Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

How do you do?... Lydia Prettyman

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In the third of our new How Do You Do? series of interviews, which aims to introduce the stars of the Manchester music scene to a wider audience, we check in with upcoming artist Lydia Prettyman ahead of her show at Yes on 14th April 2025.

Destined for big things, she released her five track debut EP 'Feeling Everything At Once' on March 27th to critical acclaim.

How do you do, Lydia Prettyman?...

First up, where are you from?

Thanks so much for chatting to me! I'm originally from Bedfordshire, so down south haha. But moved to Manchester over 2 years ago and live just outside the city centre, near Castlefield.

Are you a Red or a Blue?

Honestly can't say I'm a hugeee football fan... but probably a Red if I had to choose.

And how do you like your Vimto?

Just a standard can hahah, a simple can of Vimto and you can't go wrong.

When you’re at the chippy, what do you call chips on bread?

Chip butty.

What is your favourite place in Manchester?

That's tough! I love Fletcher Moss in Didsbury as a place to visit, but I think my favourite building is the John Rylands Library. I've actually only seen it from the outside but it's so stunning, but also so random just in Deansgate, hahaha.

And who would you crown King and Queen of Manchester?

I feel like it has to be one of the Gallagher brothers surely!

We have to ask… is Prettyman your real name? If so, have you looked into the history of it and are all the boys in your family pretty?

Yes, it's my real name! I have no brothers, only sisters, but all of my family are beautiful inside and out.

You are from a musical family, being taught the piano at the age of six, and guitar at 13. Can you remember the first songs you learned on each?

Yeah I started piano very young! Think the first thing I learnt was probably the E-G-G or D-A-D pieces which are just playing those notes, hahaha. Think the first song I learnt on guitar was Ho Hey by The Lumineers.

And what kind of music were you exposed to at home as a child? And has this influenced your sound?

Lots of 70s and 80s funk, soul, and disco! My dad has hundreds of records and he'd often put them on and I have loads of memories of listening to them. It's definitely influenced the way that I think about music, and how it makes the listener feel, so maybe more indirectly than directly.

Who are your biggest influences?

Honestly this changes all the time but right now I'm so influenced by early Coldplay, Radiohead, and Clairo.

You went to Uni in Nottingham. What did you study and how did this help shape your music?

Yeah I did! I studied Philosophy & Theology which I loved. Basically just studying to think hahaha. I think it helped me to understand that people conceptualise things very differently, and all have different schools of thought.

Philosophical ideas can be so metaphorical and I think that transpires into my writing a lot of time. And if people don't understand what I'm trying to say then that's okay, because they may perceive that same emotion differently.

You’ve been labelled as “Pop-Soul” but your music is arguably more 60's folk and jazz orientated, or even the kind of 70’s easy listening which you would expect to hear in a Richard Linklater movie; rich instrumentals, nostalgic vocals with overlayed harmonies, gorgeous acoustic guitar, driving piano and distinctive brass accompaniment. How would you personally describe your sound, and how much of what we hear is performed by yourself?

Thank you so much for the kind description! I think there's a pressure for musicians to feel as though they have to fit into a genre. Personally I find it quite difficult to label my music as one style because all of the songs I write and and record are different in their own way and have different influences. For example, Craft is pretty folky, whereas Myself To Blame is more indie-rock.

I think the sound comes together through the vocals and the odd familiar vocal pattern. I'd probably describe my sound as an indie, soul, alternative mix I suppose!

I record all the vocals and BVs, and then usually atmospheric guitar parts and keys. My band play their own parts on the tracks and they are amazing; they do a much better job than me, hahah.

Your lyrics display a clever storytelling narrative. Would you say these are autobiographical?

It's really a split between writing about my own experiences and emotions, and conceptualising a whole story and narrative. I love TV and film and often find losing yourself in a storyline is great for inspiration. It can be hard to wait to have your own experiences to write about, so I find that having other sources of inspiration and creating different worlds of made-up stories can really help to keep ideas and music flowing.

And what is your songwriting process?

The songwriting process is so random for me. I have a notes app on my phone where I jot ideas down. Sometimes I'll be out and about and think of a lyric that I like, or even just a word that I think would be cool to use in a song. Other times I sit down with the guitar and purposefully set out to write a verse or a chorus. But either way I've always got that notes page open.

Are we right in thinking your first gig was at The Cavern Club in Liverpool?

That was one of the first, yeah. It was pretty great, haha. They have an open mic on Mondays so I just popped along because I had my guitar in Liverpool. Was very busy and a bit daunting but loved it. Met some cool people there and just enjoyed playing in an iconic venue.

You went from performing your first headline gig in Manchester to supporting Damien Lewis in Nottingham the following night. How did you land that slot? Did he give you any feedback on your performance?

Yeah, that was a busy weekend! I actually landed that slot from someone who saw me play live. Got a call a few days before and dropped all my plans for the gig. I was so excited. He thanked me after the gig and I was like, no thank YOU, haha. He's such a kind and genuine person.

It’s pretty hard to make money in the music industry nowadays? Are you also having to work to fund your music career? If so, how hard is it to juggle both day job and touring?

Yeah it's pretty rough! I work in Broadcast TV. It's a mix of day shifts and night shifts. It's quite hard, especially if you have to book leave and navigate your schedule, but generally I've been pretty lucky and it's not been too stressful. Oftentimes I'm going straight to practice after a night shift or doing admin in my breaks, so there's not much rest but I don't really mind. I know it will pay off (one day... hopefully...!).

So far lots of my gigs and recording dates have all been on my days off which makes juggling both way less stressful, but everyone at my work knows I'm a musician so they're all understanding. And they come to all my gigs, which is a bonus!

You are certainly far too young to remember Damon Gough and Andy Votel’s Twisted Nerve record label, but your sound would have fit perfectly in their stable, and we can imagine you alongside the likes of Jane Weaver or Alfie. Is there a “scene” that you would say that you are a part of in Manchester, and how influential has the city been on your career to date?

Thank you! I can't say I know who that is, but I am flattered none-the-less! When I first moved to Manchester I suppose I was part of the open mic scene. I was playing open mics at least once a week.

I think navigating my 20s in Manchester away from my family and lots of my friends has evoked lots of emotions which I transpose into my writing. So I think Manchester has influenced my writing more than anything.

Is there any Manchester musician you dream of collaborating with?

I actually don't know... is that bad?! If any Manchester based musicians or producers are reading this hit me up, hahaha.

Your new debut EP “Feeling Everything at Once” has received great praise. Can we expect an album any time soon, and where do you record?

Thank you so much! It's my little baby, my first EP, first proper body of work. It's really special to me.

Hahaha, no album anytime soon! But definitely more music coming later in the year. I record all my songs in Liverpool as my band live there. The producers I work with I love very much and they are brilliant.

What can fans expect from your upcoming gig at Yes, on Monday 14th April?

It's going to be sooo much fun!! I actually cannot wait for it. Been a while since I've played a headline! Fans can expect good energy, loads of fun, and perhaps most importantly because this is new... MERCH!.