FEATURE: Spotlight: Erin LeCount — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Erin LeCount

_________

AFTER a string of…

incredible live dates last year, I know that there will be a lot of demand for the wonderful Erin LeCount. She is a singer songwriter, musician and producer from Chelmsford. I first heard her when the E.P., Soft Skin, Restless Bones, arrived in September of last year. One of my favourite E.P.s from last year, I was instantly struck by Erin LeCount’s music. Someone who instantly draws you in, I hope there is more new music this year. Among the acts booked for The Great Escape festival in May, she is someone that I would recommend you check out. Perhaps the first bit of news and buzz I heard around Erin LeCount’s music was when she released the awesome single, Heartbreak Hotel. It arrived in July. I was instantly struck by it. This is what Mystic Sons wrote when they spotlighted a stunning single from a hugely and accomplished artist:

“After originally breaking through with her spellbinding debut single 'Killing Time' last year, Essex-based singer, songwriter and producer Erin LeCount returns to deliver news of her eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Soft Skins, Restless Bones', featuring the wondrous new outing 'Heartbreak Hotel'.

Channelling a beautifully sweet and effervescent direction throughout her newest effort, 'Heartbreak Hotel' instantly cements her as one of the most exciting names on the rise right now. With her beautifully soul-infused voice layered across a progressive production from start to finish, she looks set to become one of 2023's most talked about new artists doing the rounds.

Adding about the track, she said, “‘Heartbreak Hotel’ is an upbeat, yet resentful reflection on the relationships in my life that have seen me trying to ‘fix’ partners and the expectation that is often placed on young women, to be rehabilitation centres for men, perform emotional labour and temporarily fulfil a mother or therapist role rather than be a girlfriend. All those built up frustrations and bitter feelings of being disposable or used gave me a chance in this song to get spiteful and vengeful rather than sad. ‘Check in, check out, I’m a hotel / My loves a rehab for boys who couldn’t save themselves’ is a playful retaliation against how unfair it feels to pour love into patching someone up, only for them to leave once they’ve received what they needed”.

In August, Wonderland. spoke with Erin LeCount was asked about her wonderful E.P., Soft Skin, Restless Bones. For anyone who has not heard it, do take some time out and experience this wonderful offering from one of our best young songwriters:

“Get to know the stellar talents of Erin LeCount with her new music that embodies a captivating journey, delving into emotions and self-discovery. Her debut EP, “Soft Skin, Restless Bones”, is a mesmerising blend of ethereal vocals, cinematic soundscapes, and poignant storytelling. The lead single, “Heaven” is a soulful gospel-infused track that explores finding solace in the support of women, community, and family during challenging times, a sentiment beautifully echoed throughout the EP.

LeCount’s songwriting is a revelation, offering a sincere and confessional glimpse into her experiences, growth, and heartaches. The EP’s tracks such as “Killing Time”, “Don’t Ask” and “Bday Blues” highlight her ability to navigate complex emotions with an introspective touch. With influences ranging from Fiona Apple to FKA Twigs, LeCount crafts an innovative alternative-pop narrative that resonates deeply.

“Soft Skin, Restless Bones” encapsulates the essence of youthful introspection and transformation. Erin LeCount’s artistry shines bright, and her debut EP is an intimate, melancholic, and ultimately uplifting masterpiece that establishes her as an artist poised for a remarkable musical journey. We sat down with the star to get to know her early days, creative processes and future plans…

Hey Erin! How are you? What does a day in the life look like for you currently?

I’m well, thank you – excited! Most days are super routine, I wake up super early and walk or exercise because my brain needs the endorphins and I need activity all the time. Sounds boring but I spend pretty much all day, every day in my shed in the garden where I make music. I’ll be writing and producing or filming and editing or rehearsing, usually with a few zoom calls or walks or something dotted in between. It’s my little safe space. Every now and then there’s a few weeks where I come out of hermit mode, and I’ll be seriously on the go for meetings or sessions or gigs, all the social butterfly duties where I get some kind of outside world contact and then I retreat back to the shed with new things to write about and the cycle continues, I kind of like it that way.

Tell us about your early days. How did you fall in love with music?

When I was little I was proper “away with the fairies” – I’d tell lots of stories, I’d write them down and they’d turn into weird long monologue songs and I took any opportunity to be as loud as I could and put on shows for anyone who’d give me the attention. Then I kept doing it wherever I got the opportunity. I always felt like I was winging it and I never committed to real lessons because I just liked making whatever noise I wanted to be honest and I was having fun so never felt the need to. A primary school music teacher owned this great local music venue, the ‘Hermit Club’ in Brentwood – and he let me and friends rehearse there every weekend, (I owe him a lot for that) and I feel like I kept ending up on stage making my noise since then.

Who have been main inspirations to you personally and musically throughout your journey so far?

The artists I first loved were your standard British artist answers – Adele, Duffy and Florence as a kid, those big, loud voices and the drama of it all. They were the ones I sang along to all the time and they probably inspired me to start. Sampha, Kate Bush, BANKS made me want to produce. Then I feel like this sounds so soppy but my main inspirations are the people that I know personally who are doing music too – the people I’ve met the last couple of years and befriended, collaborated with, the producers I’ve worked with who just let me watch over their shoulders in awe and ask questions. When I started doing sessions aged seventeen / eighteen, I just remember thinking I wanted to be like them, seeing the way they’d mastered their craft gave me this excitement to want to start and I was so desperate to understand it all more.

Congratulations on your debut EP “Soft Skin, Restless Bones”! Tell us about the message and motive behind the EP?

Thank you! The songs on this are quite literally some of the first ones I ever made which is so fitting because this EP is about all the ‘first times’ I felt and experienced a lot of things, so it feels like reading my own diary. I had this feeling I’d missed out on most of my best years, so between 17-19 years old I kind of tried to make up for it by throwing myself headfirst into self destructive stuff – relationships (Killing Time, Heartbreak Hotel), making my first real bad mistakes and running away from them (Mind the Gap), having my first experience relapsing with my mental health as an adult where I suddenly realised I wasn’t a child anymore and I had more responsibility to take care of myself now (Don’t Ask, Bday Blues) and I was just documenting it all as I was feeling it. Each of the six songs on the EP are “aha” moments I had during that time, the big and small moments of self awareness or realisation”.

I am going to end with a recent interview from Ticketmaster. With a stunning single mashup in White Ferrari x I Know The End, there was new interest and curiosity around an artist always evolving. Someone who never sits still when it comes to her music. It is going to be amazing to see what comes from Erin LeCount this year. Even though she has been performing and writing for years now, I feel that the best is still ahead. Make sure you follow LeCount on social media:

“Erin LeCount’s debut EP, Soft Skin, Restless Bones, has garnered attention for its poignant lyrics, ethereal vocals and cinematic compositions. With a sold-out headline show in 2023, backing from the BBC, and a record deal with Good As Gold – a London label founded by music producer Kurtis McKenzie (known for his work with Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat and Selena Gomez) – Erin is set for a massive 2024.
Her most recent release ‘White Ferrari x I Know The End’ is a stunning synthwave mashup of the respective Frank Ocean and Phoebe Bridgers tracks. It’s become a fast fan favourite on TikTok, with an intensity and build-up that will make you feel like the main character conquering a second act crisis. Recently unveiled as part of The Great Escape line-up and having just landed back in the UK following a writing trip to LA, Erin LeCount stopped by to discuss music, shows and more.

When did you first know you wanted to pursue music? Was there anyone in those early days who really helped nurture your passion?

I had a really great music teacher when I was in primary school who came in once a week. He let me use his music club venue every weekend. And I think doing that consistently when I was about nine made me hyper-fixate on music. I couldn’t really imagine doing anything else from that point.

Who are your influences?

Kate Bush, Fiona Apple, Imogen Heap, Sampha, Sylvan Esso. That’s a good list.

What’s been your biggest challenge so far?

Good question. I think the biggest challenge has been finding a balance between always wanting to improve, but also recognising how much you have learned and how far you’ve come already, and appreciating that.

You’ve got to celebrate the wins! Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years? I would want to have a few more projects released, to have done a tour, and to do a support slot for an artist I really love… There are dream venues…”.

Someone who is ambitious and has the talent to fulfil those ambitions, it is always a treat getting new material from Erin LeCount. Keep your eyes peeled, as this year is going to be a busy one for her. She is an artist I connected with the moment I heard her music. Many others feel the same. If you are unfamiliar with the brilliant Erin LeCount, then do make sure that you check her out. She truly is…