BENGALURU: When Lucy Rose started out her career in music in 2012, she was termed one of indie music’s breakout stars.
Four years later, inspired by the number of tweets and Spotify streams, the US-based singer and songwriter struck a deal with her fans: “If you book me a gig, I’ll come and stay.”
Lucy took her guitar and then set off on a journey through countries such as Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, playing for free and staying with fans. Her travelogue and experiences of staying with fans has been captured in a documentary that accompanies her third album ‘Something’s Changing’.
In conversation with City Express, Lucy tells us about her journey across Latin America, interactions with fans and her India tour.
Tell us about this music/travel documentary that accompanies your third album ‘Something’s Changing’.
Last year I went travelling with my husband in Latin America, staying with my fans and playing music for free for eight weeks. The documentary doesn’t just tell that story but it goes into the lives of the people we lived with, why they changed me as a person and taught me why I should never stop making music.
How did the concept of shooting a documentary come about during the tour?
Well, we filmed the whole trip for ourselves not knowing if anything would come out of it but when we got home and showed the footage to our friend, and he agreed that there was a story to be told. Because the experience was so important to me I did want to show the world the story.
What inspired the album ‘Something’s Changing’?
The whole record has been inspired by the travelling not only I did in Latin America but also in India and learning more about the world and myself and what’s important. There’s a lot of self discovery and acceptance of who I am.
Who are your favourite musicians right now?
I’m a big fan of Nadia Reid, I think she’s brilliant and Feist’s new record is insanely good.
There are several female singer-songwriters in the industry. How do you make yourself stand out?
To be honest I think that there should be a lot more female singer-songwriters, but most artistes that are singer-songwriters are male. I think as a girl you must prove yourself more, I sometimes think that if a girl was singing some of the songs that have become popular by male artists they wouldn’t have been successful. I don’t see other female artistes as competition and don’t want to stand out from them but support them in whatever way I can.
When did you know that music is what you want to do for life?
At a young age, I knew music was an integral part of me as a person and I would always play music, whether it was a career or a hobby.
What is it about India that surprises you the most?
The biggest surprise for me was that I had fans there, I could never have imagined that people so far from home would have discovered and enjoyed my music.
Are you excited or nervous about your performance in Bengaluru?
So much! Last time we were there it was an experience, I’ll never forget. I can’t wait to be back there.
Catch her Live Performance!
Something’s changing in Lucy Rose. Catch her performing live in the city as she brings along her third album along with a music/travel documentary to the city.
When: May 27
Where: The Humming Tree