Kelly McGrath is one of the most exciting country music artists around at the moment. The Nashville based rising star was last year praised by Mick Jagger who sent her a congratulatory tweet on her 2017 NIMA nomination for best female country solo artist and 2018 is shaping up to be even bigger and better.
Congrats to @thekellymcgrath for 2 nominations @NimaNashville 2017, all the best with the new single https://t.co/JkxRqeBLEO @CMT pic.twitter.com/lRsg4pNp5L
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) July 14, 2017
So far, she has released her brand new EP ‘Kites’ and will perform at this years Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park 2018 on July 8.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1p1SyFpjrqOJevWIGzPJZO
Here we speak exclusively to Kelly McGrath to discuss BST Hyde Park, Country music, future plans and much more:
Growing up who inspired your love of Country music?
Well I grew up in Tennessee and my first concert was Dolly Parton, so that kind of explains it haha! It’s just my roots and where I come from.
How would you describe your sound to new listeners?
The most important quality to me regarding my sound is that it’s authentic. My sound isn’t solely country, there are definitely elements of pop, Americana and singer-songwriter.
How do you feel your music fits into the current Country scene?
I feel my music fits into the crossover country scene as a cross between Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift and Patty Griffin (country pop Americana)
You’ve recently released your new EP Kites, what was the inspiration behind the record?
The inspiration behind Kites was to choose songs that best represent who I am as an artist now which is not just country. I like having the creative freedom to cross genre lines if that’s where the music I’m writing is going ya know? There is always an element of my country roots but influences of other styles of music. The songs I chose were a family of strong songs that each stood on their own individually with one common theme of the beauty and pain of relationships.
What do you hope fans take from the EP?
I want my fans to get an experience from my music not just hearing a song, I want to connect with them thru my own experiences. I hope fans will take an experience from every song on the EP and connect with the music and lyrics in an authentic way. I hope they feel something that maybe they needed to feel on any level, shallow or deep.
You’re also performing at BST Hyde Park this year, what can fans expect from your set?
Fans can expect me to perform all the songs on my newly released EP “Kites” with a special surprise cover song tucked in the set and possibly a special guest. They can expect my 1000% heart, soul and energy given and left with them on the stage in every song. It is my honour and privilege to play any show especially BST, and I’m giving all I have to these people with this performance.
Are there any other names on the bill you’re looking forward to catching live?
Absolutely! All the acts! Especially Eric Clapton of course and Gary Clark Jr. Lukas Nelson I just recently saw play in Nashville, he was fantastic, I’m looking forward to seeing them play again.
How excited are you by the growth of UK country?
I’m very excited about the growth of UK Country, I love touring over here, the fans are so lovely, I really hope it continues to grow so I can keep coming back and sharing my music with the UK fans and growing my fan base.
Can UK listeners expect to hear more from you soon?
Absolutely! I’ll probably be back in the fall for another tour.
What do you hope to achieve over the course of your career?
I hope to achieve connecting with millions of fans, continuing to make great music that means something to people in their lives and can give them a break from their reality or help them face it.. and bring a little light in the world. Music is the universal language that everyone can feel. I have the luckiest job in the world and I’m grateful for every opportunity to perform and for every single fan. It would be great to get a great tour supporting a major artist this year, and someday be headlining the big ones. For me it’s all about connecting with people through this universal language and experience of music that literally can change and save a life, I know it’s changed and saved mine time and time again.
Make sure you follow Kelly McGrath on Twitter @thekellymcgrath to keep up to date with all her latest music and tour news!
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