Alt-pop songstress Mousey has a new album in the works and a spot on the RDU stage at February’s Nostalgia festival. She credits growing up in Christchurch for her development as a musician.

Late last year you released your album LEMON LAW and toured New Zealand for the first time – is there anything else in the works? Yes, I’m writing my next album at the moment.

Any highlights from your first New Zealand tour? I loved hanging out with the band. The whole tour was soul food for me.

How did you come up with your stage name, Mousey? “The girl with the mousy hair” from David Bowie’s ‘Life On Mars’.

You grew up in Christchurch – did this help your music career? It helped me grow as a musician. Christchurch is a really safe space to get better. I was able to upskill without the industry voices distracting me. All of my friends here are really supportive, talented and inspirational.

What’s your favourite local venue to perform at? Blue Smoke really values the performers that come to play.

Where’s your favourite hangout in town? I feel very at home at Vesuvio.

You have been open in the past about being confused when talking to ‘important’ people within the music industry – how important is staying true and keeping your signature sound? To be honest I’m still trying to find my sound. There are so many different styles of music that I love and so many different artists I’m inspired by, from rap to rock ‘n’ roll.

Any underground Kiwi acts you think people should be listening to? Pickle Darling, There’s a Tuesday and Blue Nude.

You have a really defined sense of style – where do you take inspiration from? I’m inspired by so many artists. I love Radiohead, Gorillaz, Sufjan Stevens, Angel Olsen, The Beatles – the list is 1000 artists long.

If you weren’t doing what you are now, what would you want to be? I was very close to going to study biology at the start of last year with the goal of being a marine biologist or a DOC worker. So I guess I would do that.

Nostalgia, Ferrymead Heritage Park, February 15
nostalgiafestival.co.nz