Meet rising artist Molly Rainford who is bringing the merry spirit with a Christmas themed EP "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" which was released on November 27th. The EP includes her spectacular version of ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’.
The Essex based singer dropped her well-received Commitment EP in 2019 and gained over 2 million streams with lead song ‘I Like You’.
It was at the age of eleven-years-old when she propelled within the music industry as she reached the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012. She bravely performed to the nation after finishing at sixth place, Rainford continued to hone her craft through attending Sylvia Young Theatre School and ELAM college as well as joined numerous writing sessions with some of the industry’s top producers including Lux Pyramid (Yungblud / L Devine / Emily Burns / Catherine McGrath) and Siba (Charli XCX / Zara Larsson / Raye / Ebenezer). Since her debut in 2018, she has shared a plethora of singles including a collaboration with fellow UK artist Plan B.
Music aside, Molly also uses her platform to fight against bullying. The emerging talent is a proud anti-bullying ambassador and has visited schools in the UK to celebrate the positive work that has been done in schools and communities. Her music and advocacy have helped her gain fans over the years. Molly Rainford is securing her spot as one of pop’s up and coming heavy weights. More music to be released very soon.
We spoke back in June under different circumstances but her words still echo her realities of today:
Who are you? What do you do?
I’m Molly Rainford. I’m 19 and I’m from Essex… I claim East London ‘cause I lived in Barking most of my life. And I’m a singer.
I’ve literally been singing since I can remember. I guess that’s just the route that I was meant to take.
Where did you go to school? How was that?
I went to a theatre school in central London called Sylvia Young. And basically, after going on Britain’s Got Talent, they were offering record deals and things like that, but I didn’t want to come out at 11 and be this ‘one hit wonder’. So instead, they paid for me to go there, like a scholarship.
Who was your biggest inspiration as a kid? Who is it now?
I’ve always been a massive, massive Beyoncé fan. It’s hard not to be. I was always in awe of her, because she doesn’t just sing with this incredible voice. She dances, she acts, and she just comes across as an all-round girl boss, you know. Now it’s more a lot of people rather than one specific person… Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Oprah, Michael Jordan.
You mentioned a lot of women there… is that a theme?
It definitely is. My mum’s always been very independent, always working, and always pushed me to be the best I can be. She’s always been that way, and she’s definitely put that onto me.
Do you see yourself doing more TV work?
Music will always be my main thing. But on top of that I want to show that like Beyonce I can dance and act. I want to be a jack of all trades. So if a great opportunity came about I’d definitely take it, it’d be rude not to. But music will still be my main thing and my main love.
How do you cope with online criticism and look after your mental health? Especially being in the limelight from so young.
I do take some of it quite personally. It’s hard to hear people who don’t know anything about you criticising you. But at the same time, I’m still learning that they don’t know me, or know anything about me. They only know what they want to know. But… say what you want.
More as a mental thing I have to try my best not to compare my stuff to other people, rather than worrying about every Tom, Dick and Harry. Obviously when you see people get a big job and your social medias gone quiet… you’re like ‘how is that happening to them and not to me’. And I have to go ‘actually Molly your journey is very different to theirs, and yours is going to happen in a different way’. That’s the thing for me, rather than trolling.
How do you measure your success?
It was a massive achievement for me when my songs hit 100,000. Then the next is a million streams. And I think it would be great to sell out a show, that for me would be a massive achievement.
This year has been quite a roller coaster. What have you learned from it?
That I need to learn how to motivate myself. It’s easy to just lay in bed and not get up and do anything, because the opportunity’s right there.
It comes in waves. Sometimes you’re motivated, sometimes you have a lazy streak. But it’s not going to happen without putting the work in.
What’s your favourite part of making music?
I think just being able to sing about how you feel with no care about what people think. That’s the main prize.
Do you have any rituals or routines before writing or before performing?
When I’m writing, not really. I just take every day as it comes. But with performing I guess doing my hair and makeup is a ritual… getting my game face on. And getting my vocals warmed up.
What’s your go-to TV show or film to zone out to?
“Just Go With It” or “Friends”
If you could cast yourself in a remake of a movie, what would you choose?
Either Dream Girls or Clueless.
If you could play a character, who would it be?
Iron Man or Hulk.
Favourite takeaway?
Domino’s.
Biggest fear?
Spiders.
What’s the genre people would be most surprised you listen to?
Old school garage and funky house. I’m on all of that.
Who’s your dream collaboration?
Nao.
Dream car?
An old school Cadillac convertible, or a G Wagon.
Comedy or drama?
Comedy. I love stand-up.
What’s one country you’d like to visit that you haven’t yet?
Somewhere in South America. Cuba or somewhere.
Piercings or tattoos?
Tattoos.
Photography: Charlie Chich
Styling: Holly Macnaghten
Written: Jack Siggs