INTERVIEW: Lucy Whittaker — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Lucy Whittaker

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WITH her single, Curious, out today…

I have been talking with Lucy Whittaker about the song and its inspirations; what is coming up for her in terms of gigs and material and what sort of music she responds to – including a few albums that are important to her.

Whittaker discusses her goals and how important it is being on stage; what her objectives are for next year and how she spends her time away from music – she chooses a great song to end the interview with.

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Hi, Lucy. How are you? How has your week been?

I’m great, thank you! I’m having a good week – finalising release plans for Curious and finishing off the video. It’s an exciting time!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m Lucy Whittaker; a Pop artist from London. All you need to know about me is that I live with a dog with one eye.

Tell me about the single, Curious. What is the story behind the song?

To put it bluntly, the track is about stealing a girl off a boy - I’ll let you imagine how it all went down!

How do you think it differs to something like Who’s Gonna Know?

Curious is more lighthearted than Who’s Gonna Know. It still packs a punch, but I wanted to write something that felt more playful and cheeky. The track is fun but it has a deeper message - be true to who you are and enjoy it.

Might we see more material next year? How far ahead are you looking?

Yes! I’m in the studio right now putting the finishing touches to my next two singles and there might be an E.P. on the way…

Do you recall your earliest musical memory? Which artist or song first struck your mind?

I have a vague memory of hitting pots and pans with wooden spoons when I was really young. I can't remember what I was jamming along to, but knowing my parents it was probably some Reggae or The Rolling Stones!

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

By the end of 2018, I want to have reached new people with my music. I’m really hoping that Curious will help me to build on the progress I’ve already made and push me a little bit further along in my career. I’m also planning on releasing some of my favourite covers on Spotify so people can hear something a bit different from me.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

For me, it’s probably when I supported Craig David last Christmas. The event sold out and there were 15,000 people there. The atmosphere was like nothing I’ve ever experienced and to get up there and do my thing was the most amazing feeling.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

This is such a tough question! I honestly can’t pick a definitive three - but some of the albums that spring to mind are:

Michael Jackson – Bad

Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster

Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city

I really got into Michael Jackson’s music when I was twelve and it opened me up to music in a way I didn’t think was possible. To me, everything about his music is perfect and Bad is packed full of bangers. Lady Gaga played a big part in me accepting who I am. I have always loved how confident she is in her identity and how she portrays it through her music and The Fame Monster was released at a time when I needed it the most. good kid, m.A.Ad city is just banger after banger.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Lady Gaga. Her shows are mind-blowing and to be a part of that would be a dream come true. In terms of my rider, as long as I’ve got a plate of Caribbean food in front of me, I’m happy!

Might there be some gigs coming up this/next year?

There are some really exciting shows on the horizon in 2019, so keep your eyes peeled.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Remember why you started making music and how it makes you feel. When things get tough, try and maintain a positive mindset and hold on to that feeling. Also, my number-one tip is to have good people around you who have your best interests at heart - they are the people who will cheer you on in your best moments and keep you going in the difficult ones.

How important is it being on the stage and playing your music to the people?

So important! Playing live gives me a chance to connect with my fans and make some magic. No two shows are ever the same, so it’s always special to play live and share that experience with people. I feel like playing with my band really takes the tracks to a new level and gives people a new way of hearing my music.