Aimee Carty - On Our Radar Q&A: "Every year, I look back and it’s cool to know I’ve gotten a lot more confident"

Your song ‘2 Days Into College’ quickly went viral. How did it feel to receive such a huge response?

It was pretty crazy, and I was definitely surprised we reached so many people. I wrote it sitting on my dorm room floor, and it was really just me trying to figure things out in my head. I was a bit overwhelmed with starting college, and also really excited. It was really cool to know other people felt the same. People even made their own version online, which was really cool to see.

When did the song’s success properly strike you?

The moment it sank in that the music meant something would probably be the first show, because it was the first time I had ever heard people sing my lyrics, and also the first time I met the fans in real life. Before that, I had traction online, and I knew a lot of people were listening to the songs, but it’s definitely different in real life.

Your Child Again project explores themes of family and growth. What was it like revisiting that period of your life?

It’s very cathartic. A lot of the time I sit down and don’t know what I’m gonna write about, and I end up with something really emotional. It helps me make sense of life and untangle things in my head.

Your recent song ‘Younger Me’ explores your early performance anxiety. How does it feel to look back on your progress?

I wrote it the Christmas before last, when I was singing in the local carol service – I’ve sung in it every year ever since I was eight. Every year, I look back and it’s cool to know I’ve gotten a lot more confident. I’m actually very grateful I went through the rough patch with so many nerves when I was younger.

• Follow Aimee Carty on Instagram @aimee.cartymusic