PIP MILLET

PIP MILLET, THE MANCUNIAN SINGERsongwriter who infuses soul, jazz and hip-hop beats into her raw and brutally honest music. It’s a stunning combination that is elevated by Millett’s stunning vocals that are forever soaring. There is real power felt throughout her music whilst being a sonically mellow experience, it’s a beautiful juxtaposition.

Millett has been on a road to triumph for the past few years, with a string of singles, such as the popular ‘Make Me Cry’, which is now sitting pretty with over 20 million Spotify streams. Pushing on with the momentum Pip has released her latest single ‘Downright’, a stunningly open track that truly boasts her eye-waveringly beautiful vocals. Following this she has also announced her headline UK tour for the Autumn and will be playing at this year’s Boardmasters Festival.

At only 24 years old, Pip Millett has achieved things that artists her age can only dream of and by the looks of it there’s a lot more to come in 2022 alone.

WORDS: KIERAN WEBBER PICTURES: CAL MCINTYRE

Hey Pip, thanks so much for chatting with us.

How’s 2022 treating you so far? Any highlights so far?

“2022 is treating me well so far. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year, but a highlight so far has been doing my recent live shows in Europe.”

You’ve got a busy year ahead, what are you most excited about and why?

“I’m most excited about releasing more music. It can be scary letting so many people in on such personal subjects’ musicwise, but there’s a definite feeling of freedom that comes with that.”

How long have you been creating music and what was the moment you knew you wanted to chase it as a career/lifestyle? “I started playing bass guitar when I was 13 so I’m guessing from then really (it’s a bit of a blur). I don’t know if there was ever one moment… it often feels like it just happened. When you love something so much you just keep doing it and keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in the hopes that someone might like it.”

At what point did you realise you were gaining momentum and how did that feel?

Its moments like performing on ‘Later With Jools Holland’ or selling out a show that it’s felt like that. I don’t think I’m always that aware of any momentum. I feel like

“IT CAN BE SCARY LETTING SO MANY PEOPLE IN ON SUCH PERSONAL SUBJECTS”

I’m often in my own bubble, which is maybe a good thing because it keeps me focused on actually making the music.”

Were there any artists that influenced you? If so who and why?

There are many artists that have influenced me. Anyone making music is surely influenced by another artist? I’ve been really

inspired by the sounds of older musicians like Bob Marley, Otis Redding etc.”

Do you ever get nervous about showing such vulnerability or do you feel empowered by it?

“I’m often pretty nervous about it to be honest.”

So, you’ve collaborated with artists such as ‘Ghetts’, but are there any others you’d like to share a track or two with?

“I’d really love to collaborate on a song with Nas or James Blake.”

You’re heading out on a few festival dates this year and we’re curious what are your essentials?

“Rum!” How do you prepare for a festival show? Is it different from playing in a venue?

“I kind of just try to stay as calm as possible until I’m up on stage.”

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

“A shot of Wray and Nephews with my band.”

Lastly, what can we expect from Pip for the rest of 2022 and beyond?

“Pretty surprises.”

You can catch Pip Millett at Boardmasters Festival on 14th August. She will also play Bristol SWX on 17th November as part of a newly-announced autumn tour. New single ‘Slow’ is out now and Pip will release her debut album via Sony Music later this year.

FEATURE FEET IN FALMOUTH

WORDS/PICTURES: KIERAN WEBBER

EATING PASTIES AND SINKING BEERS.

FEET return to Cornwall in delightful style.

Ahhhh Cornwall, the land of seagulls, pasties and Rick Steins overarching empire of fish and chips. It’s truly one of our nation’s most beautiful gems, and yes, I am slightly biased as a person that calls this promised land home. In recent years we’ve been working hard with BYP to cultivate and bring more live music to the local area and the opening of the iconic Cornish Bank, Falmouth has made this dream a true reality.

The last time CLUNK brought down FEET they played in a variety of small bars/venues, much has changed since then for us and them. They’re an album and EP deep now and their fan base appears to keep growing and growing. There’s no surprise though, they’re a lovely bunch of chaps who are all masters of their craft. You can’t help but fall into their boyish charms, high energy live performance, and tongue-in-cheek lyricism.

As we arrived at the venue we caught them loading in and preparing for soundcheck, the most important part of a show. After a satisfying blast through the speakers they were ready for grub, as a good Cornishman I obliged and took them to the closest pasty shop (or bakery for you fancy folk). Callum (guitarist) actually admitted to me that this was his first foray into the baked delicacy, thankfully it was smiles all round as the pockets of hot meat and pastry tickled his sweet belly. However, later on that night, just before they were set to play he was struck by pasty gut and deep visceral burps made their presence known.

We’ll turn that stomach to iron yet.

After a slog of a few beers and some footie action it was time for the band to head to the stage of the Cornish Bank. By this time support acts Facepaint and Factor 50 had warmed the eager, sell-out crowd. The lights dimmed, the decorated stage glowed with readiness for FEET, the crowd cheers and reached out for the band as they arrived. This was just the beginning of the onslaught of noise, movement, and fun that was about to be unleashed.

We were lucky enough to get some new songs thrown in which all went down a storm, peppered with their classics such as ‘English Weather’, ‘Peace & Quiet’, and ‘Petty Thieving’. Much has changed since the first time we saw FEET during a rainy Boardmasters performance, this is now a band that are fully confident in their sound, yet they’re still having just as much fun as when they started. It’s an incredibly infectious spectacle to watch that is sonically just as pleasing.

Long live FEET long may they reign.