23 October 2023
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Burton upon Trent artist Stacey Lynn to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from Burton upon Trent and got into music at a very young age of 9 when I joined the local drama group. I also played the flute. I was introduced to musical theatre and country music very young with my mum being a big Doris Day fan. I continued to study music and theatre at college and university, and wrote my 1st song on my diploma for a college play.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
I’ve always been influenced by musical theatre which is apparent in my writing and storytelling. My mum has an incredible vinyl collection of northern soul and Motown so when not watching Calamity Jane or Grease with my mum there was always good music playing in the house. My dad has a love for Garth Brooks and Simon and Garfunkel so the country folk blues sound was inbedded in me from a young age. From a teenager I grew to love Jennifer Lopez and continue to have a love for Latin American music which inspired my debut single ‘On My Own’ and I grew to like classic rock bands thanks to my step dad including Queen and Bon Jovi. ‘Somebody To Love’ is still my signature song to cover combining my love for the band and musical ‘We Will Rock You’.
My favourite band and influence of all time who still inspire me to this day are Fleetwood Mac. My recent writing has taken great influence from Haim, Bonnie Raitt and Shania Twain.
How would you describe your sound?
I’m a mix of many sounds. Although musical theatre trained, vocally I have a contemporary pop sound with a country twang and edge. My music is empowering and honest with elements of all my above influences. My debut album is a pick of mix of sounds from piano ballads to folk to Latin.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest release is called ‘You Took Mine’.
The influence behind it was a love triangle I found myself in over 10 years ago which only surfaced during lockdown when I became the onlooker looking in on the same situation and after forgiveness and moving on I finally felt I could put pen to paper and write my story. I went to the studio with Bon Jovi, Bed of Roses as my inspiration.
What’s your local music scene like?
Although Burton is small, it has a great supportive music scene with regular open mics and more recently a great platform called Burton Music Collective which offers gigging opportunities for local artists in various showcases and venues.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Outside of my original music career I work as a stage performer and I’m currently touring with theatre show ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ with dates through to 2025. Aside of this, I plan to continue to write, produce and release music with the hope to appear at some festivals and be support for touring artists. With me taking a 4 year break from the music industry I’m just getting back on the scene and will be performing in HMVs live and local campaign at the Derby and Burton.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Stevie Nicks! I’d love to share the stage with her.
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
I’ve been working the theatre scene for 15 years and have many onstage mishap’s but one of my most embarrassing yet funniest moments was when I was an entertainment manager out in Cape Verde. Our makeshift stage curtain fell down half way through a musical’s show. Rushing around the only thing I had to repair it with was a staple gun but straight after I had to quick change into a cat costume and walk like a feline onstage to Macavity from the musical Cats. Little did I know when I walked onstage that a staple on the curtain had somehow attached itself to the quiff of my hair. As I continued to strut on, along came the curtain with me pulling me to a halt and not detaching. It took the other performer a few minutes of trying to detach the curtain whilst the music continued to play but it was stuck. So I went back offstage complete with curtain stuck to my head. After a lot of laughter and applause we finally got me free and we began the number again, however my co star couldn’t sing for laughing. I thought it was because of the whole curtain incident but it wasn’t until after the number and I left the stage and looked in the mirror I realised my hair had been pulled in all directions and I was now resembling a peacock.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
Although I’m a singer songwriter I am also a credited stage and screen performer and always looking for different creatives to work with whether that be on music, acting in music videos, collaborating on projects or even just giving people advice and direction.
You can find out more about Stacey Lynn on her website or via Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok, X (Twitter) or YouTube.
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