Interview: ALANA SPRINGSTEEN (Part 1)

If you read any of my posts from 2020 - 2021, you would've seen the name 'Alana Springsteen' pop up time and time again. Now, two years later, the up-and-coming country star embarks on her first ever European tour, and I was lucky enough to sit down and chat with her about it. Read on to see why she decided to make touring in Europe such a priority, how we got so lucky with her debut album 'Twenty Something', and our mutual love of queen Taylor Swift - enjoy! 

Ciara’s Country (CC): I am joined today by one of my absolute favourite country artists of the past few years. Her music well and truly got me through the pandemic and she’s just released her debut album Twenty Something. Joining me as she kicks off the European leg of her tour, it’s Alana Springsteen! Alana, it’s such a pleasure to meet you.

Alana Springsteen (AS): Ciara, it’s so good to meet you! What kind words, oh my gosh! Hearing that you found my music during the pandemic gives me so much life - I think that's where I found a lot of my fans because I was writing so much during that time. For anyone out there who's heard my music, The History of Breaking Up phase was all throughout that, so y'all are what got me through those breakups too.

CC: And what an era it was! This is your second time coming back to this side of the pond in the space of a year - how does that feel?

AS: Man, it's a dream come true. I don't know that I expected to get back so early, but it was obviously my goal! My first trip was C2C Country 2 Country, and that was actually my first time ever out of the country. I got to go to London, Glasgow, Dublin, a couple of amazing cities. I was just overwhelmed by the love I felt from the fans over here. 

Everybody had already told me that shows over here feel so different to shows in the States - the way fans here listen to music is so intentional, they just sit and take it all in, soak it up. As a songwriter and an artist who puts a lot of thought into lyrics and the music, it means the world to have it received that way. I was just living my best life out here, so when I went home, I was immediately like ‘when is the soonest we can come back and play?’ And it’s amazing that we're playing some headlining dates this time around. This is my first time headlining in Europe. That's crazy!

CC: Of course you do have those upbeat songs that would fit in in a party kind of atmosphere, but I think your music really lends itself to that kind of audience you were mentioning because you have songs where every lyric really deserves to be listened to.

AS: Thank you for saying that. I started as a songwriter so I wrote my first song when I was like nine years old. Music was really my therapy my whole life - that's how I processed emotions that I didn't know how to deal with. I could say things in my songs that I couldn't say to my best friends and my family even. I found myself in the music and that still continues to this day. The songs on Twenty Something are so personal - I feel like I've gotten to know myself more than I ever have these past two years. 

Going through all of those breakups, that whole phase in my life, I think I realised that I was looking for validation and love in other places and I wasn't giving it to myself. How can you love someone you really don't know? I kind of went on this journey to really get to know myself for the first time and that's what this album has encompassed. It's all of that. There's a lot to unpack here with these songs! But tonight's going to be a fun vibe. It's just me solo acoustic, I've got a piano, I get to have some keys moments - it's very much going to be kind of a quieter listening vibe, which I'm here for.

CC: Twenty Something was certainly a long time coming, and the songs on there really encompass both the good and the bad times. You spoke there about breakups, not knowing yourself well - do you ever find it difficult to perform certain songs and relive the memories that you had when you were writing them?

AS: You know, more than difficult, it's quite the opposite. Actually it's healing for me, because these are emotions and experiences that I have so often felt alone in. Being able to play them on stage and look out and see people that I've never met in my life singing back, screaming the lyrics, connecting to it - I feel like I have this community, I have this family surrounding me that feels the exact same way I do that's going through the exact same things, and that’s the beauty of music.

CC: I feel like we were absolutely blessed with Twenty Something because you gave us a whopping 18 songs, which is really unusual for any album. I know that this was kind of accumulation of various EPs and previous music that you put out, but why did you decide to bring together so many songs for this album?

AS: I’ve just been writing so much! So I think it came from the fact that I'm writing pretty much every single day, whether it's an idea or a melody or getting in the room with co-writers, I'm always creating. I knew I wanted to release a lot of music but I think from the beginning, I knew it was going to eventually evolve into an album. The vision was always releasing a full body of music. That's something I've dreamed about since I was a little kid. 

Honestly, it just feels different than releasing small EPS - those are like tiny windows, this is a whole world that I've created on Twenty Something. We went from messing it up to figuring it out and getting it right. These are all the phases that I've experienced so far in my 20s, it's the highest highs, the lowest lows, everything in between. I really wanted to break it up to give people a chance to really digest the songs and to take them on this journey with me.

CC: You said that you're constantly writing songs - does that mean that there's a lot of these other songs that we don't get to hear?

AS: 100%! You know, it's kind of like TS with all her Vault tracks that she's going back to now. I think there are always songs that fall through the cracks, but that's honestly a real benefit of social media. It gives me a chance to tease some music and see what connects and what doesn’t. But I will tell you this - there may or may not be some songs coming out later this year that didn't make the album so stay tuned.

CC: Any chance of hearing them tonight?

AS: Probably not (laughs). There’s still a lot of music to cover tonight. I'm trying to do some stuff from the earlier EPs, Twenty Something, a couple of covers that I just love. I want to show people a little bit about my story and how I got here. Man, just going through DMs and hearing what all of the fans here want to hear me play was mind-blowing! They’ve been asking for some OG songs from when I was like 19, 20 years old. It makes me so happy that people here have been really like growing up with me and going through that journey with me. It's awesome.

CC: I’m just saying, I’m available if you want to do a 10 hour set tonight.

AS: Say less (laughs)

CC: I love how on that last question you referred to Taylor Swift just as ‘TS’ (not the first time I've drawn comparisons between Taylor and Alana!) – are you on acronym basis with Ms. Swift?

AS: Haha not quite! But I’ve been such a Swiftie since day one. That's such a big part of my story too. I think a big part of the reason that I started writing so young is because I had that example to look up to - Taylor was published when she was 14, the same age that I got my first publishing deal. She was that person I looked up to thinking ‘I can do this too’. 

She was actually my first concert when I was nine years old! I'll never forget the Speak Now tour, watching her float across the arena in this carriage, it was absolutely magical. I actually released a song about all of that too called Taylor Did. It's about how she inspired me and a whole generation with her music. I think that's the power of songwriting, the power that music has to connect so many people and make us feel less alone.

CC: What’s your favorite Taylor Swift song?

AS: It is so hard to pick! If we're talking OG stuff, Our Song was one of the first that I learned to play on guitar so that one holds a special place in my heart. Fearless I absolutely love. I remember having my little iPod shuffle, and just being in my own world imagining myself on my first date. I hadn't fallen in love yet but I could picture myself there! The Red record really changed my life too - I remember going to Target, getting the CD and listening to it from the top down. State of Grace, that opening song hits so hard every single time.

CC:  I feel like I'm in such good company right now! Let's hope for Alana Springsteen for Eras Tour opener 2025?

AS: You got it! 

Of course that's not all we had to say! Check back soon for Part 2 of our interview where we chat getting Mitchell Tenpenny & Chris Stapleton on her album, being young in Nashville, and something no one knows about her. Drop me a follow on Twitter/X @ciarascountry to be the first to know when it's posted - thanks for reading! 

Interview: MEGAN MCKENNA (Part 2)

 From reality TV to The X Factor to country music, Megan McKenna has had a wild ride, and it's only just started. We had a fantastic interview - check out Part 1 here first and read on for her thoughts on upcoming music, TikTok, preconceived notions and more - enjoy!

 

Ciara's Country (CC): We're chatting at the 10th anniversary of C2C Country 2 Country. How are you feeling about being here?

 

Megan McKenna (MM): I am so happy to be here. This is my first time at C2C, and I've wanted to do C2C forever. I feel very honoured that I'm here for the 10th anniversary. It's amazing.

 

CC: How did you get the call that you were going to be performing this year?

 

MM: My manager called me and she told me, ‘Can you believe you're doing C2C?’ She was like, ‘I knew we'd be here’. It took us a long time, years of gigging and releasing and everything to get to this point to be here.

 

CC: Indeed, you've done so much in the past year, releasing a new song every week for six months! How do you even manage that?

 

MM: I don't know! It was literally just words were coming out of my mouth when I was writing songs. I didn't go out for six months! I was in the studio at home, that’s all. But that's what makes me happy, so I like it and I’ll do it all again. Six months is a lot of work (laughs). But now I'm focusing on my album.

 

CC: Due to be released this year, right? Tell us what we can expect.

 

MM: Well, I don't even know what it's going to be called yet! I want it to be so special. Releasing the songs over those six months and seeing what people like, I’ve been able to suss out which ones might work for the album, you know, faster ones, slower ones.

 

CC: Did you use TikTok to get fans' opinions on the songs they wanted to see?

 

MM: Yeah! It's been an eye-opener. A few songs that I thought would do well did really well; but then some of the ones I thought would be really well didn't. It's good seeing that though because I want to give everyone what they want.

 

CC: Which reaction to a song surprised you the most?

 

MM: Baby Talk. It's one of my favourite songs and people really hooked onto it. That was surprising because I really did go down the country roots for that and it turned out exactly how I wanted it.

 

CC: Yes, more country roots please!

 

MM: You’ll definitely be seeing more of that on the album – hoedowns and all that. I want to do a line dancing music video too, so hold tight.

 

CC: I can’t wait! It’s been a pleasure to see your growth as an up-and-coming artist in country music over the past few years, and I’d love to find out what new artists you’re listening to. Are there any underrated artists out there you think everyone needs to be listening to?

 

MM: I listen to the same stuff all the time! Kacey Musgraves, Lady A, Zac Brown Band. I love Shania Twain too.

 

CC: We’ll pretend we had this interview decades ago when no one knew who those artists are.

 

MM: That would be great (laughs) There’s someone on TikTok that’s really cool actually - Will Cullen. He goes up to people and randomly just starts playing a country song and sings to them, like they could be sunbathing on the beach and he’d start singing to them. It’s so cool.

 

CC: I want that to happen to me!

 

MM: Me too!

 

CC: Okay Megan, my final question for you is what is one question that you've never been asked in an interview, but would love to be?

 

MM: I suppose people don't really ask me how it feels when people have a preconception of me before listening to my music. You know, like ‘I didn’t know she could sing country’ or something like that.

 

CC: How does it feel?

 

MM: We did speak about it a bit earlier, you know that people think it's easy for me because they’ve seen me on the telly already, but what people don't realise is that I work triple hard. When people see me as doing that, I think that’s when they see me as an actual true artist and singer. I’m here because of my hard work, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

 

CC: What goes through your mind when you see the audience finally clicking that ‘wow, she’s so much more than a reality TV star’?

 

MM: That's like the best feeling in the world. And I always notice that the claps get louder towards the end of my set! It feels so good, because I know people are like, ‘oh, she can sing?’ It's a great feeling to see them enjoy the music and enjoy seeing me on stage.

 

CC: Well I’ve definitely enjoyed chatting with you today. Thank you so much Megan! 

 

Thanks so much for reading! Check out the rest of my C2C related content on my blog, and stay tuned on @CiarasCountry for even more music content coming soon! 

Interview: MEGAN MCKENNA (Part 1)

 

 

I love seeing a hometown artist make it big, and someone who's making waves in the UK country scene and beyond it Essex lass Megan McKenna! We caught up on her unusual route into country music, the similarities between country and reality TV, what she'd play at The Bluebird Cafe and more - enjoy!

 

Ciara’s Country (CC): The country music community is a small world, made even smaller when you meet an artist who grew up in the same county as you! I’m joined today by the lovely Megan McKenna. Megan, thank you so much for joining me.

 

Megan McKenna (MM): Thank you for having me.

 

CC: You've had quite an unusual route into country music - getting your start on TV, a stint on The X Factor. Can you give us an overview of how you ended up here?

 

MM: I've always loved country music. I went into TV but it wasn't really what I wanted to do, I just felt like I had opportunities and I took them. My aim was always to be an actress and singer, so every show I did, I was making sure that I was singing on it. Then I decided to step away from the TV world and put everything into my writing.

 

CC: What was the first moment you knew, ‘I love country music’?

 

MM: I was 10. I was always singing and one day I went to an audition for a musical and there was an American panel there. I sang an Eva Cassidy song and they said to me, ‘You sound too country.’ I was really young, and I was like, ‘country?’ 'cause it wasn't very big in the UK at that point. I went and told my mom and she said, ‘oh my god, I love country music! You know what, your voice is country.’

 

I saw how country suited me and started singing country songs, knowing ‘this is where I feel at home with my voice’. Ever since that, I've been singing country music and I love it. I love the storytelling behind it. I feel like with what I've been through, my TV world and everything. there are so many things that people don't know so this is my chance to be able to just tell everybody through my songs.

 

CC: Who were the artists that you grew up on?

 

MM: So many. I love Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and the story of how she came from American Idol. I think it's amazing. Nowadays, I love Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown. I love everyone! I think everyone's amazing.

 

CC: I think we must have the same taste in music! You mentioned earlier that one of the things that really pulls people into country is the storytelling. Where do you find the stories for your own songs?

 

MM: My own life, literally. I don't even know sometimes. I feel like I've been through so many ups and downs. Breakups? The whole of the UK has definitely seen me crying on TV over breakups. When I go into a writing session, I'm not trying to force something, I just need to go in and write about what I'm feeling in that moment, even if it's something I really don't want to touch on. To get the best song, you have to be really open at the sessions. It’s really emotional. It's like therapy, but you get the best songs from that. I love performing the emotional ones.

 

I almost think it makes sense to go from reality TV into country music, but this is probably even more real. It's been a crazy ride but it's made me who I am today. I think people can be quite intrigued, thinking ‘she's doing country music?’ I just want to sing, and for people to come and see me live, actually see me and hear my story.

 

CC: I know we're both huge fans of the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and one of the things they do there is have songwriters talk about their songs and play them. What is one song that you would play and talk about at the Bluebird Cafe? 

 

MM: That’s so hard! There are so many I would love to sing. I've actually performed there a few times – it’s the most crazy experience because they this policy that everyone has to be quiet, and if anyone speaks they get shushed! That's how it should be.

 

I would say if I could go there and sing something, I would probably sing Stronger because it's about my granddad, and if I'm ever feeling down I can cheer myself up with the words of that song in my head. Life can be hard, especially in the industry, being judged and all that. It’s hard for me to be taken seriously in music because of the TV stuff. I think people think it's easy for me, but it's actually not. But I'm all here for it, and I'm working for it! I'm here and I'm going to prove that to everyone. That's what my song Stronger was about - don't give up.

 

CC: I’m sure every fan approaches new artists with preconceived notions based on their background, their looks, or anything they see or hear about them, but it’s the music that matter. The music speaks for itself, and I think your music does that.

 

MM: Thank you so much. That really means a lot. There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes - I've been releasing a song every single week for six months and now the aim is to get the album together. It's been a lot of work, but it's all worth it because I'm here at the biggest country festival in Europe now! This is insane. I couldn't be happier.

 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my interview with Megan, coming very soon! Keep your eyes peeled on @CiarasCountry to be the first to know when it's posted. Thanks for reading! 

Interview: SAM WILLIAMS (Part 2)

I'm back with the fantastic Sam Williams! Check out Part 1 of our conversation here first, and read on as we chat why he loves sad songs so much, new & upcoming music, favourite artists and more - enjoy! 

 

Ciara's Country (CC): A lot of your songs are very sad – what is it about sad songs that appeals to you?

 

Sam Williams (SW): I think I'm just sad on the inside. I think it could almost be genetic and that I’ve gone through a lot too, so my process is to get that across in songs and when I’m performing.

 

CC: Is that the type of music you listen to as well?

 

SW: I listen to a lot of rap music, a lot of hip hop, R&B, pop music. I love a vocalist too - Miley Cyrus, Samara Joy – she just won Best New Artist at the Grammys, I think she's incredible. Really all different kinds of music. Sad songs draw me in, but they inspire me too.

 

CC: Do you have any songs by other artists that you wish you wrote?

 

SW: Angels Like You by Miley Cyrus. I love that song. Her ability to reinvent herself and still remain true to herself, to keep people guessing but still be so invested and create something beautiful every time is amazing to me.

 

CC:  I think it's really interesting that you speak about Miley because she started in country, and then moved to pop and rock. On Glasshouse Children, we also hear a couple of different elements - how would you define your style?

 

SW: A little bit alternative and a little bit country. I like to describe my style as soulful,  just that it appeals to the soul when you're listening to it.

 

CC: Definitely true! Which song on the album holds a special place in your heart?

 

SW: I would say Can’t Fool Your Own Blood is really special to me. I'm proud that I made up that idea and had the inspiration to write it. I always get a lot of compliments about the writing of that song.

 

CC: I can see why! Can we expect more new music from you throughout 2023?

 

SW: Absolutely. When we get back, I’m getting in the studio as soon as I can and starting to work on the new album. I've already started a little bit, writing for about a year now. It's time to get in and cook and see what comes out!

 

CC: Can you give us any sneak peeks of themes we might hear on this next project?

 

SW: There's still a lot of searching and longing but I think that it's more dreamy and explorative. It's synonymous with Glasshouse Children as in that it's rooted in country songwriting, but it also branches out to other genres and has elements of other sounds.

 

CC: I can't wait to see what we get for that one. Do you have a dream artist that you would most like to collaborate with on that album?

 

SW: I always say this but it is Miley. I've always looked up to her and she seemed just more like a ‘big sister’ than a celebrity. I think that we could create something beautiful together. Honestly though, after the Dolly Parton collaboration on Happy All The Time, I'm set for life! That stamp was what I needed.

 

CC: Amazing names there. How about some lesser known artists – are there any underrated artists that you think everyone should be listening to?

 

SW: I think Caitlyn Smith is a legend and everybody should know who she is. She's written some of our favourite songs and has the best voice in Nashville. That's my number one. I'm also really excited to see what Pillbox Patti's about. I haven't been able to see her yet, but she looks promising so I'd love to see what she's up to.

 

CC: Great suggestions! Alright, my final question for you Sam - what is one question you've never been asked in an interview but would love to be?

 

SW: What's my favourite colour?

 

CC: I need to know it.

 

SW: It’s Tennessee orange. This is a very specific shade of orange, very bright and obnoxious and I love it.

 

CC: And the title of a great song! Sam, thank you so much for your time today.

 

SW: Thank you! 

 

Another wonderful interview with another wonderful artist! Still more to come - stay tuned on @CiarasCountry to be the first to know when the next one is posted!