Sound Advice from SJ Mortimer

When singer-songwriter SJ Mortimer wrote her single "Don't Underestimate Me," it was a cathartic release of years of self-doubt, industry noise, and people telling her what she could or couldn't achieve as a woman in music. At YEAH!, we believe that every young person’s voice deserves to be heard on their own terms. We sat down with SJ to talk about reclaiming your creative power, trusting your gut, navigating live performance, and redefining what true success looks like in an industry that so often tries to put artists in a box. Whether you're a young musician taking your first steps on stage, an aspiring songwriter finding your rhythm, or a fan of authentic music, SJ’s real-talk insights are a powerful reminder to play loud, support your peers, and never let anyone underestimate what you can do. Read on for SJ’s thoughts!

YEAH!: What inspired you to write "Don't Underestimate Me"?

SJ: I wrote ‘Don’t Underestimate Me’ at a time when I felt I had something to prove as a singer songwriter. I needed an outlet for the negative energy that had been building up inside me from many years of being squished by the music industry. A song to push through self-doubt and release the rage. 

YEAH!: Have there been moments in your career where you felt underestimated? What happened, and how did those experiences shape you?

SJ: When you're a woman in music, people love to share their opinion about you and judge what you should and shouldn’t do, and what you're capable of as a singer. There was a time in my life when a few different people told me to just focus on singing not songwriting. It broke me a bit and I didn’t have the confidence to write a song for about 2 years. Then I realised I can write songs and I didn’t need to listen to anyone who told me I wasn’t good enough. It’s a craft that you work at and there are no rules to it. When I finally believed I could write songs again, I had a lot more to say, more focus and most importantly more confidence in my own ability. 

YEAH!: What have you learned about confidence as a woman in music?

SJ: As a woman in music I've learnt it’s so important to follow your gut instinct. There is always a man who will try to steer or question you, whether it be with business ideas or your creative musical direction. It’s good to get opinions, but make sure it’s from people you trust and who know you. Women supporting women in music is an amazing thing. I’m lucky to know some incredible female artists who inspire me with their resilience and talent to keep going.

YEAH!: How do you handle rejection, criticism, comparison, or self-doubt?

SJ: Handling criticism and rejection has become easier as I’ve gotten older. Not everyone is going to like your music and that’s on them. A friend of mine said it like this - sounds like an issYOU not an iss-ME - I just love that and now live by it! Self doubt? Still working on that one, but showing up every day and trying our best is all we can do. 

YEAH!: What advice do you wish someone had given you when you were a teenage musician?

SJ: Believe in yourself and go for it! 

YEAH!: What would you tell a young woman who's afraid to speak up, take up space, or pursue music because she thinks she's "not ready"?

SJ: If you don’t feel ready to release music yet, it’s ok to take your time. There’s no “right way” or “easy lane” in the music industry, there is only a journey, and everyone’s journey is different. Be yourself and try not to compare yourself to others, be inspired by them and celebrate their successes. Follow artists who inspire you, go to gigs and support your friends in music - it all helps fuel creativity in a positive light. 

YEAH!: What does success mean to you now versus when you first started?

SJ: It’s easy to get stuck in social media terms when it comes to what “success” is, but really if you're making music, putting your creative passion into it, performing with your heart and you're proud of what you put out into the world, that to me is success - not numbers on a screen.

YEAH!: Any other specific stories, pieces of advice, or interesting thoughts to share with the students?

SJ: My advice about being a musician is to enjoy the ride! The music industry is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but just remember why you're doing it. Always enjoy the gig and leave the stress off stage - when an audience sees you having fun on stage, they have fun too and that connection through music is everything. Singing live is my therapy and my happy place.

Listen to “Don’t Underestimate Me” by SJ Mortimer on Spotify.