What is your name?
Louise Parker
What is your genre of music?
Modern Country, sometimes a bit pop, sometimes a bit rock.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a modern country singer/songwriter with American enthusiasm and good ol’ fashioned English self-deprecating humour!
I have toured North America and the UK and I’ve also been performing around Europe!
I write from the heart about my travels, love and loss and the expectations and realities of being an independent artist in the 21st century. There is definitely a song for everyone in my ever growing repertoire.
What made you go into music?
I started attending a musical theatre after school club when I was 8/9 years old and fell in love with being on stage. I started writing songs at the age of 12 and it felt natural, just me evolving in to the person I am now.
Are you a signed?
I signed a management deal with the founder of Belles & Gals Nick Cantwell last year, but no record deal yet!
You released your single ‘I’m Moving To Nashville’, tell us more about the single.
Written by myself and Lawrence Gray (cajon) early 2018, we then recorded it a month later with Alex Schott (AMP Studios) in Austin, Texas, it reached #14 in the UK iTunes Country Music Charts!
What is the meaning behind the single?
The single was written whilst I was living in Nashville, I thought it was going to be my big break and I would come home with all these amazing stories (and a record deal)! My enthusiasm was short lived as I ended up spending most of my :me in a small apartment, all my friends and the promoters I knew faded in to the background; didn’t want to know. ‘I’m Moving To Nashville’ is my story of the country music capital, not all neon lights and Jack Daniel’s dreams.
Describe the track in two words.
Even better, I’ll do it in one – Epiphany!
What was the writing process like?
I remember writing the first two verse’s by myself and singing it to Lawrence when he came home from work. I have a way of getting inside my own head when I write, I know what I want to say but I’m not always sure the best way to say it; Lawrence unravels me. He jumped in the shower and yelled ideas through the door at me, sometimes just words or phrases like ‘grandiose puppet show’ – I actually googled the word ‘grandiose’ as I thought he had made it up! Lawrence admitted after we had finished he wasn’t sold on the song when he first heard it, but upon completion he felt we had really struck gold.
What was the recording process like?
I almost didn’t record it because I was worried people would reject me for speaking badly about Nashville, or think I was being salty because it didn’t work for me! As one of my strongest songs lyrically, I decided to record acoustically. The whole track is just me playing guitar and singing.
Who did you work with on the single?
I wrote the single with Lawrence Gray, who plays cajon for me, and Alex Schott recorded the song at AMP Studios in Austin, Texas.
Will we see a music video for the track?
When I next find myself in Nashville I would love to record a music video, maybe even include our little white apartment.
Will we see an EP or album and if so what can we expect?
Fingers crossed I will have more exciting music releases this year! Expect more storytelling, more heartbreak and a lot more sassiness.
Do you have any shows coming up?
I will be playing
Hotbox, Chelmsford – Friday 10th January Water Rats, London – Sunday 19th January Dogs Head, Bishops Stortford – Friday 7th February Dog and Whistle, Herford – Thursday 5th March Many, many more (full list can be found on my website www.louiseparkermusic.com)
If so where will you be heading?
As well as the above I will be playing in Cardiff, Manchester and London.
What else can we expect in 2019/Early 2020?
Fun. I started this journey because I enjoy myself so much! More dad jokes will be told on my Twitter page definitely.
I’m starting to find my feet during my live shows and interact with the audience, more of this please!
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
I have a few things in the pipeline, I’m just waiting for them to be confirmed, so I can’t spill the beans just yet..
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Yes! 100%! Reach out on my social media to either me or manager Nick, we’re both super friendly.
Do you play any instruments?
Acoustic guitar, although I’ve been dabbling with electric recently. I also write on piano and enjoy tickling the ivory’s from time to time, I can’t see myself playing live any time soon though; too scary!
Who are your influences?
I adore strong female singer/songwriters – Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Katy Perry. The list goes on and on.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Everything and anything can inspire me. My very first song I was inspired when crossing a road on the way home from school, I thought ‘do you stop before you go?’. Went home and wrote my first song called ‘Bye Bye Baby’ and I don’t care what anyone says it was a BANGER! I have a whole notes section on my phone filled with ideas, titles, phrases, one-liners.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
A few more grey hairs but a lot more laughter lines. I hope to have a successful music career, with lots of money I can donate to charity, I hope to make a difference in the world.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I work temporary jobs to fund this addictive, and expensive, hobby! I have worked in retail, hospitality, a car showroom, travel trade and most recently for the NHS. But for fun I enjoy modelling and keeping fit, I spend time with my two older sisters gaming and cook with my parents.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Katy Perry – Thinking of You There’s a performance on Youtube, she is wearing the most ridiculously beautiful dress and playing acoustic guitar at an awards show. I remember, after watching it the first :me of many times, I thought ‘I’m going to learn to play guitar’. As soon as I started putting my lyrics to music I realised this could actually be something I did, I didn’t need to rely on anyone else.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
My friend got me one of those quote calendars 6/7 years ago and there was one I kept it reads – ‘If there’s one thing I have learnt it’s that life goes on’. I just think it’s perfect.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Another great quote – ‘Don’t give up anything you can’t go a day without thinking about’.
The music industry can be cruel and cold, most days giving up is the easy option and seems so inviting. Every :me I find myself in a rut I repeat that quote above to myself.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Hylands House and Park is super peaceful. Just outside the city centre and you feel like you’ve fallen in to a Jane Austin novel.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Food. I can’t eat when I’m nervous and I’m ALWAYS nervous before playing.
2/ Who do you see first? Family, my mum and dad are always the first people I message when I finish a show.
3/What do you eat first? Whatever I can get my hands on! Most likely chips, just one whole portion of chips, ok maybe two!!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Guitar capo, I rarely write without it. Drink holder, I really give 110% when I play and easily get dehydrated. Lyrics, I’m not sure if it’s age or anxiety but I have been terrible with my own lyrics recently… Sparkles/Tassles/Check, any of the above! Smile, ‘you’re never fully dressed without a smile’ – definitely a musical theatre kid!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
You can find all my social media through my website –
Website
I shall list it all below –
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Twitter
Thank you 🙂
