Fast rising Country infused band CC Smugglers will be releasing their long awaited debut LP ‘How High’ on March 29th. And ahead of the album dropping they will be hitting the prestigious C2C (Country to Country) Festival stage this weekend.
Here we chat exclusively to CC Smugglers to discuss their debut record and forthcoming C2C appearance:
With your debut LP on the horizon how excited are you to be premiering some of the tracks at C2C?
C2C has become the absolute hub of the UK country scene. To be able to showcase our new album there is an honour.
What can fans expect from your set at the festival?
We consider ourselves born and bred showmen. We like to break down barriers and take the audience on a whirlwind high energy show of original music inspired by country, blues, bluegrass, soul and swing.
Which artists are you hoping to catch while you’re at C2C?
Hunter Hayes, Chris Stapleton, Lady Antebellum to name a few but my fave part of any festival is discovering the bands I’ve never heard of.
How big of a role do you feel the festival has played in the growth of Country in the UK?
Hard question to answer, what I can say is that when people come to our shows and say “I first saw you at…” C2C is easily the festival we hear most often. We picked up a lot of fans from our last C2C performance, that’s got to be an indicator of its impact on the country.
With your album what’s the overall vibe listeners can expect?
The album is a cross section of all our musical influences with lyrics which are diary entries from years worth of heartbreak and adventures. A 43 minute glimpse of our songwriting and showmanship.
Is there one song in particular off the record that you’re most excited to share?
You want me to choose one of my babies over all the rest?? Shame on you! So many reasons for so many of the songs. If I must choose, I will choose ‘Life’s a Wave’ written after the passing of my dear old Uncle Geoff
What was the writing process like for the LP?
Some of these songs are songs that were favourites chosen by our fans that have been in the show for years, some were written brand new specifically for the album. Generally our live shows is very high energy but for the album we wanted to give songs that were more delicate, for listening to, not just dancing to… I was persuaded by the band and our producer to dig out the more intimate self reflective songs that I had written in the past couple of years whilst going through a break up and dealing with my Dads major heart attack and the loss of my Uncle. In this respect we’re hoping the whole record is dynamic and a real insight into our lives, our stageshow and our careers.
Which songs would you say were the easiest and most difficult to write off the album?
Easiest? Hmm interesting question. I tend to find the songs that come out the quickest are the ones I’m writing therapeutically and are often the ones I have no intention of showing people. Ironically a handful of those ended up on the album!
Are there any tracks on the LP that you’re most excited about performing live?
I’m particularly keen to play ‘Gone So Long’ which is a grooving soul inspired track featuring the Oxford Gospel Events Choir.
Can fans expect an headlining tour from you this year?
Indeed, we are touring up and down the UK in April – if you visit our website you can book ahead and order your copy of our album all at the same time.
TOUR DATES:
9th March London The O2 – Country To Country
11th March London The O2 – Country To Country
30th March Chesham The Elgiva,
5th April Manchester Soup Kitchen,
6th April, Glasgow Blue Arrow,
7th April, Edinburgh Mash House,
11th April, London Omeara,
12TH April, Cambridge Junction,
13th April, Kings Somborne Village Hall,
14th April, Leamington Spa Zephyr Lounge,
18th April, Brighton The Hope,
19th April, Bristol Old Market Assembly,
20th April, Nottingham Bodega,
25th April Wolverhampton Newhampton Arts Centre ,
26th April Milton Keynes MK11
27th April Leeds Brudenell Community Room
Make sure you follow CC Smugglers on Twitter @ccsmugglers to keep up to date with all their latest music and tour news!
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