Interview with Missy Lancaster

Australian country music starlet, Missy Lancaster is set to release her latest single, Forget on August 25^th 2017. Last year, I had the opportunity to interview her about her then-recent signing with Sony Music. Catch up on some of the best bits with this little flashback.

After doing the hard yards as an independent artist, Australian country music singer Missy Lancaster has recently been signed to Sony Music. On the eve of re-releasing her second EP, Missy, she spoke about the recording process, her love of country music and being Keith Urban’s biggest fan.

 

 

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your second EP, Missy. It was originally released earlier this year independently but now that you’re signed to Sony, it will be re-released tomorrow (8^th July 2016). Are you nervous about that?

 Yeah. I suppose it’s just being put up on a much bigger platform, but it’s great, you know, that something I did independent[ly] is good enough to be released through Sony.

 

How does it compare to your previous release, ‘Til I Figure It Out’?

I think this EP just really suits my personality. It just sums me up really well. It really shows where I’m at in my life. I suppose [with] my first EP, I didn’t really know where I was at, what kind of music I wanted to make whereas this EP, I knew the style of music I wanted to make. I had a really clear direction of what I really wanted my songs to be about.

 

What was the recording process like?

That was pretty crazy actually because I recorded that in Nashville so I was kind of going in blind-folded, not knowing what to expect. But basically, every day, we went in and we recorded a new song. It was such a great experience. My producer was Lindsay Rimes; he really pushed me and I’m so glad he did because I’m so happy with the final product.

 

I read that you worked with Morgan Evans on one of the tracks.

I sure did! Last year, in October, when I was in Nashville, Morgan was actually one of [the] first co-writes that I had. We ended up writing Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight, which is the third track on the EP.

 

What do you want people to take away from the EP as a whole?

The EP really showcases my personality so I suppose I want people to have a good time. When they listen to the EP, I hope it makes them feel happy.

 

What is it about performing live that you love so much?

I think it’s just connecting with people. I really just want people to enjoy my show and I want people to come and have a good time. I want to make people feel happy. I suppose that would probably be it: connecting with people.

 

Do you have a favourite track?

Um, I’d probably have to say the fifth track, Back Row. It’s always been a favourite of mine.

 

What inspires you to write new music?

I just write music about my life, really. I find it hard to write things that aren’t about my life. I feel like there’s a lot of music out there that isn’t really about real life, so I try and draw on my own experiences and try and get songs out of it.

 

Can we look forward to an album from you soon?

Yep, sure can! I’m not sure on the release date yet – but definitely next year there will be an album out.

 

What is it about country music that appeals to you as a genre?

I think the thing about country music is that it really brings people together. What I really noticed in Nashville – going over and watching CMA Fest and being part of the crowd – is I’m down there singing to Keith Urban down the front and there are hundreds and hundreds of people around you, and everyone’s just singing together.

I also notice on the CMC Rocks … fan page, where all the fans talk, a lot of people from different states are writing in saying, “Hey, I really want to go to CMC but I’ve got no one to go with. Is there any chance that maybe some people are going on their own and maybe we could catch up, hang out and stuff?”

I really find that all the country music fans are really inviting. It’s kind of like one big family.

 

Who are your musical idols?

I’ve got a few from a few different genres but definitely Shania Twain.  She was probably the first country music artist I was introduced to and she’s definitely influenced my style a lot. Definitely Keith Urban, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Williamson [and] Taylor Swift as well.

I suppose when I really started to get into singing, it was Kasey Chambers and The McClymonts that pushed me along.

 

 

Did you always want to be a musician?

Yeah, I did. I suppose I never thought that I would be good enough, you know, to do it properly but have always wanted to be up on the stage.

 

What are some of the highlights of your career so far?

Definitely playing the closing concert in Tamworth this year. It’s a hard one. Debuting on the ARIA charts when my EP [first] came out. Travelling over to Nashville has definitely been a career highlight, and probably meeting Florida Georgia Line. That’s definitely up there: we got invited to a show in Mississippi last year and … we got to go backstage and meet the boys. That was pretty exciting!

 

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I’m listening to a lot of Dan + Shay – they’re not that known in Australia but they’re very big over in America – a lot of Jana Kramer and definitely Keith Urban’s new album.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

I think it’s just really believing in yourself. If you believe in yourself and if you believe that things can happen … they will. I think it’s about pushing yourself as well. Things aren’t gonna happen overnight; it’s about having where you want to be in the back of your mind every single day, visualising yourself being there.

It’s all about having faith and believing that you can do it, surrounding yourself with people that believe in you.

 

What’s the meaning of success for you?

I think really the meaning of success is having people sing your songs, having people say, “I wish I could do what they were doing.” I think that will definitely be one thing for me … that is really life-changing.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in relation to starting a career as a musician?

The best piece of advice would be from Adam Harvey. He told me a few months ago when I was out on the road with him to always stay true to yourself.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Ooh, that’s a hard one! Hopefully touring the world, taking my music overseas.

Definitely … that would be amazing. Hopefully in five years’ time, that’ll happen!

 

If you could work with anyone in the industry, who would it be?

Keith Urban, I’d have to say. I’m Keith Urban’s biggest fan, and I have been for a long time … He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to so much throughout my career.

 

[Editor/Author Note: Don’t forget to read my review of Missy’s EP here! This interview is part of a piece originally published by AMNplify.]