Freya Ridings, musician and singer-songwriter, discusses her difficult school days, her unconventional approach to learning piano, and the importance of writing her own songs. They also explore topics such as finding silver linings in lockdown, overcoming dyslexia, and the therapeutic power of songwriting.
Freya found solace and authenticity in playing the piano, despite feeling out of place in school.
Support from her family, particularly her mom, played a vital role in boosting Freya's confidence to be her authentic self.
Freya sees her dyslexia as a unique way of thinking and problem-solving, using music to express herself and encourage others with dyslexia.
Deep dives
Finding passion in music
Freya Rydings shares how she discovered her passion for music and the piano, despite struggling to find her place in school. She recalls feeling neither cool nor academic, but when she sat down at the piano, she found a sense of authenticity and happiness. Despite challenges, she held onto her passion and wrote songs that reflected her true self.
Overcoming shyness and embracing authenticity
Freya Rydings discusses her journey of overcoming shyness and learning to be authentic in her music career. She shares how her family's support, especially her mom's wisdom, played a crucial role in boosting her confidence. She emphasizes the importance of standing tall and taking up space, not conforming to societal expectations, and staying true to oneself.
Navigating dyslexia and turning it into a superpower
Freya Rydings opens up about her experience with dyslexia and how she embraced it as a superpower rather than a limitation. Growing up, she faced challenges in school due to her dyslexia, but with the support of her family, she turned to music to express herself. She encourages others with dyslexia to see it as a unique way of thinking and problem-solving.
The power of holding on and staying authentic
Freya Rydings shares the importance of holding on to one's authentic self, especially in the music industry. She highlights the value of writing her own songs and controlling her own narrative, rather than changing to fit industry expectations. She believes that authenticity is the key to connecting with people and creating a lasting impact in the music world.
Embracing music as therapy and finding silver linings
Freya Rydings discusses the therapeutic power of music and the ability to find silver linings in challenging times. She talks about how playing the piano and writing songs became an outlet for her emotions. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy and meaning in the process, as well as appreciating the support of friends, family, and fans along the journey.
Fresh from her Happy Place Virtual Festival performance, Freya talks to Fearne about her difficult school days, her unconventional approach to learning piano and the importance she places on writing her own songs.
Discover the full Happy Place Festival line-up - all for free - at happyplacefestival.com
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