01Profile
A Odette Peters Photo
Odette Peters
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Odette Peters. Yorkshire born, Manchester raised, London based. I sound like an ad for a fancy new craft beer or something.
Describe your style in three words?
6th Spice Girl!
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erykah Badu at Field Day a couple of years ago, I think that moment was as important for my career as any of my own shows, honestly - I’d waited for so long to see her live.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
This is a hard one! I do feel like my answer would probably change if you ask me tomorrow. I’m going to go with Fugees and Kate Bush though, I just feel like to see those guys live would be iconic, a wildly contrasting line-up, they’re very different I know. There’s a shared sort of unique creative energy though, both brought something so new.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Can I say "family" as a subculture? Growing up in an all-female household has had a huge effect on the person I am, more so than any fashion trends or genres of music. I’ve grown up surrounded by hugely strong, opinionated, independent, yet ferociously supportive females and I don’t take that for granted, it’s completely shaped me into who I am. I’m a huge believer in women supporting women and I have no doubt that this is because of the values instilled in me from when I was younger. It’s affected everything from what I wear to the music I listen to (predominately female and often politically charged - which has obviously influenced the music I create). I now have another two stepsisters on top of being one of three girls. It’s mad! I love that though, it’s special.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nina Simone.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
The Islington, London. I had my first headline show there and it was so packed out and sweaty, people were standing out the back door to be able to listen. It was such a humbling moment for me. I’m also a huge sucker for a red velvet curtain. The Islington holds a special place in my heart.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Betty Davis. Godmother of funk. “A fully self-realised black female pioneer the world failed to appreciate” is def the only explanation necessary. Neo-soul, funk, jazz, blues - none of these genres would be where they are at all without women like Betty (and so many more) paving the path for us and I am so in awe of them for that. It’s just crazy to think of everything that has followed since then, they changed the world! They did that!
Odette Peters' debut single 'What A Lovely Day' was released in October 2019. Blending spoken word poetry, jazz and neo-soul, 'What A Lovely Day' includes social commentary on issues including divorce, mental health and equality.
Odette's creative ambitions extend beyond her music to other aspects of the artistic persona she projects, including artwork and the visual direction and editing music videos.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Don’t Stop Moving' by S Club 7. Without a doubt. My earliest memory of enjoying music was playing S Club on repeat, I think I must have been three or four years old. We had this little kids table and chairs set which had legs that looked like giant pencils, do you know the one? And you know how Arena shows have those stages that have a sort of catwalk that goes out into the audience? I’d always line up the stools to create a stage leading out from the sofa (the sofa was the main stage obviously) so that I could give a massive performance. I broke every stool eventually, mum was steaming!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Family Portrait' by P!nk. The amount of times I listened to that song in my early teens and literally thought P!nk wrote that tune for me, honestly, it’s so funny. I feel like everyone has a song they connected to like that as an early teen. Nobody gets me sort of thing, apart from THIS SONG. That was totally me and I’m just going to own it. Def still a guilty pleasure.
One record you would keep forever?
'Brown Sugar' by D’angelo (1995).
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"But somebody's gonna have to answer
The time is coming soon
Amidst all these questions and contradictions
There are some who seek the truth
But somebody's gonna have to answer
The time is coming soon
When the blind remove their blinders
And the speechless speak the truth”
- 'Why' by Tracy Chapman. She was so ahead of her time lyrically. Her words are so powerful and everything she wrote still stands so relevant today which I think says so much.
A song you wished you had written?
There’s so much music I am in total and utter awe of but I don’t think I wish I’d written any of it, to be honest! I think I enjoy it because of the people and the place and journey that it’s been created from or as a result of. I like where I’m at and what I’m creating too!
Best song to turn up loud?
'Bra' by Cymande.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Whole of the Moon' by The Waterboys.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Who’s That Girl?' by Eve.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
If we’re talking about the kind that ends with a nice sunrise? 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' - Roy Ayers Ubiquity.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I couldn’t even attempt to list them all, there’s so much exciting art and music being created at the moment. Particularly loving The KTNA, think I’m definitely 0161 biased but I just think they’re cooking up something really cool and I love that they’re sisters too (told you I was biased).
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Odette Peters. Yorkshire born, Manchester raised, London based. I sound like an ad for a fancy new craft beer or something.
Describe your style in three words?
6th Spice Girl!
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erykah Badu at Field Day a couple of years ago, I think that moment was as important for my career as any of my own shows, honestly - I’d waited for so long to see her live.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
This is a hard one! I do feel like my answer would probably change if you ask me tomorrow. I’m going to go with Fugees and Kate Bush though, I just feel like to see those guys live would be iconic, a wildly contrasting line-up, they’re very different I know. There’s a shared sort of unique creative energy though, both brought something so new.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Can I say "family" as a subculture? Growing up in an all-female household has had a huge effect on the person I am, more so than any fashion trends or genres of music. I’ve grown up surrounded by hugely strong, opinionated, independent, yet ferociously supportive females and I don’t take that for granted, it’s completely shaped me into who I am. I’m a huge believer in women supporting women and I have no doubt that this is because of the values instilled in me from when I was younger. It’s affected everything from what I wear to the music I listen to (predominately female and often politically charged - which has obviously influenced the music I create). I now have another two stepsisters on top of being one of three girls. It’s mad! I love that though, it’s special.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nina Simone.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
The Islington, London. I had my first headline show there and it was so packed out and sweaty, people were standing out the back door to be able to listen. It was such a humbling moment for me. I’m also a huge sucker for a red velvet curtain. The Islington holds a special place in my heart.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Betty Davis. Godmother of funk. “A fully self-realised black female pioneer the world failed to appreciate” is def the only explanation necessary. Neo-soul, funk, jazz, blues - none of these genres would be where they are at all without women like Betty (and so many more) paving the path for us and I am so in awe of them for that. It’s just crazy to think of everything that has followed since then, they changed the world! They did that!
Odette Peters' debut single 'What A Lovely Day' was released in October 2019. Blending spoken word poetry, jazz and neo-soul, 'What A Lovely Day' includes social commentary on issues including divorce, mental health and equality.
Odette's creative ambitions extend beyond her music to other aspects of the artistic persona she projects, including artwork and the visual direction and editing music videos.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Don’t Stop Moving' by S Club 7. Without a doubt. My earliest memory of enjoying music was playing S Club on repeat, I think I must have been three or four years old. We had this little kids table and chairs set which had legs that looked like giant pencils, do you know the one? And you know how Arena shows have those stages that have a sort of catwalk that goes out into the audience? I’d always line up the stools to create a stage leading out from the sofa (the sofa was the main stage obviously) so that I could give a massive performance. I broke every stool eventually, mum was steaming!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Family Portrait' by P!nk. The amount of times I listened to that song in my early teens and literally thought P!nk wrote that tune for me, honestly, it’s so funny. I feel like everyone has a song they connected to like that as an early teen. Nobody gets me sort of thing, apart from THIS SONG. That was totally me and I’m just going to own it. Def still a guilty pleasure.
One record you would keep forever?
'Brown Sugar' by D’angelo (1995).
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"But somebody's gonna have to answer
The time is coming soon
Amidst all these questions and contradictions
There are some who seek the truth
But somebody's gonna have to answer
The time is coming soon
When the blind remove their blinders
And the speechless speak the truth”
- 'Why' by Tracy Chapman. She was so ahead of her time lyrically. Her words are so powerful and everything she wrote still stands so relevant today which I think says so much.
A song you wished you had written?
There’s so much music I am in total and utter awe of but I don’t think I wish I’d written any of it, to be honest! I think I enjoy it because of the people and the place and journey that it’s been created from or as a result of. I like where I’m at and what I’m creating too!
Best song to turn up loud?
'Bra' by Cymande.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Whole of the Moon' by The Waterboys.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Who’s That Girl?' by Eve.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
If we’re talking about the kind that ends with a nice sunrise? 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' - Roy Ayers Ubiquity.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I couldn’t even attempt to list them all, there’s so much exciting art and music being created at the moment. Particularly loving The KTNA, think I’m definitely 0161 biased but I just think they’re cooking up something really cool and I love that they’re sisters too (told you I was biased).
Odette Peters - 'What A Lovely Day' (Official Video)
Odette Peters - 'Unsatisfiable Generation' Peckham Live Sessions