We Love Lucy.
by Q Review Staff
After a string of shows at SXSW 2019 and with new single "Miracle' in tow, England's Lucy Whittaker is beginning to surge harder and harder through the music stratosphere. Not only is 'Miracle' an epic bop that will instantly find itself set "on repeat' (admitted, you're already hit repeat multiple times) but it's a defined electro sound that propels the Whittaker from fledgling artist into the position of force to be reckoned with. This is pure power pop and pop that is smart and properly structured, delivered and carries a swinging weight that says " out of the way, I mean business".
There's a lot of good pop sensibility to learn from 'Miracle' and from Lucy as an artist. She is extremely likable, open and aware, sonically expressive, vocally on point and brings with her buckets of talent. With more music planned this year and shows lined up through the summer now is the pitch perfect time get to know and fall in love with Lucy the way "We Love Lucy"!
We've been fortunate enough to get a few moments of this busy artists time to learn more about the rising star!
You're a young independent artist, so for those readers out there who aren't familiar with you, what 3 words would best describe you.
Fearless, energetic, ambitious
How would you describe your music? What style or influence would you say it leans most towards?
I make electronic pop. It’s hooky and very rhythmic - my writing is influenced by listening to a lot of Pop, Hip Hop, and Dancehall.
What is your process for writing? Do you have any practices that help get you in the mind space to write?
There are a few producers who I feel most comfortable writing with, so the process basically involves us getting in the studio, having a really big catch up, and then using what we’ve just talked about as inspiration for starting a track. I find that having a discussion about how life is going is really helpful for getting in a more reflective headspace, which makes the writing process a lot faster once we get going.
You're known as a self-propelled artist and are part of the growing number of DIY artists. Growing up was music always part of your life? When did you know you wanted to be a singer/songwriter?
Music has consumed me for as long as I can remember. I grew up listening to a really eclectic mixture of music, started writing songs at 12, and it seemed like the natural progression for me to write and release my own stuff. I made a decision to study music when I was 16, which was integral in getting me to where I am today.
After a string of shows at SXSW 2019 and with new single "Miracle' in tow, England's Lucy Whittaker is beginning to surge harder and harder through the music stratosphere. Not only is 'Miracle' an epic bop that will instantly find itself set "on repeat' (admitted, you're already hit repeat multiple times) but it's a defined electro sound that propels the Whittaker from fledgling artist into the position of force to be reckoned with. This is pure power pop and pop that is smart and properly structured, delivered and carries a swinging weight that says " out of the way, I mean business".
There's a lot of good pop sensibility to learn from 'Miracle' and from Lucy as an artist. She is extremely likable, open and aware, sonically expressive, vocally on point and brings with her buckets of talent. With more music planned this year and shows lined up through the summer now is the pitch perfect time get to know and fall in love with Lucy the way "We Love Lucy"!
We've been fortunate enough to get a few moments of this busy artists time to learn more about the rising star!
You're a young independent artist, so for those readers out there who aren't familiar with you, what 3 words would best describe you.
Fearless, energetic, ambitious
How would you describe your music? What style or influence would you say it leans most towards?
I make electronic pop. It’s hooky and very rhythmic - my writing is influenced by listening to a lot of Pop, Hip Hop, and Dancehall.
What is your process for writing? Do you have any practices that help get you in the mind space to write?
There are a few producers who I feel most comfortable writing with, so the process basically involves us getting in the studio, having a really big catch up, and then using what we’ve just talked about as inspiration for starting a track. I find that having a discussion about how life is going is really helpful for getting in a more reflective headspace, which makes the writing process a lot faster once we get going.
You're known as a self-propelled artist and are part of the growing number of DIY artists. Growing up was music always part of your life? When did you know you wanted to be a singer/songwriter?
Music has consumed me for as long as I can remember. I grew up listening to a really eclectic mixture of music, started writing songs at 12, and it seemed like the natural progression for me to write and release my own stuff. I made a decision to study music when I was 16, which was integral in getting me to where I am today.
You're about to release your latest single 'Miracle'. What is the song about and what was the inspiration for it?
Miracle encapsulates the moment when you’re in a really bad place and have taken things way too far. I wanted to focus on this religious idea of submission and giving yourself to a higher power. In essence, it’s about a moment when I couldn’t help myself and thought ‘I’m going to need a miracle to sort this out’.
How does it differ or compare to your previous singles?
Miracle is slightly darker and more gritty than the other tracks I’ve released, but still maintains the poppy vibe that I love.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned while making music?
Having good, loving, and supportive people around you is everything.
Video has played heavily into your previous releases. Do you enjoy the video process and how do you go about conceptualizing videos?
My mind is really weird and I’m always thinking of strange ideas and concepts, so I just apply that to my music when coming up with material. Shooting videos is always such a fun part of the musical process. Being able to focus on the visual side of things is great because it gives you a break from constantly using your ears, and allows you to be creative in a different way.
Miracle encapsulates the moment when you’re in a really bad place and have taken things way too far. I wanted to focus on this religious idea of submission and giving yourself to a higher power. In essence, it’s about a moment when I couldn’t help myself and thought ‘I’m going to need a miracle to sort this out’.
How does it differ or compare to your previous singles?
Miracle is slightly darker and more gritty than the other tracks I’ve released, but still maintains the poppy vibe that I love.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned while making music?
Having good, loving, and supportive people around you is everything.
Video has played heavily into your previous releases. Do you enjoy the video process and how do you go about conceptualizing videos?
My mind is really weird and I’m always thinking of strange ideas and concepts, so I just apply that to my music when coming up with material. Shooting videos is always such a fun part of the musical process. Being able to focus on the visual side of things is great because it gives you a break from constantly using your ears, and allows you to be creative in a different way.
As an independent artist how do you keep the momentum going?
Writing and performing great music gives me this funny tingling feeling inside, so when things get tough I always try to remember that feeling. Discipline is also really important - when you don’t have a team of people to make stuff happen for you, you need to be able to get on with the boring bits so you can make the fun stuff happen further down the line! Most importantly I have amazing people around me who love and support me. They have my back with everything I do and they are the people who keep me going.
Where do you draw the most support from?
My family and friends.
Pride season is here. How will you be spending it?
I’m so excited to be playing some amazing prides this summer! As well as major UK prides I’m also heading out to Oslo and Prague to play my first European prides which will be sick!
With live performance being such an important thing for independent artists what has been your most memorable live experience so far?
Supporting Craig David at a sold out event in front of 15,000 people.
It was mad.
As a female and LGBTQ artist, what have you found to be the most challenging part of music for you?
I think the most challenging thing that I deal with as an artist applies to every other musician - being able to keep myself happy and healthy whilst trying to navigate this weird industry. I don’t really see being female or LGBTQ as a disadvantage - if anything it has provided me with even more support from our community and I feel really proud to be able to represent our people.
Writing and performing great music gives me this funny tingling feeling inside, so when things get tough I always try to remember that feeling. Discipline is also really important - when you don’t have a team of people to make stuff happen for you, you need to be able to get on with the boring bits so you can make the fun stuff happen further down the line! Most importantly I have amazing people around me who love and support me. They have my back with everything I do and they are the people who keep me going.
Where do you draw the most support from?
My family and friends.
Pride season is here. How will you be spending it?
I’m so excited to be playing some amazing prides this summer! As well as major UK prides I’m also heading out to Oslo and Prague to play my first European prides which will be sick!
With live performance being such an important thing for independent artists what has been your most memorable live experience so far?
Supporting Craig David at a sold out event in front of 15,000 people.
It was mad.
As a female and LGBTQ artist, what have you found to be the most challenging part of music for you?
I think the most challenging thing that I deal with as an artist applies to every other musician - being able to keep myself happy and healthy whilst trying to navigate this weird industry. I don’t really see being female or LGBTQ as a disadvantage - if anything it has provided me with even more support from our community and I feel really proud to be able to represent our people.
Who in music have been your biggest influences? Who are you listening to?
Michael Jackson is my number one artist. I’m a very rhythmic writer and musician and I think that has a lot to do with listening to his tracks growing up. I have a really eclectic taste in music and listen to everything from Dancehall to Gospel. Right now I’m really loving Col3trane.
The UK is filled with such a rich and diverse talent base. Have you had much opportunity to collaborate with other artists?
Since moving to London at the end of last year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some sick artists. I’ve been in some really cool writing sessions with people who sound completely different to me - it’s really developed me as a writer.
If you could write a song with any other artist who would it be?
Drake or Lady Gaga.
Having been making music a few years now, what advice would you give to young aspiring artists out there?
Make music that you love, take advice from people who will be honest with you, and don’t compromise your mental health.
What's next does the rest of the year look like for you? Will there be more releases? Are you looking at eventually a full album?
This year is a biiiiiig one!! I’ve got so much new music out this year, and i’m currently planning my live dates for the end of the year so I can play the new tracks to people around the country. I love my new music so much and I can’t wait for people to hear it!
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go?
Tokyo.
What's one last thing you want readers to know about you?
When I was 15 I stole a life sized cardboard cutout of Justin Bieber from a shopping centre.
______________________________
Lucy Whittaker's new single 'Miracle' is OUT NOW everywhere on all platforms.
Follow on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify
Michael Jackson is my number one artist. I’m a very rhythmic writer and musician and I think that has a lot to do with listening to his tracks growing up. I have a really eclectic taste in music and listen to everything from Dancehall to Gospel. Right now I’m really loving Col3trane.
The UK is filled with such a rich and diverse talent base. Have you had much opportunity to collaborate with other artists?
Since moving to London at the end of last year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some sick artists. I’ve been in some really cool writing sessions with people who sound completely different to me - it’s really developed me as a writer.
If you could write a song with any other artist who would it be?
Drake or Lady Gaga.
Having been making music a few years now, what advice would you give to young aspiring artists out there?
Make music that you love, take advice from people who will be honest with you, and don’t compromise your mental health.
What's next does the rest of the year look like for you? Will there be more releases? Are you looking at eventually a full album?
This year is a biiiiiig one!! I’ve got so much new music out this year, and i’m currently planning my live dates for the end of the year so I can play the new tracks to people around the country. I love my new music so much and I can’t wait for people to hear it!
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go?
Tokyo.
What's one last thing you want readers to know about you?
When I was 15 I stole a life sized cardboard cutout of Justin Bieber from a shopping centre.
______________________________
Lucy Whittaker's new single 'Miracle' is OUT NOW everywhere on all platforms.
Follow on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify