Scout is an up-and-coming indie artist based in London. She has just returned from tour with Dolores Forever this month and is set to release her second EP on 1 March next year, exactly one year after her first. She has already released two songs from the EP 'Winner' and 'Fine Line' which are so brilliant, I was so excited to interview her. It was so interesting being able to talk through their writing process, how they’ve grown as an artist and bond over our mutual love for The Japanese House!
R: To start things off, I have to ask how you came up with the name ‘Scout’?
S: “One of the things I always craved the most growing up was the power and freedom that comes by being exactly who I want to be in this world, for me that is something that hasn't always been an easy journey but Scout is an outlet for that. The inspiration came from the character Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, in the way that she chooses a name for herself. I think there's a lot of power in that, reinventing and creating something for just yourself. That symbolism was and is something I've been very drawn to overall.”
R: Obviously you’ve cited influences from many artists like The Japanese House, The 1975, Phoebe Bridgers and Caroline Polachek. I too am a massive fan of all of these but especially, The Japanese House! What aspect of her music did you love so much?
S: “I think for me a lot is in the storytelling! I listen to so much different music and the beauty of it is that there's song and artist for every minute of my life depending on where I'm at. I love how a lot of Amber's (the lead singer of The Japanese House) music is very direct, yet super layered. She's just a phenomenal writer and performer overall.”
R: I absolutely agree, I also have to ask… what is your favourite song of Amber’s?
S: “Super hard to pick one! I was going through a big throw back phase lately, getting obsessed with "Face Like Thunder" again. It's such a tune. Recently also been obsessed with Dionne (feat. Justin Vernon) which I think is such a beautiful song.”
R: You’ve now moved back to London from LA, what is the biggest difference between the music industries in the cities?
S: “I think how you perceive them is more a reflection on where you're at in life and your career at the time. If you're on a roll and people want what you can offer you're gonna have a very different experience compared to if you're in a place of figuring it out for example. Personally I felt more vulnerable in LA than in London, London feels like home in a way LA didn't feel that at the time at least.”
R: Winner is somehow quite an angry but reflective track, I personally find it very relatable, can you enlighten us as to what it is about?
S: “Totally. One of the hardest things is giving yourself the closure you never got. For me it used to be a pretty all consuming feeling to a point where it was only detrimental and I kept going in circles about it. I have so much empathy and respect for people going through similar situations and lessons in life where the other part offers no closure or resolution and the impact of how things went down mainly lands on one person to solve and recover from. For me it's about someone I used to work with and it was cathartic to write.”
R: I love your lyrics in ‘Hurt’ where you say “trying to say it's not a big deal, but what if it should be?” You seem to have a lot of themes about ignoring and downplaying your emotions. How has music helped to work through this?
S: “Love that you picked up on that! It's a pattern I'm working on breaking. I think we're in this epidemic of viewing emotions and feelings, unless positive, as inconvenient and 'bad'. I'm still pretty desperate to be perceived as chill and cool about just about everything - if I wasn't transparent with that I'd be doing myself and others a great disservice but I'm also a big advocate for feeling your feelings. It's a very human aspect of the human experience to feel and care about things and for me music is a vessel I can use to process and reflect things back at myself but also share it with others.”
R: Next month you’re on tour with Dolores Forever. In the future, who is your dream artist to open for?
S: “They're amazing! I'm so excited. I didn't manage to get tickets for either Charli XCX or Sabrina Carpenter, but if either of them could find time in their calendar that'd be sick.”
R: I’m so excited for your EP next March, but out of the four tracks on there, which one is your favourite?
S: “Thank you! It really keeps changing with the mood of the day. I'm doing a lot of tour practice now and have been loving a track called ‘Change Your Mind’ which is really fun to play live.”
R: Can we expect some headline shows from you after your tour with Dolores Forever? What is next for Scout?
S: “Yes absolutely, lots in the pipeline! I'm in fact announcing something this coming week so keep an eye out!”
Scout is such a hidden gem in the indie scene and it was such a privilege to be able to interview her! Check out their Instagram: @scout4ever for updates, she has just announced a solo show at The Grace, London on 19 February 2025.
