At only 19 years old, Sienna Wileman is creating a sound that is unapologetically hers. We caught up with the Swindon-bases musician to talk about her biggest inspirations, her experience as a singer-songwriter, the release of her latest single ‘Fears + Troubles’ and her self-made music video, produced with the help of her closest friends.
To anyone new to your music, name 3 words that best describe it?
Dreamy, Longing, Wistful
You started writing songs at 7 on the guitar. Do you remember the first one?
There is one distinct song I remember writing at that age but can't remember the name. I've always had a weird thing with growing up and getting closer to death, which is the concept for my song 'timeslips' so was definitely about that.
You released ‘Petals’ at just 14 years old. What do you remember about that day?
I remember going into school for the first time knowing what I wanted to do. My drama teacher played it on a massive screen at lunchtime and I felt like Taylor Swift.
Your lyrics come entirely from your own experiences. Is it ever hard to be that open?
Definitely, my first few songs were from my experiences of witnessing other people's lives, so coming to terms with my own beliefs and struggles was a struggle, but now I feel like I can be open, as the only person I'm facing is myself.
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Do you ever hold back a lyric because it feels too personal, or do you put it all in?
There definitely have been moments where I have been too dark or personal in a song and had to change it, however as I'm getting older I'm trying to process putting all my emotions in, without it hurting me as a person.
Which artists have shaped the way you write, and is there a song or album that changed how you think about songwriting?
My dad, Richard Wileman, shaped the way I write from hearing his songwriting from a very early age. However, two turning point songs in my teens was hearing Imogen Heap's 'Headlock' and Radiohead's 'Down Is the New Up' for the first time.
Are there any activities/interests you guys have aside from music that you feel helps creatively?
Watching movies! I take my Letterboxd profile very seriously. I try and go to the cinema once a week if I can as I feel it's so inspiring to watch people live out their dream.
You released ‘Fears + Troubles’ back in July, can you tell us a bit more about this track?
I wrote 'Fears + Troubles' in college when I had a LOT of crushes on people who did not like me back. The concept of the song revolves around me wanting to support those around me, even if they want nothing to do with me 'my love take your time when you aren't mine'. It was one of the first songs I wrote on guitar and played it live for about 3 years before actually recording and releasing it. It is one of my proudest achievements.
You made the accompanying music video entirely yourself. What was the concept, and how did it come together?
Me and my friends shot the video in Winchester. We didn't really have a plan apart from we wanted it to feel like a dream (and incorporate some dance). We went up St Catherines for the first location and got inspired by the views and it all spiraled from there!
What’s the one visual detail in the video you’re proudest of?
My best friend friend Lizzie who was the camera-woman for this video showed a really cool app called daz cam - allowing us to give the video, especially the dance sequence a more retro and nostalgic feel! Also the YouTube sparkly background was a neat addition (thanks to Lizzie again, who was inspired by a K-Pop album cover!) These two elements made it so much more dreamy like the song itself.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an independent artist at 19?
I get in my head a lot that I feel like I'm at the same place as I was at 14. But I know how much my music has changed and grown since then! I love being independent because I know everything I create is truly mine, but am still figuring out who I am as an artist at the moment.
You’re based in Wiltshire, away from the usual music hubs. How does that shape your music?
Being away from the usual music hubs has given me the greatest opportunity to experiment and discover my own sound and genre, being able to showcase it without too much comparison or pressure. I've grown up surrounded by such a supportive and diverse music scene in Swindon that I am so thankful for.
If I interviewed you again in five years, what would you hope I identify as the first clue to where you were headed?
I'd hope my originality and ambition translates to success like Joni Mitchell and Imogen Heap, where the most important part of the song is the lyricism that I hope more people will connect to.