Interviews

Harleymoon Kemp returns with a new upbeat country-pop anthem, ‘Back in Tennessee’. An exciting name in UK country music, her rich musical heritage is undeniable. Her father is Spandau Ballet legend Martin Kemp, her mother Shirlie Kemp rose to fame with Pepsi & Shirlie and Wham!, and both Harleymoon and her brother Roman are godchildren to the late George Michael. Over the past few years, Harleymoon has been making her own mark on the country music scene, performing at sold-out shows, securing prominent festival slots, and hosting popular events.

In this exclusive interview, we ask Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals to dive into the inspiration behind the latest single, "Chrysalis," and how it symbolises a personal journey of transformation. Bailey opens up about her creative process, the joys of collaborating with renowned producer Ian Barter, and how her evolution from solo artist to band leader has shaped her sound. She also reflects on what it means to be compared to iconic artists like Taylor Swift and Daisy Jones & The Six, while staying true to her roots in Cornwall's vibrant "Kernowfornia" music scene. From performing at major festivals to intimate gigs, Bailey shares the magic of live shows and what fans can expect from The Locals' upcoming performance.

With her signature Oklahoma twang and gripping storytelling, Kaitlin Butts has been steadily gaining momentum in the country music scene, amassing millions of monthly listeners on Spotify and earning praise from critics who believe she deserves even greater recognition. Rolling Stone describes her latest album as "unafraid to test boundaries."

This summer, she took the stage at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Under the Big Sky, and is currently touring the U.S. with Dierks Bentley. Next week, she’s set to join Flatland Cavalry for a UK tour. I caught up with Kaitlin to delve deeper into her journey and what’s next. Also, listen below.

The internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble, House Gospel Choir, is celebrating a decade of groundbreaking music with the release of their highly anticipated second album. Leading the charge is the uplifting and soulful track "GLOW," featuring collaborations with Rudimental and Afronaut Zu. Released today, August 9th, under the newly launched label Swear Down Music by the Choir's founder and Creative Director, Natalie Maddix, "GLOW" exemplifies the group's signature blend of beats and bass with powerful vocal harmonies.

Venbee is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter whose dance and electronic music, with drum and bass influences, has appealed to millions of listeners. Venbee's breakthrough single "Messy In Heaven" achieved several prominent positions on UK charts and became a hit on the UK dance music scene, spending fifteen weeks at No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. More recently, she was nominated for a 2024 Brit Award and has accumulated over 200 million streams on Spotify.

Performing at this year's Beat-Herder Festival in the penultimate slot before Sunday's headline act on the main stage, Giz from Music Talkers had the chance to chat with her backstage. Watch the full interview below.

"Love War" marks Fiaa Hamilton's debut as a fully-formed artist. Set against a backdrop of dramatic, full-intensity electro-tinged pop, her voice exudes a finesse that instantly feels like an old favorite. With a compelling backstory, Fiaa has plenty of tales to tell.

Cassa Jackson is an independent artist who demonstrates that rising artists can carve out a name for themselves and achieve significant success without major backing. With 15 million streams under her belt and notable performances at venues like Wembley Arena, as well as opening for The Jacksons, things are certainly looking up for the artist. With a new single just released, I caught up with Cassa to ask her a few more questions.

Harleymoon Kemp, a fixture in the UK country music scene, has roots in a renowned musical lineage. Her father, Martin, is known as a member of Spandau Ballet, and her godfather was the late George Michael. Despite these connections, she modestly remains firmly grounded in her country roots. Today, she unveils her newest single, 'What Good Looks Like'. 

Today, Maya Lane unveils her latest folk-pop infused single, 'Heart for a Heart,' marking another milestone in her career. Positioned as the UK's answer to the illustrious pop/country crossover stars of the US, Lane has been steadily carving her path in the industry. With her music already gracing the airwaves of BBC Radio 1 and earning accolades from major press outlets, she has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with. With these achievements in mind, we seized the opportunity to delve deeper into Lane's artistry and aspirations in an interview.

Millie Manders and The Shutup, the cross-genre punk phenomenon, are gearing up for a season of music releases and live performances. Ahead of their double AA-side 7” single release and UK tour, culminating in a highly-anticipated London gig on May 16th, we caught up with Millie Manders to delve deeper into their upcoming projects and plans.

Karley Scott Collins has recently unveiled her newest single, "Marlboro Reds". Building on this latest release, she unmistakably infuses this country tune with a rockier edge, fuelled by her soulful and gritty energy. Hailing from Florida, she has earned a spot in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2024, solidifying her status as one of the most promising emerging female artists. As Karley gears up for her upcoming European tour next month, including a debut at the C2C Festival, we were intrigued to learn more about her artistic journey.

Corey Kent, originally from Oklahoma and now based in Texas, is a rising star in the country music scene. With over 625 million career streams and a Platinum selling status, Kent is gathering momentum with both industry insiders and fans alike. In 2023, he earned recognition as a CMT Listen Up Artist and was named a Pandora Artist to Watch. He also secured spots in The Opry Next Stage Class of 2023 and the Sirius XM Class of 2022. His impressive achievements include a nomination for the AIMP Nashville Country Awards in the category of AIMP Rising Artist-Writer of the Year.

KillerStar seamlessly merges elements of modern and classic rock to craft a distinctive sound characterized by sophisticated harmonies, infectious hooks, and hints of art rock. Their latest album showcases a collection of unforgettable tracks that marry crunchy guitars with layered synths, gripping vocals, and dreamy harmonies.

Billboard charting Chapman Stick® artist Michael Kollwitz has recently shared his new compilation LP, "Best of Serenity," a remaster from his award-winning trilogy of "Serenity" albums.

From his early years, Owen Rivera demonstrated an innate musical gift. His extraordinary talents led him to share stages with musical stars like Jason Mraz, Mavis Staples, and Graham Nash. Astonishingly, his journey began with endorsement deals from esteemed brands like Soultone Cymbals, SJC Custom Drums, Tycoon Percussion, and Ernie Ball when he was just five years old.

Causier, a Leicester native, recently unveiled his latest single, 'So Far,' featuring his labelmate Erin LeCount. Following the release of this collaborative track, we had the opportunity to interview Causier and delve deeper into his journey as an artist.

In a fresh musical venture, two accomplished musicians, Ashley Campbell and Thor Jensen, bring their expertise across a wide range of genres, including Americana, country, bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and rock. Ashley Campbell, daughter of the legendary Glen Campbell, boasts a remarkable resume, having supported luminaries like Kris Kristofferson and The Bellamy Brothers. She also took to the stage as a part of Glen Campbell's band. With their eagerly anticipated debut album set for release in November, I had the opportunity to ask this dynamic duo some questions and delve deeper into their musical journey.

The self-proclaimed "Appalachian country soul music" band, 49 Winchester, has recently played a crucial supporting role for one of the biggest names in the country music scene, Luke Combs. Last week, I had the opportunity to connect with their frontman, Isaac Gibson, via Zoom, where he delved into various topics, such as the surge in country music's popularity in Europe and their experience touring with Luke Combs.

Originating from modest roots in the working-class regions of Wales, the Los Angeles-based artist Jamie Miller has risen to prominence as a breakthrough pop sensation, achieving remarkable international success. With just a single EP and a handful of singles to his name, he has garnered over a billion streams, with 'Here's Your Perfect' alone amassing more than 500 million streams and reaching #2 on Spotify's Global Viral chart. His talent has earned him praise from notable artists such as Sam Smith, BLACKPINK, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, and Jennifer Hudson.

Just last week, Lucas Watt took centre stage at The Deaf Institute in Manchester for his headline show—a milestone reminiscent of his idols, such as The 1975, in their early days. Building on the success of his sold-out Gullivers Manchester headline show earlier this year, The Deaf Institute marked a significant step forward in Lucas's journey. Not only did he rise to the occasion, but he also delivered a standout performance that fostered remarkable crowd engagement and interaction.

Country singer-songwriter Tenille Arts has just finished her UK tour alongside Caylee Hammack. The Platinum-selling Canadian artist has already accumulated her fair share of accolades and has gained high visibility through singles such as “Somebody Like That,” “I Hate This,” and “Back Then, Right Now.”

This summer, Kevin Davy White has taken his unique mix of blues, funk, soul, and rugged classic rock on a journey. He's rocked massive outdoor stages alongside Lionel Richie and Gabrielle, as well as playingh festivals from Montreux Jazz Festival to Weyfest. With popular singles like ‘Honey’, ‘Thousand Stars’, and ‘Tomorrow’, Kevin's lifelong dream comes true as he drops his debut album 'Keep Dreaming Wild', featuring the standout track ‘It Will Come’.

Lauded for his devotion to country traditions, Tyler Booth took to the stage at the UK's C2C earlier this year. His next appearance will be at The Long Road Festival on August 26th, followed by his inaugural UK Headline tour, featuring performances in Manchester, London, and Glasgow. Booth's talent has also seen him share the spotlight with notable names like Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi, Brooks & Dunn, and Cody Johnson. Excitingly, he is slated to kick off Jake Owen's "Loose Cannon Tour" in the upcoming US autumn season. Through his relentless touring efforts, Booth has cultivated a dedicated fanbase, bolstered by his impressive following of over a million on social media. 

Norwegian artist Herkedal has already made a name for himself in his homeland, where he won the TV show IDOL with a mix of original material and inspired covers of songs by RY X and Tom Odell. A big attraction of Herkedal is his ability and range of vocals, shifting from Baritone to soulful high notes.

This week we had the chance to catch up with pop artist Arum Flowers. Her new single “No Quieres” reflects her Spanish roots, showcasing R&B and latin influences.

Dublin, Dance/Electronic duo Obskür have made their way onto the scene with popular productions like 'Bayside,' which has gathered worldwide attention. Their tracks have gained around 80 million streams collectively on Spotify alone. They’ve played shows with some of the UK and Ireland's biggest clubbing brands, including The Warehouse Project, Creamfields, Reading & Leeds Festival, XOYO in London, as well as Amnesia alongside Sonny Fodera and Danny Howard. They’ve also expanded onto the worldwide circuit. Recently, we managed to catch up with them at the Beat-Herder Festival in Lancashire, UK.

Izo FitzRoy, the talented gospel, blues, and jazz singer-songwriter, distinguished herself from her peers with her first two albums, 'Skyline' (2017) and 'How The Mighty Fall' (2020). Her music featured uplifting harmonies, powerful lead vocals, and impressive live performances, which garnered widespread critical acclaim worldwide. As a result, she earned plays on various BBC radio stations, including BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and BBC London JazzFM. Additionally, she received accolades such as the FIP Selection award and was featured on NPR's 'Heavy Rotation' in the US. On top of that, her Spotify listenership reached almost half a million monthly listeners.

This week, we had the pleasure of catching up with the talented singer/songwriter, Callum Spencer, as he graced the stage at The Mess Room in Skipton for a sold-out full band gig. As an Indie-Folk artist, Callum delivered a great performance, showcasing his remarkable vocals, powerful voice, and an array of captivating, well-crafted songs that left the audience thoroughly enthralled. Notably, his recent successful tour in Poland has further cemented his presence on the music scene, with a string of impressive gigs and coveted festival slots, solidifying his position as a rising artist to watch.

Ada Morghe's recent album, titled 'Lost,' skillfully wove together a captivating blend of refined expressive vocals, an ambitious and uplifting concept, and expertly executed musicianship. In a testament to her diverse creative abilities as an actress, author, and director, Ada now unveils an exciting twist by presenting 4hero's fresh remix of the title track. 

Embark on a thrilling journey as Kris James ascends to new heights in his musical career. Recently, he had the incredible opportunity to support acclaimed artists Will Young and Anastacia during their UK and European tours. Now, the talented singer-songwriter from Liverpool is ready to captivate audiences once again with his first release of 2023 - the soul-stirring summer single 'Caught Feelings'. With this latest track, Kris invites fans to delve into the depths of his true essence, providing an intimate glimpse into his raw emotions and genuine self. Fearlessly embracing his authenticity, he unleashes a symphony of unfiltered thoughts and heartfelt sentiments. As his latest song takes flight, we sat down with Kris to learn more about his journey as an artist and discover what inspires his craft.

The enchanting Belle Roscoe, a talented sibling duo from Australia, captivate their audience with a mesmerizing blend of contemporary Americana and timeless folk-rock reminiscent of the '70s. Their latest single, "The Birds," showcases their unique style, and now they unveil the eagerly awaited music video for the song, just in time for their performance at the esteemed Black Deer Festival on June 17th. In our recent interview with Belle Roscoe, we delved deeper into their story, asking them a series of questions.

Singer-songwriter Dave Hause is currently on his European tour to showcase the upcoming release of his album, "Drive It Like It's Stolen," due at the end of April. On his latest release, the punk rock turned Americana artist delves into a more fictional type of storytelling to create what he terms "post-apocalyptic Americana."

As this year's Sunday headliner at the Country to Country festival in London, the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, Southern rock group led by frontman Zac Brown offered UK country music fans the chance to once again experience their outstanding, dynamic live performances that often defy genre boundaries.