Lucy Rose enjoyed moderate success with her 2012 debut album Like I Used To, which proved her to be an assured acoustic artist, but the young Warwickshire musician’s talent was somewhat lost among a surge of indie folk at the time. On her new album Work It Out Rose creates a bold new context for her voice. The acoustic guitar remains present, but this time Rose insists on being heard. She plays festivals including Kendal Calling and Leeds this summer and heads out on a full UK tour in the autumn.
How did you feel about your last record being labelled with adjectives like gentle, fragile and pretty?
It’s difficult to know because the fact that people are even paying attention to the record to write about it is an honour and in all honesty it probably was all those things in ways. I’ve learnt to accept people’s opinions but not let them affect me.
You said this record is “hopefully going to sort a few things out” – what things are they?
I guess I just want this record to show I’m not just a one-dimensional artist. There is more to me than the labels I’ve been given. I’ve written every song on this record and not co-written. It’s 100 per cent me and I think it won’t be what you expect.
Was the bigger sound on Work It Out an attempt to do that or is it reflective of the fact that indie folk is less prominent than it was a few years ago?
The sound that Work It Out has found wasn’t really on purpose. I’ve just written these songs and arrangements with nothing in mind except this feels natural and right. The record has naturally become what it is, and I guess touring the last record with a band made me want to explore that avenue more.
Your label paired you with songwriters but you rejected the experience. Why?
I learnt very quickly that co-writing wasn’t for me. The one thing that songwriting has given me over the years is happiness. However, being in those serial rooms with strangers talking about “feelings” was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I’ve had. I’m a pretty closed book so I think it was all probably much harder on the poor writers I was paired with.
Is it important for you to have a close relationship with your fans?
For my wellbeing it’s really important to have a relationship and connection with my fans and people who can relate to my music. It’s the whole reason that I keep pursuing this career – not just for my enjoyment but because I hope I can give something that helps other people like music has helped me all my life.
How mutually important has your friendship with Rae Morris been in finding your ways through the music industry?
She is one of my best friends and having her on the end of the phone is invaluable as we have gone through very similar things. She’s family and that’s everything.
Do you spend much time in the north?
Yes, I’m actually married to Rae’s brother Will so I do spend a lot of time up north with those guys – beautiful part of the world.
Antonia Charlesworth
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