After original forming her new project at the very start of the pandemic, emerging artist Third Girl From The Left has now unveiled her stunning debut EP 'Oxygen'.
Channelling a warm and wistful aesthetic throughout, 'Oxygen' makes for a wonderfully captivating introduction to her work so far. Bringing together a mix of trip-hop and folk-inspired intentions, breezy production, and her own haunting vocals at the helm, it feels like we are only just cracking the surface to what she is capable of.
So with the new EP available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her earliest beginnings and what has been inspiring her over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It has to be the guitar. I would have been about five or six, listening to my parents old vinyl 45’s with my older brother on a very fetching blue Dansette record player hearing Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash and The Beatles and being transported to different worlds. I probably didn’t even know they were guitar bands, but when my brother started learning guitar he taught me some chords and I started writing my own songs.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I was really into ETBTG and Paul Weller and I had a phase of obsessing over classic jazz singers like Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Julie London.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There is one song that is guaranteed to get me dancing. ‘I’m A Man’ by the Spencer Davis Group. It literally works a crazy voodoo magic on my feet, making me throw some totally inappropriate shapes. I’m a sucker for a Hammond organ. Two minutes forty-eight seconds of pure perfection. I would love to write a song that has that effect.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I always, always have to write lyrics with a pen and notebook, (hardback only!) it feels much more natural and my well worn thesaurus is never far away. I record lots of noodlings on my phone to get ideas down really quickly.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Jenny Beth, Black Midi, LICE I seem to be in a dark place musically but I’m quite happy, honest.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
I never really sit down to write about anyone specifically, it doesn’t happen like that for me, it tends to be more of an organic process but I would say that I’m certainly affected subconsciously by the people around me, so if they’re having a tough time or if they’ve done something amazing I’ll feel that and it will effect how I write. That goes for the lyrics and the atmosphere created in the music.
What has been the funniest or most unusual moment in your career so far?
A few years back I was gigging on the UK acoustic singer/songwriter pubs and club scene and was mistakenly booked by a traditional folk club who were expecting a similarly named bagpipe player! I did the gig, they clapped politely, I left. I never did get a second booking, can’t think why.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Nick Cave.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I can’t imagine music not being a part of my life.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Be true to yourself, be yourself.
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Third Girl From The Left's debut EP 'Oxygen' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in full via the player below.