Meet the ‘Belles and Gals’ Team – #3 Laura C
Belles and Gals has a fast growing team of enthusiastic and passionate individuals, all wanting to spread the word about the music we all love. Today is the second in a series where you get to meet the team – we’ll be interviewing each team member and they’ll be telling us all about the artists they love! Today we interview Laura C!
Hi Laura! To start, tell us a little bit about yourself?!
Hi! My name’s Laura, I’m 30 and originally from Lancashire but now live in London with my husband Nick and my two cats, Thor and Loki. By day I work in PR for a responsible business charity, but by night I write about country music on my blog Cherry Soda and for a few country music websites (including Belles & Gals)! When I’m not working, writing or at gigs I spend my spare time running, cooking, reading and sewing.
What was it that got you interested in country music in the first place?
I think country music was always there in my life – I grew up listening to my dad’s Johnny Cash and John Denver records and had a line-dancing phase as a kid, plus I loved Michelle Branch’s country-pop band The Wreckers when I was a teenager. But it really kicked in about five years ago when Nashville first aired in the UK. I was completely drawn in by this beautiful music and the storytelling in the songs, and my love of country music just grew from there.
If you had to pick three favourite artists, who would you choose?
Carrie Underwood – her voice is just incredible, whether she’s belting out a stompy rock-influenced song or singing a gorgeous ballad
Kacey Musgraves – I love the humour in her songs and how she mixes old-school style country with fiercely passionate messages about being true to yourself
Lauren Alaina – she’s got such a great pop-country sensibility but also writes songs that are very open and isn’t afraid to speak about the bad things she’s been through in her life
And if you could only listen to one album ever again, which one would it be?
Miranda Lambert – The Weight Of These Wings. It’s so hard to pick just one but I’m a huge fan of Miranda’s and for me this album runs the gamut of everything that’s great about her music, from the silly fun songs like Pink Sunglasses and We Should Be Friends to heartbreakers like Tin Man and Vice. It’s a very emotional record and I love the storytelling that runs through it.
What has been your personal highlight in country music?
I’ve been incredibly lucky that my writing has led me to meet a lot of different musicians and see some great gigs, but I’d say one of my big highlights was interviewing Lucie Silvas earlier this year. She was so warm and friendly and just lovely to chat to. I’ve been a fan of hers for ages and am really looking forward to her new album coming out next year.
If you had to pick an artist to watch, who would it be?
Jillian Jacqueline. I saw her twice during Country Music Week earlier this year and she was absolutely phenomenal. Her songs are really honest and open and I think she’s going to be a huge star in the future. I can’t wait for her to release an album!
What is the most embarrassing record you have ever bought?!
I’ve bought a lot of embarrassing records in my time, but I think it would probably be Hanson – Middle Of Nowhere. It was the first album I ever bought (I was nine and had such a huge crush on Zac) and I look back on it now and cringe!
To finish, tell us the last gig you went to, the last album you played and the last song you played on your phone!
Last gig I went to: Katy Hurt and Friends meets the Round Up, in Shoreditch just before Christmas
Last album I played: Kelsea Ballerini – Unapologetically
Last song I played on my phone: Daughter – Brandy Clark
Follow Laura on Twitter at twitter.com/cherrysodablog
