We're not Birdy

It’s safe to say the teenage years of Jasmine van den Bogaerde – Birdy, if you're into the whole brevity thing – haven’t followed the usual trajectory. In more ways than one. Let’s set aside the million upon millions of online views that have been amassing since the world took a shine to her cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’ back in 2010, BRIT nominations and sessions penning songs with Mumford and Sons’ members.

Whilst most people get moodier as they enter their teens, Birdy confesses that she started off writing songs of real sorrow at the age of eight and has only just reached a cheery place creatively, aged 17.

“I’d never thought of it like that,” she reflects. “I don’t know why I was so sad. All of my songs were quite sad and I think it has something to do with the piano.

“Also where I live,” she continues in plummy tones that attest to her upbringing on her grandfather Lord Teynham’s 1,500 acre Hampshire estate, Pylewell Park. “Just because it’s so secluded and beautiful. Reflective.”

Her brothers would fill their mill house with a mournful brand of indie rock, whilst her musical creativity comes from her mother, concert pianist Sophie Roper-Curzon.

“It’s been a real mix, because I love classical music – and pop music.”

Birdy’s self-titled debut was a covers record, owing to her knack for adapting the work of others and more pragmatic considerations – finishing school. Now taking time away from college, last year’s Fire Within is a chiefly original affair.

“It was quite scary as no one’s heard anything original before. It does feel like starting again. But I’m more excited, really, because I feel more attached to these songs.”

To guide the process, heavy-hitting songsmiths such as Ryan Tedder (One Republic), Ben Lovett (Mumford and Sons) and Ariel Rechstaid were drafted in. Birdy recalls how it felt like being part of an elite songwriting workshop everyday.

“It was really weird to me because it was the first time I’d ever done co-writing. It was a whole new thing which was kinda terrifying at first. But I loved it and the songs are really different to what I normally write on my own. I just wanted to experiment a bit and try new things. It was a really good experience for me and I learnt a lot.”

Still, she insists it was important that she stamped her identity on the LP.

“You definitely have to be confident with your ideas and how you want the songs to sound. Which I was. With all the artists I worked with, it was always a 50/50 thing, where it was really important to listen to each other.”

The results are brighter than her first.

“It definitely is a bit more light-hearted. Has more of a drive to it. All the new songs I’m writing are like that actually. I’ve started writing a lot on the guitar and they’re all much happier!”

There's plenty to be pleased about.

“Definitely, of course there is. I’m not a sad person!” she laughs. “I’m really happy normally!”

Right now, speaking before a gig in London’s Forum – the final performance of this leg of her tour – she has a few butterflies.

“I’m always nervous before a show. It takes a while to get into it and then it’s really where I feel most comfortable: on stage. But all my family are coming tonight so it’s kind of the scariest show!”

Actually playing in front of them aside, her family have provided an invaluable support system since she embarked on her nascent career in music. With the debate over how young women are treated by the industry still raging, the singer is firm in saying that she’s never had any negative experiences.

“No, definitely not. For me it’s all about my music. I know how I want it to sound and be. There’s never been any pressures to do anything I didn’t want to.”

Birdy's Fire Within is out now