Musician Misty Miller in Chadwick Tyler’s film

Singer-songwriter Misty Miller has just turned 16 and has yet to release an album – but she’s already captivated the music and fashion world with her self-penned folk songs, accompanied only by her ukulele. Misty played at Bestival this summer and

Singer-songwriter Misty Miller has just turned 16 and has yet to release an album – but she’s already captivated the music and fashion world with her self-penned folk songs, accompanied only by her ukulele. Misty played at Bestival this summer and releases her first EP, Remember, this month, with an album coming out early next year. She’s also been the subject of AnOther’s fashion shoot and film by Chadwick Tyler, styled by Katie Shillingford for the current issue.

Your short film with Chadwick is great, how did you find the experience?
It was fun doing the video – I get really awkward, and Chadwick worked with my awkwardness.

Were you nervous when you started playing for a live audience?
No, I didn’t really have any stage fright. I’ve been playing gigs with my brother since I was about 10 or 11, and I started doing solo gigs with my ukulele about a year ago. My first ever gig was at The New Morning jazz club in Paris.

Do you come from a musical family?
Yeah, my mum was an actress and my dad was a musician. And my brothers are musicians as well, they play in a couple bands.

The ukulele probably wouldn’t be most teenagers’ choice – why did you decide to pick it up?
I started playing the ukulele when I was 13 – it was a gift from my dad. I started teaching myself and just got addicted to playing it. People associate it with people like George Formby, but I like to do it a bit differently. It’s a lot easier to carry around then a guitar… I play the guitar a bit too, but the ukulele just seemed to fit with me.

How do you balance school with your career as a musician?
I was recording my first album while I was studying for my GCSEs and I didn’t know how I’d get through, but I managed it. At school I like philosophy, I’m reading a good book right now called Sophie’s World. I’m starting college now, but I’m going to be flexible, since music is what I want to do.

What musicians have inspired you?
What I’m inspired by and what I listen to for fun are pretty different. I’m inspired by people’s voices, like the Carpenters – Karen Carpenter in particular. I’m more influenced by great songwriting and individual songs than by specific artists. I also listen to rockabilly stuff like Dan Sartain and I love Bob Dylan.

Text by Karen Orton

Misty Miller’s debut EP Remember is released on September 27

Film Chadwick Tyler Styling Katie Shillingford Talent Misty Miller Singer, Songwriter Hair James Pecis at D + V Management using L’oreal Professional Make-up Hiromi Ueda at Julian Watson Agency Video Editing Agata Segafredo and Tyler Sparks Sound Dan Rejmer Manicurist Mike Pocock at Streeters London for N'Applique Photographic assistant Christian Bragg Styling assistant Nell Kalonji Hair assistant Yumi Nakada Make-up assistant Nobuko Maekawa

Misty wears printed sleeveless t-shirt by Acne; Checked trousers by Richard Nicoll; All jewellery Misty’s own