On the 31st July, we managed to catch up with Northern Irish Country singer Catherine McGrath for a quick interview in the green room of Manchester HMV.

This commenced after she performed an impressive acoustic live session for her fans; that had turned up for the signing of the debut album “Talk Of This Town”.

In person she came across modest and endearing; a characteristic which seems to be reflected throughout her songs. This feels like a definite positive trait; considering she is growing rapidly in popularity with signing to Warner Brothers, getting daytime airplay on BBC Radio 2, and gaining attention and accreditation from the likes of Elton John amongst others.

The full interview can be watched at the bottom, a text outline of it follows:

Q: Here we are at the post signing and post performance of the debut album “Talk Of This Town” at Manchester HMV, how do you think it went?

Cath: It was really fun. I’m so glad people came down to say “Hi”. People are actually buying the album, which is very exciting! So yeah its good, its been fun!

Q: There was a lot of people turn up for it I thought, they all seemed really into it, how does that feel for you?

Cath: Yeah it’s cool, because it seems so early on to me. It’s my very first album. I have only really been performing live for people for the past year; so you never really know if anyone is going to show up or who has paid much attention. To have people come all the way down here to just get a signed album and hear a few songs, it’s really really nice.

Q: What age did you start writing and playing the guitar, and singing etc?

Cath: Well, I was always kind of singing, and I would say that since I was three. I don’t know when I first wrote my first song...maybe like eight, or ten. My dad wrote songs and my whole family sung, so it was very early on but yeah I moved to London when I was 18, so that’s when I properly started working with other songwriters and taking it really serious.

Q: Ah well that was going to be my next question, because obviously with “Lost In The Middle” getting a lot of radio play and the album now out there; I was going to ask how hard do you feel you have worked for it? Or is a lot of it good luck? A lot of people say it’s good luck and hard work mixed together, what about you?

Cath: Yes I think that as well. I just think...for me it was such a natural process, I’ve always loved singing and writing songs. I think I kind of did everything naturally and never over-thought it, or what is was going to lead to. So, in that way its been good because everything that’s happened has been a surprise to me. The fact I ever got signed, whether I actually put out this album has been amazing to me, and its been such a fun experience.

Q: Dare I say, your music reminds me a little bit of Country Pop style and sort of reminds me of (and I hope I don’t insult you by saying this) Taylor Swift in her early days, or even Miley Cyrus (a little bit) in her early days. What are your influences and inspirations?

Cath: Well I used to love Miley Cyrus. Her very first album I used to listen to that all the time. Taylor Swift as well. She was kind of my introduction to Country music because she talked about Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. That sort of led me into looking up all these American Country people. So yeah, that’s a huge compliment for me! And also not just Country people, also pop music; like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, or just whatever is on the radio, mixed together.

Q: The creator of Music Talkers went to Nashville last year, he said he absolutely loved it how did you find it?

Cath: I loved it! I've been seven times now! I have only ever really been to Nashville, and I went to Miami and all that, but other than that Nashville is where I go. I had this idea of what it would be like, and how the people would be. I got there and it was exactly how I thought. Everyone was so friendly, music everywhere, even the Uber drivers were songwriters. Yeah, it's such an amazing place. The love that people have. That city of music is incredible. I love it!

Q: Could we do a bit of quick fire?

Cath: Yeah

Cath: I overthink these so much…

Q: Favourite food?

Cath: Pasta

Q: Favourite drink?

Cath: Water

Q: Favourite album ever?

Cath: My dads album, because its my dad.

Q: Favourite sport?

Cath: I don’t play sports

Q: Favourite hobby?

Cath: Singing

Q: Music Talkers would like to give artists a voice and a platform to say what you want to say to your fans, because you seem to have a lot based on today. You’re doing all this around the country and getting a lot of radio play, what do you want to say to your fans?

Cath: First of all, thank you to listening to my music. And I think the whole message behind my album is kind of no matter what people tell you, or how much doubt people have; keep on following your dream and going for it. So I hope you can follow that message on my album and keep listening to my music. Thank you so much.

Music Talkers has been covering Catherine McGrath since early 2018, you can buy album Talk Of This Town here: https://tinyurl.com/ya2uzs9z

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.