On Our Radar: Fears discusses her record label and new single, 'vines'

How does the making of your new ‘vines’ single compare to its predecessors, ‘tonnta’ and ‘two_'? 

‘vines’ was actually written a few years ago, around the same time as ‘tonnta’. I think my music reflects moods in shorter periods in time, as opposed to long changes. One day I might want to start on a guitar, another day I’m more driven to make a beat to build around.

That was the case for ‘vines’. It’s really important to me to try and create moods and feelings with the music, maybe even more so than the lyrics. A lot of the time, I think I’m a producer first and lyricist second. I wanted something that felt like confusion, with contrasting feelings of washiness against precise, harsh sounds. What was happening inside my head was the image of waves hitting a concrete pier. Trying again and again to change something that just will not move.

What inspired its themes of confusion and being lost?

I was in a situation with someone where I felt I was to blame. It was written at the time I was still in it, so it can feel a bit weird when I listen back, now knowing that wasn’t the case. I try to do that with my music – not just write in a reflective way, but also in a present way. Sometimes when you’ve been convinced of things over a long period of time, you completely lose the ability to step back and look at how the ‘old you’ would see it.

Blame is a weird thing. I felt like I was the worst person ever, to be honest. I was taking myself to therapy saying, “I’m impossible to be with because I can’t stop doing x, y and z”. I reached a breaking point and ended up in the hospital.

What was behind the decision to start your own label (TULLE) last year? 

I had been looking for a home for Oíche for a little while, but it was really important to me that the label I was releasing it on was owned by women. A lot of the topics are ones that I feel safer working with women on.

I had it in my head that TULLE was something I would do later on, maybe in a few years, but after talking to amazing women I met working in music in London, we decided to just go for it. I figured I’m probably not the only one more comfortable working in this way.

It was important for me that we got the right distributor, and PR etc, and somehow we pulled that off. Getting the support of indie retailers across the UK has been amazing, and we have a wonderful label manager at our distributor in New York. Part of me can’t believe how quickly it’s come together. We’re obviously tiny right now, but as both the artist and label founder, I’m feeling probably the most comfortable I could feel putting out a release that is so personal to me.

• ‘vines’ is out now. Fears’ debut album, Oiche, is due for release on May 7.