Carley Varley is an up-and-coming artist based on the South Coast of England, showing some fantastic homegrown talent! Her latest song, Better Without Me, caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but share it! It’s a proper banger, so make sure you check it out if you like what you read here!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track titled Better Without Me, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?
Better Without Me is a song about a pretty toxic friendship. I have had my fair share through my late teens and early twenties, and I felt it was a topic that I really wanted to write about. There can be a lot of jealousy in friendships at times, and sometimes it can feel like you are being used by your friend in situations. I wanted to write BWM mainly focusing on the aspect of ‘well maybe you’d be better off without me’. If you can just cut a dear friend off with no regard for their feelings, were they ever really your friend? I really wanted to incorporate these feelings in the song.
How has the reception been so far to Better Without Me been so far, and where can it be purchased?
The reception to BWM has been amazing, it was my first single going in a new direction as an artist, so I was so nervous, but everyone has been very encouraging. BWM can be purchases on iTunes, Apple Music and Amazon Music. You can also purchase it on my website carleyvarley.com.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
Yes absolutely! I have an EP called Homesick coming out in 2023. My next single is called Somehow I’m Alive and it will be released on January 14th. I am so excited to release more music in my new alternative/rocky genre!
Am I right in thinking you have an EP coming out soon?
Yes, the EP was written in 2022 and I’m currently finalising the final few songs and recording. The Homesick EP is by far my best work, and I cannot wait for everyone to hear these songs. I really feel I’ve come into my own as a writer and I’ve really experimented with melodies, and I’ve not been afraid to express myself through my songs.
Are there any plans to release a full-length album?
One day I’d love to record an entire album – this may be something for the future, maybe in a few years. I’m currently releasing EPs and really hoping my songs get a lot of traction!
Your music contains elements of both pop and rock. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
Yes, I absolutely love the pop/rock genre and I feel I’ve really found my sound in this genre. I am really influenced by bands like Linkin Park, Paramore, Against the Current and recently I’ve been listening to Conquer Divide. I love these groups and I’m obsessed with their musicality, I have listened to Paramore and Linkin Park since my early teens, so I take a lot of influence from them.
You’re based on the South Coast of the UK. What is the music scene like there at the moment?
The South Coast music scene is awesome. I am so grateful that I get to do what I love due to the support of venues and music lovers down here. It is a real pleasure to perform in the South Coast.
Did the pandemic hinder you much?
The pandemic absolutely did hinder me, not only was my music career on hold but I was also due to get married in April 2020, so I was pretty beside myself. I really struggled during this time, and I was so down I wasn’t very creative. I had writers block for a long time, and it took me ages to recover. Luckily for me, I still have a few bookings towards the ends of the year, which meant that I could record a little – getting back in the studio really helped me get back into the swing of creativity again.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I am performing in London on January 11th at The Lucky Pig in Soho! I will also be performing with my band pretty soon too! We will be performing at festivals, and I will be having an EP launch during summer too, which I cannot wait for. No tour as of yet, but certainly lots of gigs!
Any last words for the fans?
To my fans, thank you so much for your support, for listening to my music and for sending me the loveliest messages, telling me how much you relate to my songs. I am always so glad that you love the songs I write, and I can’t wait to write you some more!