Millie Turner Swimming Pool Interview

Subtle Dreamy Pop

UK pop artist Millie Turner has burst onto the music scene with her new track "Swimming Pool", released through Kobalt/AWAL. As an artist, Millie Turner captivates with her amazing vocal ability. A storm in a teacup, her voice is able to conjure a raw primal energy and power, without leaving the hushed and breathy range that her music sits within.

"Swimming pool was based on a poem I wrote that tells a story of a group of kids that destroy this old historic building, setting it on fire, breaking down its traditional walls. They then escape from the chaos, retreating to the walls of the swimming pool. They stay there together, muffling out the sound of chaos outside. It's about rebellion, liberation and then escapism, stepping away and escaping in this swimming pool," said Turner.

Millie Turner was born and bred in London in the UK, into a very creative family, who she describes as "a bit weird". Influenced by the likes of Solange and Billie Eilish, her songs touch on the universal themes of hope, optimism, female empowerment and youthfulness, while telling stories in a unique, cinematic way to engage people from all walks of life.

Turner's music to date has been a feast for the eyes, as well as the ears, from the spectacular lo-fi visuals she co-directs for all of her music.  Turner's unique human storytelling combined with all her artistry beyond music creation (painting & illustration) are showcased in her debut EP and first two singles.

Turner's rise as a new artist to watch this year has been exceptional. She's garnered support across tastemaker media, including NME who marked her as One To Watch and BBC Radio 1 as one of their "Best New Pop" artists.

Interview with Millie Turner

Question: How would you describe your music?

Millie Turner: I would describe my music as a mesh of eclectic sounds that are happy being uncategorised.


Question: Can you tell us about Swimming Pool?

Millie Turner: Swimming Pool is my last release, I wrote it in the autumn of 2017.


Question: What inspired the song, Swimming Pool?

Millie Turner: Swimming Pool is based on this short story I wrote, it is about the relief after the rebellion, and these kids start a huge uprising, setting fire to the world, (metaphorically). Swimming Pool is set after this moment of power that floods them, as we they feel the relief of freedom after. The swimming pool represents this relief and peace they fall as they muffle out and escape, letting go of everything. On the borderline of safety, they drift with this feeling of power and letting go.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Millie Turner: I love a balance of both. Recording is much more of an intimate process, where I can create stories and an entire world that I've imagined in my head. But for live it's still intimate but you're connecting yourself to hundreds of people and sharing what you've created, which is such a privilege. Live is such a special way to be heard, and also to meet people who appreciate what you make.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Millie Turner: Sometimes ideas come from pictures or people I've met. It's very different depending on the song. I think living in London, where there's always something happening it's easy to be inspired, but also sometimes it's the small subtle things that make you want to write it all down. Like a passing comment someone says.

I think it comes from a place of not knowing how else to say something. A lot of my songs explain things that I don't know how else to put across to someone. It's another way to connect to people, which is why it's so personal.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Millie Turner: I've been listening to a lot of the old school blues, B.B King, Elmore James, J.J Cale. As well as Kate Bush and Blondie, I've been in a nostalgic mood


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Millie Turner: My inspiration was purely to create something, never even thought anyone would hear it that happened completely out of the blue. I make music and poetry and was putting things together with my producer David Turley, before I even thought of sharing it. And when I did the response was way more than I expected it was incredible.

Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Millie Turner: I'd love to work with Kendrick Lamar; I love his style, and want to know how he's able to do what he does.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Millie Turner: Very different, every day has its own thing going on. I try sing as much as I can, and if I'm recording I'll be in the studio, if I'm planning videos I'll stay at home with a book and try plan them out. But I always try and have a time for myself that isn't to do with music.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Millie Turner: I've loved to just make music, and create things that have helped me so much in the past few years. I don't know what I'd do without it.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Millie Turner: Instagram: @millieturner
Facebook: @millieturnr Twitter: @millieturnr


Interview by Brooke Hunter