Who are you and Where are you from?

My name is Kizzy Meriel Crawford, I am a 17 year old Welsh/Bajan, bilingual songstress. I was born in Oxford but moved to West Wales when I was 3, and now live in Merthyr Tydfil.

How did you get into playing music?

When I was little, I used to sing along to my parents music and there is a video of me singing Steely Dan tracks into a toy mike when I was about 3 - getting all the words wrong !

When we moved to Wales, I really enjoyed the school Eisteddfod and my mum couldn't believe how someone as shy as me was so happy to sing on the stage in front of everyone. I was lucky to get the chance to learn violin in school when I was 7, I didn't choose that instrument, but this was what was on offer and I grabbed the chance. I would have grabbed the chance for any grown up instrument ! I loved playing in the orchestra and had a lovely teacher called Mr Cooper - if you're reading this "Big Thanks!"

I taught myself guitar after I bought one from Argos with my birthday money. I was originally writing songs for my sister to sing, but she didn't think my stuff was her style, so I ended up singing them myself. I hadn't really sung since leaving junior school up until then. It was after spending a couple of summers driving around with my family, going to festivals and camping, and really listening to tons of different music of my mothers on the car stereo. I started to get interested in the way tracks I liked were constructed - listening to production, lyrics and chords, and noticing the common features of what was actually a very diverse selection of artists ! I used to try out different tunings and chords on the guitar and try to find the ones that gave me the physical and emotional responses. We've often talked about music in those terms as a family, and actually have our own words which we all understand as describing a particular response certain chord changes, harmonies and melodies bring out in us !

How would you describe your music style?

Its a fusion of folk, soul, jazz and funk – Welsh folk, Welsh language, which to me is very very important, but also English traditional. And full on old school funk !!!! Unique stuff. I’m not really “like” anyone else,and that’s important to me. I am me, with my own identity.

I admire female artists like Kate Bush, Bjork and Sinead O Connor ,who say what they want, even though that may be unconventional or difficult for others to hear or categorise. They do not have a conventional "image' and change and evolve as we all do throughout life,expressing and demonstrating this through their music.

I don't want to be defined and categorised at this age and stage of my career, I will keep evolving, learning and developing, and I will define myself.

Who are your musical influences?

I grew up listening to the music my parents played. My mum always played a lot of jazz, folk, and 60's/70's stuff like Nick Drake, Steely Dan Kate Bush, Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, Seal, Carpenters, Joni Mitchell and my dad played a lot of soul, reggae and old school funk like Roy Ayers ,Jamiroquai, Bob Marley, Carroll Thompson, Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross. I listen to Corrinne Bailey Rae, Feist, Massive Attack, Erykah Badu, Lianne La Havas, Omar, Frank Ocean, Jill Scott, Imogen Heap, Sara Tavares, . I think loads of these sounds can be heard in my songs.

What’s been your best live experience?

Last year, I was at Maes B and Ponty's Big Weekend, and also the WOMEX fringe in Cardiff - which was amazing. Playing to such big audiences was a whole new experience - scary at first, but something I'd like to have more opportunity for in the future.

What are you working on at the moment?

Im going to record a new EP, which will include some of the new sounds I've been performing live recently on my Loop pedal. I have been trying a different sound,which comes from some new and different inspirations. I will do a series of shows with my band, and will perform at many festivals in the summer!

Where can people hear your music?

I share some of the sounds Ive recorded and produced at home on my Soundcloud page and I also have shared some of my homemade music videos as well as professional ones on Youtube!

https://soundcloud.com/kizzymerielcrawford

http://www.youtube.com/user/KizzKez

You can follow me on twitter and Facebook for gigs, news and updates.

My new EP, 'Temporary Zone' is out on Bandcamp and iTunes.

Where can we see you live?

I am currently performing a lot around Wales in small intimate venues and theatres. I will be also performing at many festivals during the Summer. Go to my website kizzyofficial.com to check out all my live dates!

What can we expect from your forthcoming Blackwood Gig?

A chilled start off with some of my folky, jazzy, soul numbers leading into a lively finale on my loop pedal of some of my funkier and experimental sounds.