Since her debut track Love No More was released in 2016, Irish singer Soulé has had an incredible journey.
From playing every music festival under the sun to being nominated twice for RTÉ Choice Music Prize Song of the Year, the electro pop artist agrees it’s been “a crazy two and a half years”.
With recent single Love Tonight racking up over 4 million streams on Spotify and an EP released earlier this year, she’s set to keep the momentum going with a show at Lost Lane this September.
“I haven't done a solo show since my first tour in 2017,” the singer confessed to Dublin Live. “I'm trying not to be super nervous or overthink it! But I'm sure it's gonna go really well.”
Down-to-earth Soulé got her first taste of performing aged 15 at a youth club workshop in her hometown of Balbriggan. “We were able to go in and produce music, write and stuff like that. Then perform it at the end of the week. Foróige was officially opening up there and we got to perform for Mary McAleese, which was really cool,” she says.
When it comes to her personal inspirations, Soulé’s own Congolese mother definitely tops her list. “She sang in a choir when I was younger. So I grew up watching her perform and stuff. It kind of made me want to do that and follow in her footsteps.”
Her mother introduced her to musical icons like Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and Erykah Badu, and has even influenced her fashion-wise, she says. “I get a lot of inspo from the early nineties,” the singer explains. “I was obsessed with the Spice Girls, and my Mam's fashion back then as well.”
“Looking back at TLC or Aaliyah, Lil’ Kim... They exuded female empowerment and just their vibe was so cool. So when it comes to fashion, I like to feel comfortable, but also feel fly, you know?!”
Performing on the Irish festival circuit the last few summers, she’s even been lucky enough to meet some of her idols.
“I did meet Chaka Khan when I played Electric Picnic in 2017,” the singer says. “That was the best moment ever. She gave me the best advice, and such a warm hug.”
“She was like, 'Keep on working and never give up. As a woman, as a black woman in music, you have so much to offer. Don't limit yourself, and don't take no for an answer.' That was just the best advice you could get, from somebody who's been in music for five decades. So yeah, (it was) amazing!”
What's next for one of Ireland's most promising musical talents? She's busy writing as well as performing right now, she reveals.
“I just came back from a songwriting camp in Oslo, Norway. I met people who have written with everyone from Lewis Capaldi to Katy Perry. It was just an amazing experience.”
In terms of her musical taste and influences, the young artist is keen not to limit herself to any specific genres.
“For me, I feel like music is music,” she says. “I would never put any style of music beneath any other style... I feel like I listen to everything. Even for example All Saints, Girls Aloud, the Sugababes... Then recently, I love MNEK (UK producer and artist) , he's an amazing artist... Raye, RAY BLK, those guys are amazing. That's what is on my playlist right now.
Nevertheless, she admits she has always been drawn to a big pop sound. “I love anything that has movement,” she explains.
“I think that's what my ear loves to hear! I love big choruses in pop. It's just bright. If you were to talk about it in terms of colour, it's... yellows and bright pinks. That's what I see when I listen to pop. It's like those big bright colours, and that's what I love about it.”
With her music gaining fans in the UK, would she ever consider a move abroad? “For me, I'm okay with being here... If the time did come where a lot of things are happening there, maybe yes. But for now I'm happy being in Dublin, and having easy access to a chicken fillet roll at any time!”
Soulé performs at Lost Lane on Friday, September 20. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
