Getting To Know: Matilda Pratt

At just 21, Matilda Pratt has already made a significant impact on the indie/pop music scene. Hailing from the West Midlands, UK, this talented singer-songwriter has graced stages at festivals and events across the UK and LA, captivating audiences of up to 10,000, including a national TV performance at Twickenham Stadium. Her music has earned accolades such as BBC Introducing’s Track of the Day and the coveted Future Hits Track of the Year, as voted by listeners. Additionally, Matilda's singles have been handpicked by Jake Gosling for the Official Hotel Chocolat Spotify Playlist, streaming in over 100 stores worldwide, from the UK to New York, Japan, and St. Lucia. With her growing acclaim and undeniable talent, Matilda Pratt is a rising star to watch.

1. Your performance resume is quite impressive, with highlights including Twickenham Stadium and The Hotel Café in Los Angeles. Can you share a memorable moment from one of these performances that stands out to you?

Thank you so much! I absolutely loved both of these performances for different reasons. I think performing the National Anthem at Twickenham Stadium was just such a stand out performance, and a really unique opportunity for a Pop singer! The most memorable moment for me was probably performing the National Anthem for the Women’s Varsity Match first, coming back off the pitch and running to my dressing room to catch my performance broadcast LIVE on National TV! That was just so surreal to watch and also hear the whole stadium singing along. Then, going back out a second time to sing the National Anthem on the same day for the Men’s Varsity Match which followed was even more electrifying and I felt so much more confident doing it a second time, that I let myself really take it all in and look around the stadium a bit more. Little did I know, a year later I would be asked to do it again, so got to experience the adrenaline and excitement all over again.

2. Your singles have garnered significant attention, including being featured on BBC Introducing and the Official Hotel Chocolat Spotify Playlist. How does it feel to see your music being recognized and streamed globally?

Oh wow, it’s so cool! It makes me feel like what I’m doing is being heard and recognised. Streams are amazing and it’s great to see which countries are loving your music, but also then having the opportunity to perform my music on global stages like ‘We Found New Music’ in LA and The Hotel Cafe as previously mentioned, is just so rewarding as it feels like my audience just keeps growing and growing! But not only that, I’m also making industry connections through this method which is just so beneficial as my career continues to blossom.

3. You’ve been described as having a "memorable sound" and "charismatic charm" in your songwriting. Can you talk about your creative process and what inspires you when writing new music?

I’m quite an ideas person in all aspects of my life, that’s whether I come at it from a lyrical and storytelling point of view, or musical point of view. I think with my recent singles and upcoming music, I really had a narrative and a story to run with and I love writing lyrics that have a personal sentiment resonating with what is going on in my life at the time, I feel like that gives my music extra passion and feeling, and then when I perform the songs, the whole experience is much more authentic and real.

4. Having performed on stages from the UK to LA, what are some of the key differences you’ve noticed in audience reactions and the music scenes in these different places?

Starting with LA, I think everyone is just so bold and comfortable being whoever they want to be, and the audiences just love that! I think performing in LA has really taught me to completely let loose on stage, and be true to myself, and since then, I really like to think that I have carried over those confidences into my UK performances.

I have found both audiences to be super supportive in different ways - for example, in LA, there is such a culture to follow each other on socials and go round really making an effort to network, not that that doesn’t happen in the UK, but I noticed it to an even more significant degree in Hollywood which is great! And I’ve seen the benefit of doing that as I’ve landed performance opportunities in LA that have been offered to me just by meeting at a gig and getting to know you personally. But without a doubt, the UK is just as good and better in its own ways, like the Festival culture is undeniably unique, and stumbling on an artist you’ve never heard of and coming away with new fans in cities all across the country is so exciting and opens up the door to new shows and audiences.

5. You’ve supported notable acts like Take That and Westlife on the Unsigned Stage at Arena Birmingham. How have these experiences influenced your growth as an artist and your approach to live performances?

These performances were quite a few years ago for me now but we’re definitely pivotal in my growth as an artist and performer. I think when you are supporting such a well-known artist or band, you do have to think even more carefully about your set list and trying to stay as much in the lane as the genre of the headliner. To get a positive reaction from a crowd that haven’t come to see you is also rewarding, and the amount of people that you are exposed to and performing in front of really does help grow your fan base and get your music out to more people! I was very lucky to get these performance opportunities at that early stage of my career, and think it has given me a huge stepping stone to what I am doing and what I have lined up now!