When did you start making music? 

I began writing songs at 15 or 16, and started taking it seriously when I was 17. That was also when I started teaching myself how to produce. Having a manager didn’t come until much later, though. I put out my first two songs as Spider last year without management. They were ‘Water Sign’ and ‘I’m Fine! I’m Good! I’m Perfect!’, which both went viral on TikTok. ‘Water Sign’ led to me getting the opportunity to work with an amazing music lawyer, who then introduced me to my manager.

Who has influenced Spider the most?

Halsey’s first album Badlands definitely ignited the passion for production in me. Lorde’s lyricism, and ability to create work that becomes the soundtrack to phases of your life, has always been something that I carry with me.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind C.O.A.?

It’s inspired by all the coming-of-age moments I finally got to experience when I moved to London by myself. I was unlocking all these different parts of myself that I didn’t even know existed. C.O.A is what finding myself has sounded like so far, from the perspective of a young person of colour just figuring out life. Everything is very centred around white experiences.

What was your reaction to ‘Water Sign’ going viral?

Immense gratitude. Like, If I could say grateful in 15 different languages I would. I love that song so much. Most of it was created in my childhood room in Dublin, at some point during lockdown 1 or 2, so to think it’s managed to weasel its way into so many people’s ears is mad.

What makes Spider stand out?

One thing is the fact that I’m not afraid to be a little polarising. I’m very loud about the lack of people of colour in the alternative genre, and the lack of representation in mainstream media. I’m here to make good music, make people mad, and help change the industry norm. C.O.A was entirely self-produced, and made in solitude.

• C.O.A is out now.