Music News

Belles and Gals Live Spotlight! – Roisin O’Hagan

February 19, 2019 Nick Cantwell belles and gals showcase, country music, drive, essex, miss you like june, roisin o'hagan, singer songwriter

This Sunday sees the second ‘Belles and Gals’ showcase live event, an event highlighting some of the very best talent on the UK country scene! Tickets here – http://www.wegottickets.com/event/457748

The showcase takes place at the legendary Water Rats venue in London on Sunday evening and for the next four days we’ll be taking an in depth look at each of the four artists.

Today we start with Essex based Roisin O’Hagan, an artist whose star has been very much on the rise in recent years. Roisin first caught our eye back at the start of 2018, which saw the start of a series of features throughout the year, highlighting her hit songs such as ‘Miss You Like June’ and ‘Drive’.

We caught up for quick and fun chat with Roisin this week!

What was it that got you started in the music industry. And what is about country music in particular that you are drawn to?

I’ve always been obsessed with songs; I knew from a really young age that I wanted to write songs to make people feel something in the way that my favourite songs did for me. Even at around 10 years old I would scribble lyrics and memorise the melodies to them! When I was around 12, I got shown a few chords on the guitar and that was it really. I haven’t stopped wanting more ever since! One of my favourite things about country music is that there are so many different forms and sub-genres of it. As a songwriter, I take inspiration from so many different artists who have their own strain of country running through their sound. Listening to so many artists who incorporate country in their music but aren’t *just* country has been really influential to the way I write and has taught me to not feel I have to keep my sound in a particular box.

And which artists have influenced you in your career, and who are you listening to right now?!

My two songwriting heroes are Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) and Taylor Swift for sure! What I’m listening to jumps around a lot, but right now I’m listening to the new Ward Thomas, The 1975 and Nina Nesbitt albums, I recently became obsessed with Tenille Townes’ music and I have Tom Speight’s ‘Old Flame’ on repeat.

You’re hosting a fantasy dinner party. You can invite three famous people (alive or dead) – who do you invite?

Adam Duritz and Taylor Swift, duh! I’d love to meet them and learn all their secrets. Thirdly, Tom Hanks, because he’s just really cool and I think he’d be really interesting at a dinner party.

For a more in-depth interview with Roisin, check out our live video chat in association with Art Will Fall below

Miss You Like June – Roisin O’Hagan

The Belles and Gals Showcase features Becky Lawrence, Joey Clarkson and Shannon Hynes alongside Roisin (tomorrow’s spotlight piece will feature Joey!)