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Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with unsigned UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with unsigned Goudhurst singer Kerrie Fuller to find out more…

Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from a little village called Goudhurst in Kent (South East England). I’ve always sang right from when I was small, but it wasn’t until one of my primary school teachers, Mrs Richardson, said to my mum after I sang a solo in a school play that I should have singing lessons as I had a real talent. I finally started classical vocal lessons when I was 13 and continued them all the way up until I left school, using my voice as my instrument for my Music A-Level. At the same time as starting the singing lessons I began writing my own songs and have never stopped.

Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Ah my most dreaded question ever! I really struggle to answer this question as I never think I want to write a song like ‘x’ or I want to sing or sound like ‘y’. I just end up sounding like me whatever I do! When I was growing up I listened to a lot of Magic FM with my mum and so I would assume a lot of my influences would come from there; artists like Alison Moyet and Fat Larry’s Band (love a bit of ‘Zoom’), The Carpenters and Abba! But then I also are up on the 90’s listening to Blue, Take That and N*Sync which I’m not sure I can actually call influences! I have been told I sound a little like Alison Moyet though so that’s probably the best one to go with!

How would you describe your sound?
Another difficult question! I’ve never had a confident answer to this but I’ve finally decided that actually, it’s Americana. UK Americana to be precise. It draws from quite a few genres. Some songs are quite folky, others more pop with maybe a bit of country thrown in, some very much acoustic singer-songwriter, and then you get a few that are actually quite rocky. Americana is the closest way to describing it I think, but then I don’t sound American at all hence the addition of ‘UK’.

What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest release is a 5 track EP called ‘Cliché’ which came out on 6th September. In keeping with the title they are all love songs, and all written from personal experiences. Everyone can relate to love, we’ve all been in and out of it, got it right (hopefully once!) and most likely got it wrong at some point too. These songs express various different times throughout my life in the most natural way for me to do so.

What’s your local music scene like?
I live in a very rural place and my local music scene is very much that, local! Most of the pubs have live music reasonably regularly, although it is mostly cover bands rather than original artists, but they are great fun. Everyone generally knows everyone as well which means they tend to be very supportive! I do have some fab local festivals around and we are extremely lucky to be around 30/40 minutes away from The Black Deer Americana Festival in Eridge which I am desperate to play one day.

What do you have planned for the next 12 months? Any albums or festivals?
Up until now I’ve been very much focussed on writing and recording new music. I’m now currently rehearsing with my band as we are aiming to start gigging at the beginning of 2020 and aiming to get as many gigs as possible to get my name out there a bit more. I’m always writing new music as well so there is very much the potential for new music to be released in the next 12 months too, but the main focus is to get going with the live gigs.

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Absolutely! If we’re going big superstar level, I’d love to collaborate with Dolly Parton and Keith Urban (dreaming I know!). In the UK I’m really impressed by Kezia Gill. Her performance and songwriting skills are amazing and to have the opportunity to write or sing with her would be amazing.

Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
There’s not been too many live performances I’m afraid so unfortunately not! Although I’ve been singing and writing for over 20 years, I’ve never really been in the position to pursue my dreams and get out on stage (plus it scared me witless when I was younger!). I’m sure there will be plenty of them to come though so I’ll keep you updated!

What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
The one thing I want readers to know about me? I’m just a normal, country girl who has finally got an opportunity to do what she loves in between being a mum, wife, friend and everything else that goes with life. I’ve had to wait to have this opportunity but it’s definitely been worth it.

You can find out more about Kerrie on her website or via Facebook, Instagram, Spotify or Twitter.