IT's proving to be a fruitful year for 21-year-old Blackpool-born singer-songwriter, Rae Morris.
"I'd go catch a film at the Cornerhouse, maybe a gig after that on Oldham Street at Night 'n' Day or The Castle. Then to finish Matt and Phreds for some jazz later on. Perfect day."
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Headline slots on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival, support gigs for Paolo Nutini and George Ezra and collaborations with Bombay Bicycle Club and Clean Bandit including an appearance on Jools Holland, around 2m hits amassed on Youtube and a 'Hottest Track In The World' gold star sticker from radio's most agitable man, Zane Lowe.
Morris is edging dangerously close to household nameability.
During her musically formative years Morris gigged relentlessly across the North West, her tireless parents ferrying her from college to pubs in Manchester, Liverpool and Bolton for £50 a pop.
Here's Rae Morris' Manchester:
You’ve played countless gigs in Manchester over the years, which venue has been your favourite to play?
Playing the Albert Hall with Bombay Bicycle Club in March felt incredibly special. That venue has such a wonderful feeling about it – like we'd all gone back in time.
What's the best gig you’ve seen in the city?
One of the first ever gigs I ever went to was Coldplay at the MEN Arena, and then a few years later at Old Trafford. They were two of my first experiences of huge production shows and I remember feeling like I’d discovered this whole new world.
You’ve just headlined the Reading Leeds BBC Introducing Stage – do you have a favourite festival?
Leeds Festival has a very dear place in my heart, being the first ever festival I went to at sixteen. Returning to headline was a very big deal for me. I'd say my favourite this year was Kendal Calling - my band and I had such a great gig and it felt very close to home.
You’ve banked around 2m Youtube hits, had some major collaborations and appeared on Jools Holland this year – can 2015 be the 'BIG' year?
Well if 2015 is anything like this year I will be over the moon. I feel 2015 is going to be special as it'll be the year that my debut album will come out in January. That's a huge deal to me.
Favourite song ever?
That'd have to be Cloudbusting by Kate Bush. I went to see her the other day and sobbed so hard when she played it.
If you could have one full and free day in Manchester, how would you fill it?
I have some amazing memories of days in Manchester as a teenager. I'd probably firstly go brunch in the Northern Quarter, wander the shops and run up and down the stairs of Afflecks Palace. Then I'd go catch a film at the Cornerhouse, maybe a gig after that on Oldham Street at Night 'n' Day or The Castle. Then to finish Matt and Phreds for some jazz later on. Perfect day.
Rae Morris' new EP Closer is out on 22 October. Her album will follow in January 2015.
Morris plays the Deaf Institute on Friday 19 September.
Rae Morris
