Zoë Wren puts a refreshingly bold twist on her classic folk influences. Since her beginnings as a busker in Camden, she’s gone on to perform on stages from the Cambridge Folk Festival to the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. Known for her silky vocals and modern take on traditional folk, Zoë’s music has been heard on BBC Radio 2, London Live, and more. Now, she returns with her shimmering new single, ‘Vapour.’ 

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Zoë about the latest project, dream collabs, musical memories and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

What’s something you’d like readers to know about your latest project?

I’ve just released my new single Vapour, which tells the story of a female WWII spy. Underestimated for being a woman, she turned her perceived weakness into her strength. It’s an energetic, atmospheric song with an action-packed story, but underneath that there’s a strong theme of female empowerment. Vapour also has a music video which is pretty much a short spy film – shot in an underground bar and train station with a cinematic vintage style, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the song.

How does this project compare with your other release(s)? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?

I’ve always called myself a folk singer-songwriter, but this is the first release I’ve had trouble categorizing. Vapour has an upbeat, powerful vibe, which comes from the story it tells, and I’d call it something like ‘indie folk rock’. It’s also the first song I wrote using my Ableton Push 2 looper. I use my Push for creating looped covers, but I wanted to challenge myself to use it to compose. This is my first looped original, and there’ll be more and better to come, but I’m excited that it has pushed my music in a different direction.

What motivates you to create music?

I started writing songs as a folk musician, and the folk ethos has always been part of my creative process. I want to tell stories that I feel are important, and writing songs is part of how I make sense of the world around me, and how I connect with people. I love that about performing – you can play to a room of complete strangers, but by the end you all feel like you have some kind of connection, something in common.

What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?

When I was young, I tagged along with my family to Cambridge Folk Festival. I’d never been to a festival before, and I remember being struck by the atmosphere. There was music drifting from every corner from spontaneous jams and various stages; there were musicians popping out of backstage areas and mingling with the crowds. I thought it was the best thing ever and I wanted to be part of it. That’s also where, a few years later, I did my first open mic, and as a result got booked to play my first ever shows. I go to Cambridge Folk Festival every year now, as a performer with one band or another, and it’s still really special to me as the place where it all started.

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

Fleetwood Mac. The way their sound (and personnel!) has continually evolved is fascinating to me, and a big influence on my songwriting. And as someone who loves nothing more than to sing in a big wall of harmony, I can only imagine how exhilarating it would be to collaborate and perform with them. I might be a bit starstruck though…

What was the last song you listened to? And who is one of your favorite all-time bands/artists?

The last song I listened to is Everything Matters by Aurora and Pomme. It’s on my travel playlist – and I’ve been doing a lot of that recently. I love the slightly offbeat vibe of the song, and its message, and the way Aurora’s voice dances around so weightlessly. I’ve listened to it many times when I’m on a train or plane and want to be in a certain mood: calm and contemplative, but acutely aware of everything passing by.

Joni Mitchell is one of my all-time favourite artists and songwriting inspirations. Listening to her has taught me so much about writing melodies and chord progressions, about telling stories in music, and she’s the reason I use alternate open tunings on my guitar. She has recorded so many albums, many in very different styles, but her voice and her songwriting are always unmistakable.

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

I share what I’m up to on social media (@zoewrenmusic) and on my monthly-ish newsletter (zoewren.com/contact). But the best way to stay in touch is to join one of my livestreams on Twitch!

I started livestreaming during the pandemic as a way to get by without live shows, but it took on a life of its own and grew into this amazing international community of music lovers who hang out every week. You could describe my livestreams as online concerts, but I think of them more as virtual campfire jams, where I get to chat to my viewers throughout, play songs they want to hear, and all with crystal clear audio (it’s nothing like a Zoom concert!) from the comfort of our homes.

Come say hi on twitch.tv/zoewrenmusic

I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?

Thanks for interviewing me, and for providing a space for people to discover indie artists, I appreciate that!