- Words Notion Staff
Cementing his position as a breakout star, Henry Moodie discusses high-profile support sets, how to resonate on TikTok and more.
Looking at love in some of its most heartbreaking forms, Henry Moodie is the singer-songwriter breaking the pop mould. With over 60 million Spotify streams on his first two singles, the talented artist has become relatable for so many. On “drunk text”, the Guildford native’s second release, he shows that now is just the tip of the iceberg for what will be an incredibly successful year ahead.
Supporting The Vamps and Mimi Webb, Henry is surrounding himself with a pool of pop talent, both new and old, who share his humble and welcoming characteristics. Having already sold out his own headline tour, the newcomer continues to show why he’s one of Britain’s most promising names.
“drunk text”, with its anthemic chorus, explores the idea of missing so much when staring at a phone screen. Released alongside candid visuals, the track taps into millennial habits whilst simultaneously analysing people’s promiscuity. Achieving so much in his early career, we caught Henry Moodie whilst his stocks continue to rise. He discusses everything from high-profile support sets to resonating through TikTok and how to be vulnerable.
Let’s take it back to the beginning – how did you first discover your talent for songwriting? And what does it mean to you?
I don’t think there was ever a lightbulb moment for me as such. I just slowly eased my way into it. I fell in love with writing songs when I was 11 – my songs were terrible back then – but it was like my version of a diary. I’ve been writing for years, but it hasn’t felt like there’s been a moment where it all clicked into place. For me, it’s almost like therapy, so it’s ongoing, and I also just find it so, so fun. When you’ve written a good song, it’s honestly the best feeling in the world – the serotonin, it’s crazy!
We’d love to know how you go about creating a song – what’s the process?
It normally starts with something that’s happened in my own life, or sometimes even from another song I’ve heard, maybe it’s a production thing. Then I get in the studio or just start at home, normally on the piano and often with the chorus first.
With “drunk text” I started with the chorus, it was literally the day after I had the experience, so I started with that. I write as much of it as I can in the moment. From there I might then collaborate with other songwriters and a producer and we’ll bounce ideas back and forth. I feel like for a lot of people, they write songs really quickly, but for me I always go back and change bits here and there to make sure it’s as personal as possible. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I want people to be able to relate to my songs and experiences.
“drunk text” takes a more vulnerable and raw approach to songwriting. How did it feel to release something so personal as one of your first releases?
I think by the time it was released I was happy for it to be out. I sat on that song for so long, I wrote it around May 2022, but I rewrote the verses in November. I then sat on it, and performed it a few times too, so by the time it was released, I was so confident and used to it that it probably wasn’t as scary as it would have been if I’d released it straight after writing it. It was still daunting, but I had to stay truthful to the fact that songwriting needs to be personal.
You’re only 18 but have said previously that your interest in music started even earlier in your childhood. How has your music evolved since you started?
I think in a lot of ways, I’ve kept it very similar – it’s still very vulnerable. My songs have become more polished, and better as time’s gone on though – thank god! I think the biggest change is when I first started writing at school in my lunch breaks, there wasn’t ever really a structure to the songs, whereas I have a different perspective going into it now.
I have a bigger-picture approach when writing now, but in a lot of ways my approach is still very much the same, and I’m still learning! The way I write songs is changing every day and it’s something I’m constantly developing.
Your music has really resonated with listeners on TikTok. How do you think social media has helped your career take off?
Social media has really helped my career take off. I’d been writing for years, studied at BIMM and even spent a short period of time in a band, and then on a whim, I started using TikTok in lockdown. I started doing videos where I’d change song lyrics. It was my way of trying to help people get through a hard time and connect when we couldn’t see each other face to face. From then it created a fanbase that in so many ways helped fuel my career, and even though social media can be toxic in a million ways, I have it to thank for so much.
What advice would you give to artists of a similar age trying to break out into the industry?
I feel like there’s so much I don’t know, but from what I do know, I would say really make sure you focus on staying true to yourself and that you’re prepared to work hard. It can sometimes be mentally challenging, going on tour and being away from friends and family, but I’m still very new to all of this, so I feel like I haven’t earned the right to give that advice yet.
You supported The Vamps on tour late last year. How did it feel for you to share the stage with a band that played such a huge role in the industry? Did you learn anything from them?
They were super humble, driven, down-to-earth and welcoming. That really inspired me because the most successful artists are the ones who don’t let their ego get in the way, stay with their friends and family and really know who they are. They’re also obviously insane performers too. The tours really helped me build on my stage presence and given me the drive to do arenas myself at some point in my life.
You’ve also just started touring with the sensational Mimi Webb, a fellow ‘bedroom-pop’ musician. What do you think draws people towards this genre of music?
I think its vulnerability, relatability and pop-banger essence. We love a good pop-banger. And Mimi works so, so hard, she puts so much into it, so I think people really appreciate that and notice it too.
You’ve cited musical inspirations such as Elton John, Adele, and Taylor Swift. How do you think these lyricists have helped shape the songwriter you are today?
I think all of them really inspire me to work on my storytelling. They all paint amazing pictures in their songs and the production really matches their lyrics and melodies too. I love the soulfulness of Adele, I love the different eras of Taylor Swift – it feels like you’re watching a different series from a movie franchise with every album, and obviously, Elton John is an absolute legend. I think all of them have been driven by their love of songwriting and ultimately that’s what drives me too.
And finally, what’s on the cards for you this year?
A lot! I’ve got my first-ever headline tour coming up, which I’m so excited for. It will be amazing to meet people who have bought tickets to see me perform – I can’t wait for that. I’ve also got more support tours coming up, as well as new music, and I’m going to be in the studio writing a lot.
Tickets to Henry’s biggest headline show to date are available here.
