Main content

Nostalia

The band were formed at the Girl Vocal group auditions

Esther, 22

South east London girl Esther studied Business Management at university in order to understand all elements of the music business; she believes it’s too male dominated and wants to help get more women into positions of power.

Esther’s passion has always been singing, she joined her church choir when she was six and is still part of one now.

Q: How have your group been keeping in touch since lockdown?

“We had many Zoom calls and spoke about everything from isolation through to song choices. With everything happening in the world it was amazing to still be able to stay in touch and bond on a deeper level.”

Q: Have you had any words of encouragement from Little Mix?

“They have been super supportive and speaking to us about their vision for us as-well, as their opinions in song choices and our creative input. They are really big on making sure we feel heard and involved which is something I really do appreciate about them.”

Mya-Louise, 18

East London based Mya-Louise is from a musical family and wants to follow in their footsteps. Her dad works as a producer from his garden studio on weekends, and her uncle is DJ Spoony.

She is a member of a choir and has sung solos in church since she was seven.

Two years ago, Spoony organised a Garage Classics gig at The Barbican. Mya-Louise sang Sunshine to a packed out audience and met Craig David, Paloma Faith and Emile Sande backstage. This gave her a taste of what it would be like to be a singer!

Q: Who are the influences for your band?

“I’d say the influences are definitely throwback vibes 90’s songs. We all love those songs and they’ve definitely influenced us as individuals as well.”

Q: Do you ever get stage fright?

“I definitely get really nervous before I sing, whether that’s at church or in front of Little Mix, but once I’m in the song I just give my all no matter what I’m singing because it honestly goes so quick you’ve got to give it your best.”

Shanice, 25

Shanice is currently an office admin assistant and gigging singer at functions part-time.

Shanice had always wanted to be involved in music, singing every Sunday in church, but falling pregnant when she was 19 put her musical aspirations on hold. She currently lives with her daughter Samara in south east London.

Since giving birth, Samara has become her biggest inspiration to succeed; “she has enhanced me as a person”.

Q: What has the reaction been like from your friends and family?

“My family and friends are really proud of me. My daughter always says to me “Mummy, you’re a star”. I love that I have support from home anytime I need some motivation I just think of positive words from my family.”

Q: You’re more than bandmates, you’re now also housemates – how has that been so far? Anyone got any bad habits?

“This has been a breath of fresh air; everything is now easier that we’re together in the house. I would say our biggest band habit is when we have moments where we burst out randomly and sing.”

Tamara, 20

Tamara is a gigging singer from Ireland who performs locally at weddings and functions – she’s even a singing waitress on the side.

Tamara’s mum and grandad are also musical and were both singers back in the day. She is really close to her mum, Miranda, who is her biggest fan; “she’s always the one that would bring me to auditions, supported me, made me feel great about doing it as well…. lifted my spirits up towards it”

Q: Have you had any words of encouragement from Little Mix?

“Well Leigh-Anne said she would buy my album so that is definitely encouraging to me and also when Perrie held my hands and told that she was finally giving me a yes, I felt like I had proved to her that I was capable of taking on the world and it gave me a lot of confidence!”

Tyler, 19

Tyler from Middlesex could previously be found singing at customers from behind the reception desk at the hotel she worked at, but quit to audition for Little Mix The Search when they wouldn’t give her the time off.

An inexperienced singer, she is yet to perform a gig - but she taught herself how to play instruments, and posts videos singing online.

She is very close to her parents and twin sister and she loves animals “my home is like a zoo with so many pets in the house!”

Q: What has the reaction been like from your family?

“My family are so excited for this. I remember when there was a tiny glimpse of me in the advert and we all screamed and even then it didn’t feel real. When they showed the sneak peek of our episode my sister burst into tears. My family have been so supportive because they know I’m happy which is why I love them.”