Introducing Delilah Montagu and her mesmerising debut EP, In Gold

Delilah Montagu is something special. In her writing process, she takes influence from both your Bob Dylan’s and your Billie Eilish’s, incorporating two very different styles together with jigsaw precision as she takes old, romanticised shadings and brings them forward to the future. It’s a refined approach the young, London-based musician has spent years perfecting, and it’s something front and centre on her debut EP In Gold, which with its arrival today, also brings the arrival of an artist sure to blossom in our industry.

Spanning four tracks, In Gold is an exploration into the many talents of Delilah Montagu, who as a multi-faceted musician making her welcome, is striving. Built over five years, the EP spans her growth as a musician and person in general, tackling the highs and lows of growing up above sparse piano ballads and enveloping grooves alike. In it, she moves between sounds and styles - indie, pop, R&B, soul - but tackles each one with a signature Montagu touch built from diving into those earlier musicians, adding a particular sheen to each track that puts her in her own lane.

“It's about discovery, change and being in a new place,” she says on the EP, and its larger meanings. “It's exciting and it's safe; protected and loved and warm.” Dive into the EP below, and while you’re there, introduce yourself to the artist-on-the-rise below.

Tell us about yourself?

I’m 21, I live in London and I’ve always written music, since I was about six. I grew up in the countryside surrounded by very bohemian, artistic people which gave me a lot of freedom to write and be creative from a very young age.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

I’d say it’s a mash-up of Carole King, Frank Ocean, Sade and Kadhja Bonet.

I’m very influenced by classic songwriters but I like presenting the songs in a way that doesn’t feel retro. I’m just obsessed with proper songs.

What are your production and writing processes like?

I write a lot on my own, but also collaborate with other people. When I write I sit down at the guitar or piano and write the lyrics as I sing the melody, so it all happens at once. I rarely do them separately.

The production process is fun, we usually just listen to the song a lot of times, and record a piano vocal first, then work around that so that the production is enhancing the song and what’s already there when it’s just me, rather than taking over.

Can you tell us about your new EP, In Gold?

I’m very proud of this EP. It means a lot to me because all of the songs were written about different specific times in my life, and they all sum up how I was feeling over that time. The oldest song is five years old and the newest only a few months so they all feel very different and I have a special relationship with each of them for different reasons.

The new EP marks a lot of firsts for you – first EP, first studio sessions, first collaborations and so on. What have you taken away from the experience, and what have been some of the learning lessons involved?

I have learned so much from the whole process. I’ve realised that I need to be less hard on myself and that actually letting other people into the creative process can be a really beautiful thing because there is so much that I will never be able to see when it’s just me, so having some perspective has been great.

Any tour dates coming up?

No Australian tour dates coming up yet! I just played north, south, east and west London, but there is nothing else planned yet apart from some festivals.

What does 2019 have in store for you?

I am recording a second EP and writing for my first album! I’m very excited about this year because I’m hoping to play more gigs too and it’s just been so nice finally releasing my music, because it feels like I’ve been doing it for so long.

Where can we find more of your music?

My music is on all streaming services!

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