Page 8 - Shapemag Issue 4

SHAPEMAG

LEE’S LIFE

RADIO HARTLEPOOL

SHAPEMAG is proud to feature our newest writer, Radio Hartlepool’s very own
Lee Theasby. This month features Lee’s interview with Elena Larkin.

my entire year group in our secondary school
talent show. It was scary but I loved it. I start-
ed writing music around the same time as the
singing competition.

Music runs throughout your family. Can you
tell us a bit about that?

Growing up I was surrounded by music. My
love for singing really came from when my
Nan and Grandad picked me up from primary
school. My Grandad would play retro music,
rock n roll, country, pop and he would always
be singing along. I remember one time, I was
trying to sing a song by the Chordettes and he
would listen to 7-year-old me trying to sing
along with the song “Lollipop” and he would
’ve had the pleasure of interviewing say “try it like this”. I always looked forward to
Elena Larkin a few times over the years those car rides home from school.
Ion Radio Hartlepool and I’m amazed at
how she’s not only a great singer but writes Do you feel that you’ve grown as a songwriter
a lot of material too. I’ve caught up with over the years and what’s your favourite one (so
Elena recently to talk about her influences, far)?
songwriting and Coronavirus.
Definitely! I always write about the things
How old were you when you first realised you that happen in and around my life, so my
were interested in performing and writing music? inspiration for writing comes from the same
place but how I write has definitely changed as
Performing is something I’ve always loved to I’ve learnt more about different writing styles.
do. My mam says I could sing before I could When I first began to write music, I would sit
talk and that I would put on little shows for my at a piano or with my guitar and play a few
family and friends. You would think I would chords until they sounded good together and
have sang in front of an audience when I was then work on the lyrics. Now, I can hear the
really young but my first solo performance exact melodies and instruments I want playing
wasn’t until I was 14. I was singing in front of in the song, and I always come up with either
an entire chorus or beginning line.
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