By Kate Davies
At the beginning of summer, we got the chance to sit down and chat to London-based, emerging indie pop artist, Angel Murray.
An expert multi-tasker, Angel balances her music career with her law degree, and in her first year has already built up a steady fanbase and gained recognition from BBC Introducing London.
Now releasing her new single Dreamt You as she gears up for her first live performance, Angel chats with Kate Davies about what inspired her to pursue music and the story behind her latest track.
KATE DAVIES
Hey Angel! First question: what do you think inspires you when you’re writing music?
ANGEL MURRAY
Mostly my own emotions and experiences. I actually used to write poetry for fun, since primary school, so I learned how to express myself coherently from a young age. I do usually write to a beat first; I find that it helps me to focus more on flow and structure. But inspiration can be random too, sometimes it’s something simple, sometimes it’s a really layered feeling that I can’t exactly describe with adjectives.
Interestingly, I did write a song recently based on a film that I found super intriguing which was fun because it wasn’t about me for once, haha. I think I’ll do more of that, maybe some less personal songs.
KATE DAVIES
So who would you say specifically inspired you? Who are you listening to at the moment?
ANGEL MURRAY
I have such varied inspirations! I grew up surrounded by music, from reggae – thanks to my Jamaican parents – to a lot of R&B and pop. Right now, I’m loving artists like Ravyn Lenae, Isabel LaRosa, and Amie Blu. But honestly, inspiration comes from everywhere. Sometimes I’ll hear something in a TV show soundtrack or just the vibe of a scene and that alone can spark an entire musical idea for me.
KATE DAVIES
Was becoming a musician always the plan?
ANGEL MURRAY
Not at all! I’m actually in my second year of university studying Law, which is a wild contrast to music. I only started taking songwriting seriously in 2024, and it became such an amazing creative outlet for me, which led to the release of my debut single, Somewhere Else/Angels. The response to that was way more than I ever expected, and now I’m balancing both law and music, somehow!
KATE DAVIES
Great! So would you say that music helps you in a way, to be yourself?
ANGEL MURRAY
Music is such a powerful form of expression, whether you’re making it or just listening. Not to sound too spiritual or anything, but some songs really do carry that energy that can lift your mood or completely shift how you feel. It’s kind of magical. For me, music is a space where I can fully immerse myself in whatever I’m feeling or want to feel.
KATE DAVIES
Have you got a favourite song that you’ve created?
ANGEL MURRAY
I honestly don’t think I can choose! I’m always writing and falling in love with new material, and everything I’ve released so far has been really intentional. Each song feels like its own little world, so I love them all in different ways. They’re my babies after all, since I’ve only got 4 songs out… 5 now with my new one!
KATE DAVIES
Yes, onto your new single! How would you describe the feeling of it?
ANGEL MURRAY
Super atmospheric but still dancey! I’m obsessed with this one, especially because the bridge to the last chorus was completely improvised in the moment while I was recording in my home studio. I nearly talked myself out of doing it because I usually try to stick to a structure, but I’m so glad I went with the instinct; the song is so much better because of it, trust me.
KATE DAVIES
Aw nice! I honestly love the track.
If you had to pick then, what’s your favourite genre of music to listen to?
ANGEL MURRAY
Another annoying answer, but I honestly can’t choose just one because I listen to so much. I recently went through a random dancehall phase, but then I’ll jump into old-school hip hop, then I’m back in my R&B or pop phase…sometimes I crave nostalgic songs too from around 2016 to 2019. I don’t know, genuinely. I just really love good music, whatever the genre is.
KATE DAVIES
Speaking of good music, I know you’re friends with Neave Marr, and you’re supporting her in London. How excited are you?!
ANGEL MURRAY
So excited, are you kidding?! I love Neave. She’s been so supportive of me, and I adore her. I was over the moon when she asked me to open for her show at The Grace in September. It’ll be my first proper show too, so the audience is really going to get that fan-first experience, and dare I say, a phenomenal one, haha.
KATE DAVIES
Oh, it will be! As you’re still early in your career, I have to ask, do you think you’d prefer to perform in small venues or stadiums?
ANGEL MURRAY
It’s hard to choose really – both have their magic. I think small venues are super important, especially as an emerging artist. If you’re performing to an audience that loves your kind of music as well in a smaller venue, I think it can be amazing! They let you connect with your audience in such an intimate way. But, I’m definitely a performer at heart; I love dancing, moving, engaging and all that stuff. So eventually, I’d love to do stadiums and get into staging, lighting, all the theatrics. But I’m excited to start small and really take it all in.
KATE DAVIES
Is there a specific message you try to share with your fanbase?
ANGEL MURRAY
I really try to encourage positivity. Not to sound cliché, but I genuinely care about having a healthy, supportive fanbase. I never want anyone to feel less valued, and I try to avoid that sort of imbalance or favouritism. Unfortunately, I have seen it happen and it’s really sad too because I’m sure some artists aren’t even aware of toxicity within their fanbases, but that’s why as an emerging artist I try my best to monitor that. I think it’s working so far – touch wood!
KATE DAVIES
And finally, what advice would you give to young people wanting to become a musician?
Please believe in yourself. Be your biggest fan, even if it feels “cringe.” Doubt won’t get you anywhere. Embarrassment isn’t even real, especially when you’re just starting out. No one’s expecting perfection, and if they are, they suck (sorry, not sorry). I saw Doechii say in an interview too, that you have the right to be bad at something when you’re starting out, and that really stuck with me because it’s just so, so incredibly true. It should be a never-ending journey of improvement because there’s always room for it.
Angel Murray’s new single, Dreamt You, is out now, and is available to stream everywhere.
Kelsey McAndrew