From being paid with chips to signing a music deal

Lissy Taylor, a singer-songwriter from Stoke-on-Trent, has recently achieved a major milestone in her music career by signing a deal with Universal Music Group. This is a significant accomplishment, as she is believed to be the first woman from her city to sign with the global music company. Lissy’s journey began when she was a teenager, performing Amy Winehouse covers at open-mic nights in local pubs. Back then, she was paid not with money, but with chips. Now, about a decade later, she has gone from those humble beginnings to sharing stages with some of her musical idols, such as Noel Gallagher, the Lottery Winners, and Miles Kane. Lissy describes this new chapter as both exciting and challenging, knowing she will need to work extremely hard to make the most of this opportunity.

Growing up in Trentham, Lissy was surrounded by music. Her family home was always filled with the sounds of Britpop and indie rock bands from the 1990s, especially Oasis. Her uncle was a big music fan and had many photos and pictures from concerts he attended, which inspired Lissy. She remembers looking at those pictures and thinking how amazing it was that people could perform on stage, never imagining she would one day do something similar. Despite her love for singing, Lissy was a shy child. It wasn’t until she picked up a guitar at age 13 that she started to come out of her shell. Music gave her confidence and helped her find her voice.

After discovering her passion, Lissy began performing at open-mic nights, often accompanied by her mother. She recalls how one venue would give her chips as a reward for her performances. These early experiences were important for her, as they helped her realize that music was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. For a while, Lissy balanced her music with a job as a teacher at Newcastle College. However, in 2024, she decided to focus entirely on her music career. She spent most of the year writing songs and performing at gigs, including a memorable show supporting Noel Gallagher at the Y Not Festival. Lissy describes performing alongside her heroes as inspiring and a dream come true.

It was during this busy period that Universal Music Group approached her. Lissy announced her signing at a concert at the Bet365 stadium, proudly wearing a Stoke City football shirt. She has since released her first single with Universal, titled Jealous, and has been thrilled by the positive response from fans. Looking back, Lissy reflects on how far she has come, from being a shy child to a confident performer. She believes her journey shows the power of music to change lives. Lissy encourages other aspiring musicians to keep going, even when things get tough, saying that determination and passion can help you achieve your dreams.