Stereoboard Talks To Natalie McCool About New EP 'Black Sun' & Future Plans (Interview)
Monday, 30 May 2011
Written by Katie Territt
The charts seem to be awash with female singer-songwriters at the moment. You can't seem to turn the radio on, pick up a paper or look online without seeing mentions of Adele, Ellie Goulding, Laura Marling and the like. With the growing success of these artists, is there room for anymore? Well with the talent, passion and drive that Natalie McCool has, she's certainly got a damn good chance of adding herself to that list!
Natalie is no stranger to performing, having started playing guitar at the age of 8, and writing songs at the age of 14 when she also first started gigging. "When I was very young I always wrote little poems and loved reading, writing and words, so combining my love for playing guitar with writing songs felt like a natural progression for me." Like most kids her age, Natalie avidly watched live music shows like the Brits, TOTP and Jools Holland - "I would literally be glued to the screen! Playing in a band looked like such a fun thing to do and I was so fascinated with music too - so I wouldn't want to do anything else!"
Cheshire-born Natalie's love for music led her to attend the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where she had the amazing opportunity to debut songs to Paul McCartney. "In our final song writing module, we got to have a song writing session with the man himself - a one to one session! I took in a song I hadn't written a bridge for, and he sat there playing along with me.......we came up with a bridge section which I still use today."
Around two years ago, Natalie took part in, and won, Yamaha's Make It Break It, and made such an impression on judge Steve Levine that he signed her to his record label, Hubris. "I was over the moon when I was signed. I felt like I could really concentrate on the 'musical' side of my career. Too many artists nowadays have to be their own plugger, manager, distributor.....the list goes on. Not to have to worry about that is just brilliant." Natalie's time at Hubris so far has given her the chance to develop her song writing and sonic footprint as an artist. "It's strange because I feel like I'm continually growing and learning. The songs I wrote 2 years ago are totally different to what I know now - I am constantly changing!" Signing to Hubris inspired a move to London for Natalie, giving her the chance to work more closely with the label. "Being at LIPA made me see what a great city Liverpool is for music and how much of a 'music community' it has, but personally I would have felt like I hadn't really tried if I had stayed...." Natalie admits that London is a hard nut to crack, but with its scale of opportunities and massive audience, she knows it was the right decision to move.
So what of the music? Well Natalie has just released her second EP, 'Black Sun', and is keen to send out more of these 'tasters' before she thinks about her first album on Hubris. "I am really happy with what we have recorded so far. When we start to think about the album, I will probably have written a bunch of new songs." In the meantime, 'Black Sun' boasts three fantastic songs, each with its own story, albeit with a common theme throughout each. "I have always been interested in people - how they think, feel and operate, and this EP is from my own perspective on the subject of 'people'. It's about addiction and control - and each song has its own spin on those themes". Lead song 'Black Sun' is certainly the standout track of the three, showcasing Natalie's beautiful, raw, and at times almost haunting vocal. The complete package Natalie delivers in the song isn't a million miles away from the days of early Evanescence - the wanting, needing and reliance in the lyrics so heartfelt and genuine - a real rarity in a lot of music these days! 'Size Zero' and 'Your Hero' are equally as impressive, again encompassing the theme of addiction that Natalie strives to address in her own unique way.
Natalie is keen to praise the industry that she works in, particularly the female artists that are paving the way for new talent to make their mark. "Half of the artists/bands featured recently in the UK/US top 10 are female - what an amazing fact. Previously female musicians and bands always seemed like a novelty, but now I think that is really changing. Real songwriters are making amazing headway and are really establishing themselves. I feel proud to work in an industry which is now recognising that power".
It certainly seems like Natalie is on her way to becoming one of those artists doing their bit for "girl power"! So who inspires the Natalie McCool sound? As well as being proud of her fellow female artists, and some of her close friends from LIPA, Natalie is quick to mention other contemporary artists who inspire her - Radiohead, Foals and Fleet Foxes in particular. "It's quite amusing to think how much your competition in your field actually inspires you. If there was nobody else singing and writing songs, how would I grow and learn?”
With some festival dates coming up (2nd July, Nibley Festival with The Beat and 24th July, Chagstock Festival with The Magic Numbers), Natalie is looking forward to getting out on the road with her music, reaching out and meeting people, and hopefully gaining some new fans. "I think my music really suits the festival vibe. Being outdoors with a massive crowd of people listening, green fields all around, and the light fading.....it's magical!" And magical is certainly an appropriate word to describe the 'Black Sun' EP which will no doubt win over the crowds at Natalie's festival appearances this summer.
So with her genuine, positive and inspiring outlook, not to mention the backing and respect that she already has from the people around her, it's quite clear that Natalie has a rosy future to look forward to. What about a dream list of achievements or dream venues to play "I'd love to play all the major UK festivals, and Coachella in California. That would be amazing! I'd also love to arrange my songs for an orchestra and have all the sections play a gig with my band - maybe at the Royal Albert Hall - that too would be spectacular.”
Well those dreams aren't out of reach for someone with Natalie's talent and ambition, and the sky is certainly the limit for this rising star who I definitely expect to see gracing huge festival stages and performing at legendary venues in super quick time. So treat your ears to Natalie's 'Black Sun' EP and enjoy learning what all the deserved fuss is about!
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