Nell Davies is an indie singer, songwriter and guitarist, based in rural west Cornwall. Her music is inspired by acts including the Buzzcocks, Helen Love and Sleater-Kinney, while her lyrics combine bittersweet humour with melancholy and disarming honesty.
Nell began making music in 2020, when reading Viv Albertine’s autobiography inspired her to buy a guitar and write her first song. She records in a converted pigsty on her smallholding in Cornwall and produces her songs herself.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Nell about the latest releases (Everything and Nothing, What The Heart Wants), motivations, music memories and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
What’s something you’d like readers to know about your latest project?
My latest single, Everything and Nothing, is a punky indie-pop song about the absurdity of being completely besotted with someone.
How does this project compare with your other release(s)? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?
It’s my one and only attempt at writing a love song. I was trying to write Teenage Kicks, but, as usual, it went a bit wrong, hopefully in an interesting way.
What motivates you to create music?
I think I have a different perspective on the world to a lot of songwriters. I didn’t start making music until just over a year ago, because up until then I hadn’t really felt I had anything to say, or if I did I didn’t know how to say it and was too paralysed with worrying about what people would think of me to even try. Then I had a bit of a midlife crisis, decided actually I had loads to say about my life and experiences, and the world in general, and realised I no longer cared much if people didn’t like it/me.
What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?
My earliest memory (musical or otherwise) is of watching a group of kids perform Brown Girl in the Ring at my local park, the summer before I turned two. I thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever seen, although, to be fair, I hadn’t seen much.
All my other early musical memories involve The Beatles. I grew up in Liverpool in the 80s, which was a depressing, hopeless place. There was a general sense that everything good was in the past and modern life wasn’t really worth bothering with, and the fact that my teachers and parents were still banging on about The Beatles was a big part of that. I still dislike the Beatles intensely for this reason, which is possibly a bit unfair on them but I’m sure they’ll cope. That sense of hopelessness probably did drive me to want to be creative, now I come to think about it.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
When I was in the depths of my midlife crisis, the thing that inspired me to write songs and see if I could sing them was reading Viv Albertine’s autobiography, so I should probably say her. Mainly I’d just like to hang out with her and try to persuade her to be my friend.
What was the last song you listened to? And who is one of your favorite all-time bands/artists?
I listened to the Wet Leg album when I was out running this morning. I got chased across a field by a herd of cows and managed to repel them by singing the chorus of Chaise Longue in an aggressive fashion. My favourite band of all time is the Manic Street Preachers.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
Sign up for my mailing list at www.nelldavies.com, or I’m @nell_davies_music on Insta, @nelldaviesmusic on Twitter and Facebook, or just follow me on Spotify or YouTube. God, I’m everywhere. You’re doing well if you manage to avoid me.
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
My new single, What the Heart Wants, is out on 5 Aug. It’s a sad song about lost friendships – no stupid/clever jokes in this one.
