Q&A: Carley Varley
Written By Bree Castillo
UNAPOLOGETICALLY UPBEAT - From starting as a cover artist in the streets of Lymington to releasing her first EP, Carley Varley is far from a newcomer to the world of music. The Dorset, England native’s unique sound turns heads and is impossible to not dance to! With her first single, ‘Won’t Say Sorry,’ she is definitely on our watch list. Keep reading for more about Carley Varley’s musical journey to a full time musician and her upcoming EP.
LUNA: For people who may not have heard your debut single, "Won’t say Sorry,” how would you describe your music?
Carley: I would describe my music as unique, I always try to write about situations that everyone finds themselves in but that not many artists write about. My music is upbeat, has some attitude and it reflects my journey through life.
LUNA: What artists have influenced your sound? Who are you listening to right now?
CARLEY: I have always loved rock groups like Paramore, Linkin Park and Evanescence! These groups inspire me the most. I do listen to many genres of music so I feel the different styles have influenced my writing and music.
LUNA: This summer you are releasing Captured Moments; what was your inspiration for this EP?
CARLEY: So my inspiration for Captured Memories was really my family and friends. I always wanted to release music but due to fear I never did. When I began writing I felt relieved and like I should have been releasing music for years! The EP just needed to happen, I feel that it inspired my creativity even more! I am currently working on the next one as we speak!
LUNA: We are very excited for you second track, "Honest Conflict", which is dropping on July 31st. How did you approach writing your own music?
CARLEY: "Honest Conflict" was in the honesty a track that I was quite scared to release! It is very different but lyrically it is so powerful. It’s about rumours and having intentional conversations which I feel is something that in my generation needs to be done more. I approached writing my own music in a very relaxed way - I sat at my piano and came up with a few hooks. The best hook was the chorus of "Honest Conflict" which I randomly sang dancing in my kitchen! My songs are mostly made by me goofing around and then saying 'Ohhh thats catchy!'
LUNA: What was your experience like transitioning to a full time musician? What advice would you give to your younger self and to aspiring musicians now?
CARLEY: Going from University and part-time jobs to being a full-time musician has been one of the most scary but wonderful journeys of my life. It felt wrong in a way at first because I was doing what I love and not many people get to do that - because I am having fun I sometimes forget its a job!! On the other hand it felt right, I think the only thing that makes the job difficult is that I put a lot of pressure on myself. My advice is anyone working towards their dreams in music is just don't quit. If you are struggling, keep going and get people around you who love and encourage you. I suffered so much discouragement in my younger days and if it wasn't for my friends and family I'd of never picked up a guitar again after being bullied at school. People can be hateful but just focus on what you want to achieve. Focus on your future and the music you want to make. I have and I've never looked back! The advice I would give to my younger self would be 'don't stress so much and just enjoy it' because I got where I am meant to be regardless of how much I worried!
LUNA: You have performed in amazing venues like The Waldorf and the Ritz in London. What has been your most memorable performance so far?
CARLEY: Yes! Those venues were absolutely stunning and I am so grateful to The Venus Awards for asking me to come at perform at their events! I don't think I have a favourite gig moment, they are all so different and brilliant for many reasons. One that sprung to mind was performing at Arch Revival Festival - there were a group of young girls who watched me start to finish and threw paper as confetti at me! I absolutely melted and they said they wanted to learn to play instruments too, that is the dream really to inspire others!
LUNA: What is next for Carley Varley?
CARLEY: Wow! What is next, that is a good question! As I said I am planning on releasing even more music, I hope to perform at bigger festivals and I am looking to grow even more as a musician and get a band behind me. It takes time but I am so excited for the next few years of my career as a musician!
