All wrapped in flawless production, radiating the feeling of letting yourself go. From the beginnings of her debut single ‘Be Like You’ in 2020, to the latest EP ‘Join the Club’ of 2023, you have a soundtrack to a coming-of-age film – navigating and observing the world in which we all live in. Battling themes of self-doubt, societal struggles and life experiences, there’s a Tilly track for whatever mood you’re in – and you know you’re in the safe and capable hands of an artist who puts any spare minute into their craft. With elements of both nostalgia and the modern day, Tilly’s sound is digestible for all; she leaves you well-fed on infectious synths, driven bass lines and enough energy to take on the world.
Surrounding herself with a tight-knit community of close friends and creatives, all of Tilly’s tracks are laced in true passion and a DIY-style edge. From recording in friends’ kitchens, to collaborating with as many people as possible, friends and fans alike feel a sense of belonging under Tilly Louise. Her merch is designed by local artists, her album art taken by her family, her shows promoted by her well-connected industry contacts; every Liverpool hometown gig is one big family reunion. Tilly shows that everything to become a successful popstar can be done on Scouse soil.
In an industry often dominated by major record labels, Tilly took matters into her own hands a few years ago. She founded her own independent label ‘The Beautiful People Club’, inviting the mix-match family of musicians she works with to tackle the ever-changing music industry together. Working with the likes of local artists Danelia, MAYBANK, Libby Akerman, Cherub Hands and Dee Rae, Tilly applies her genre-merging music production skills to bring their tracks to life. Taking a behind-the-scenes seat in these releases, it’s clear that Tilly is the full package when it comes to the modern-day artist, bridging the gap between industry professionals and upcoming artists.
As well as connecting deeply with Merseyside, Tilly’s self-proclaimed ‘club’ also stretches into many corners of the world. She has performed across Manchester, London and Paris, spreading the shimmery Pop-Rock tunes into every sticky-floored, underground venue that would listen. Over the summer period, the artist also took to Y Not? and 110 Above Festival, as well as ticking off a support slot for LA-based WALLICE and a UK tour ‘Tilly Louise and Friends – Live in Concert’.
With these gigs under her rhinestone belt, it’s no wonder that the conveniently titled ‘Join the Club’ EP surpassed 1,000,000 streams at the start of November. This four-track dose of escape and euphoria rounds up years of late-night gigs and early-morning road trips, into a compact burst of head-bobbing and arm-throwing goodness. From the heart-warming hug of ‘Baggy T-Shirt’, to the self-questioning ‘Own Worst Critic’ and ‘Make Me a Robot’, you’ll be humming these melodies to get you through the day. Tilly Louise’s ‘Join the Club’ is a true glimpse of Liverpool’s emerging music scene – go listen and unleash your inner fan-girl.
Written by Meg Shaw (Local & Live Media) (she/her)
Photos by Basia Krasowska
