A Teenage singer-songwriter has won a national competition and secured herself a recording deal.
Natalie Shay, from New Southgate, was crowned the winner of Open Mic UK’s 16 and under category at the Birmingham NEC on Saturday after performing her own song When This Year’s Over.
The 15-year-old, who was a pupil at Ashmole School until last year, worked her way up through the competition, which was organised by Future Music, starting with an audition in September.
“There were five of us on stage and you had 30 seconds to sing a song,” she said.
“You were then told to go off stage to one person or another and then you were told if you had got through or not.”
Natalie completed two other heats before last weekend’s final, which was judged by representatives from record labels Sony, Warner and Universal as well as four-time Ivor Novello Award winner Mark Hill,
producer Gareth Henderson, Alex Baker, from Kerrang Radio, and head of Future Music Chris Grayston.
“I wrote the song a couple of weeks ago,” she said.
“It’s quite rocky, where as my usual style is quite folksy. Most of the others did covers. I was playing my guitar.”
Feedback from the judges included: “That’s how a guitar should be performed! Great vocals and stage presence. Loved the energy and the original song.”
Natalie started at the famous performing arts specialist college the Brit School, based in Croydon,south London, last August.
She said: “I thought it would be more school-like, but actually they respect our individuality and give you more freedom. It has helped to make me more independent.”
Enfield Times