By: Jessica Hatchett
Photo By Airy Something
Q) You’ve described yourself as “living and dying by your own sword.” What are the pros and cons of being an independent artist?
A) Now that’s a tough one but I’ll try my best to give a few!
Pros:
- You have smaller teams. It’s a big family vibe. I love them all and their opinions really do matter to me.
- The “think it, do it” approach. I don’t have to run every single idea past every single team member.
- The flexibility of releases and campaigns.
- Lower budgets means there’s less stakes sometimes. If something’s not working I can course-correct and take a new approach.
Cons:
- Less budget [laughs]
- More workload. I have to be head of creative, social media, live streaming, engaging…. Oh, and make the music too.
- Constant self promotion. As an Irish person I find it so hard to promote myself all the time [laughs]
- The loneliness of working by myself a lot.
Q) You recorded twenty-two songs in three days in Nashville. How did working at that pace and being in “Music City” influence you?
A) It definitely motivates me A LOT. I think the giddiness and excitement of being in a studio with the world’s best musicians is the best fuel. It makes me want to be as productive as I can and maximize most out of every single minute I have with them. Even before any trip, I really try and have as much tracks written and demo’d up as I possibly can.
Q) You’ve been performing “Working for the Man” for over a decade. Was there ever a moment when you considered not releasing it? What made you ultimately go ahead?
A) I was so proud of the song after I wrote it and was so excited to put it out. For reasons out of my control, it never made it onto the first album. When I recorded it again in Nashville, I was selfishly recording it solely for myself. With no expectations of it making the album. So, when my team suggested for it to be the first single – I was taken aback! So, it’s not that I never wanted to release it, I just didn’t know if it ever would!
Q) Fans have connected with this song long before it was officially released. What’s the most memorable or unexpected reaction you’ve ever seen to it?
A) I did a little private show for my Patron community in London where I was playing a whole bunch of the new songs acoustically. When I intro’d the track there was a few giddy yelps, super excited faces and applause. They’d put one and one together that it was going to be on the new album. Which was such a heartwarming welcome to receive.
Q) You’ve had songs that took years to release and others that came out much more quickly. How do you decide when a song is ready?
A) In my opinion, a song is never done. You could spend infinite time fiddling with it. We have a rule of “will it sell more records?” So, if I’m bogged down in a snare sound or a vocal reverb, is it actually going to make THAT much of a difference? Nothing makes a song finished quite like a deadline. [laughs]
Q) What’s the longest you’ve held onto a song before recording and releasing it? Do you have anything older than “Working for the Man” in your back pocket?
A) This is the longest, for sure! There is one other but we wrote it the day after “Working For The Man.” Jack and I wrote another called “Nothing Lost, Something Found.” POTENTIALLY, I have a whole bunch I wrote in my early teens, but I don’t know if they’ll ever see the light of day.
Q) With “Working For The Man” out now, is this a prelude to a full album or an EP?
A) There’s a whole new album on the horizon!
Q) You’ve spoken openly about personal struggles in the past. When you’re writing, how do you decide which parts of yourself to protect and which parts to expose?
A) I honestly don’t think about it. I write what my heart says in the moment. If the song is good enough, I trust the universe – that I was meant to write about it in that moment and that I’m ready to share it with the world.
Q) You’ve built a strong identity as a storyteller. Is there a non-musical experience – maybe a film, book, place – that has helped shaped your writing? Maybe something you go back to when having writer’s block?
A) The most inspiring place for me is at home with my parents. My dad built it and it’s the only home I’ve known. It’s grounding to be there. Instantly I’m taken back to being a kid. I was reminded of hacking the country lanes with my pony, playing hide and seek in the forest and the childhood bedroom that knows me better than I know myself.
Q) Are you better recording at a fast pace like in Nashville or do you prefer having a longer stint in the studio?
A) I’m far better suited to the fast lane of Nashville. I don’t have to picture how any part/any instrument will sound. It’s all right there in front of me. The less thinking more doing approach does wonders for my adhd brain.
Q) Is there a topic you haven’t yet written about that you now feel ready to explore?
A) I would love to write a love song one day… I’ve been doing this fourteen years and I don’t have a love song to my name. [laughs] I’d need a healthy happy relationship first though.
Q How does it feel when you have Russell Crowe comparing you to Stevie Nicks and Jack Savorretti, praising you for doing things your way?
A) Totally surreal, if I’m honest! It’s incredibly high praise that I hope to live up to one day.
Q) Who would be your dream collaboration – either as a producer/songwriter or as a duet partner on stage?
A) I would absolutely love to work with the Cadillac Three/ Muscadine Bloodline/ Chris Stapleton. But also, to do a song with Dolly [Parton] would be truly mental!
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?
A) The biggest thank you ever. I can’t believe I’m still here, doing my dream “job.” It wouldn’t be possible (at al!) without their love and support. I’m grateful with every fibre of my being – I just hope they know that.