There’s always something about being in London that feels a bit electric. You step off the train and suddenly everything feels faster, louder and alive with possibility. I’ll always be proud of being from Newcastle upon Tyne, but London definitely has its own kind of buzz and there’s a lot more opportunity than up north unfortunately.
The main reason for the trip was to jump into the studio with Roy Hay of Culture Club and Abbey Road Alumni Oscar Simons, polishing up a few tracks for the album. These sessions are always the fun part, where the songs really start to come alive. It’s less about writing from scratch and more about fine-tuning, adjusting little details, and chasing that moment where everything just clicks into place.
While I was in town we also planned a photo shoot with my social team at 1st Option Digital, which was great fun. The location was incredible with its diverse backdrops perfectly complementing my look, offering more than just a plain background. Sometimes a simple backdrop works just as well though but this place was spot on! To help pull the looks together I teamed up with fellow Geordie Anyanka Style, who absolutely nailed the wardrobe. It’s always nice bringing a bit of the North to London with you.
I met up with a few industry professionals for breakfast at no other than the Ivy… obviously got a full English! You’d think I was made of money because later that day my friend Afton McKeith insisted we go to Nobu. She’s always going on about it, saying I had to try it at least once, so I finally gave in. And I’ll be honest… it was something else. Incredible food, amazing atmosphere, the whole experience. Although I couldn’t help thinking it’s slightly different from grabbing a pasty from Greggs back up North.
All in all it was a brilliant trip. Great music sessions, good food, and even better company. It’s always nice heading down to London for a few days, but there’s nothing quite like being back in Newcastle. 🥰
