Essential 8: Lucy Grubb

Hailing from the UK, Lucy Grubb is an Americana singer-songwriter who draws from genre heavyweights such as Johnny Cash and Paul Simon, and more currently, Jason Isbell and Courtney Marie Andrews. On October 31st, she released her second EP, Dear Walter, and here answers her Essential 8 where she talks about the EP, personal songwriting, where we'd find her if she wasn't making music, John Mayer, the Opry, and more!

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
 When I was choosing songs for my first EP ‘18 Miles’, I actively decided that I wanted there to be one song about my grandad on it, as he was the one that got me into Country music and ultimately led me down this path. So when choosing songs for this upcoming EP, I wanted there to be a few shared themes throughout both of the releases, one of them being another song about my grandad. This time I had a track ready and waiting, and it was called ‘Dear Walter’. It seemed fitting to call the second EP ‘Dear Walter’, because these tracks are for him. Not all in the literal sense, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without his input, so this is my way of reaching out to him and saying thank you. Even though he’s no longer around, I think he’d appreciate the sentiment.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
I jot down a lot of notes on my phone on the bus, but I exclusively write full songs on the sofa in my parent’s house. I have tried writing in other rooms, other houses, different modes of transport, but it only works on the sofa. It’s a pretty comfy sofa so maybe that’s it.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
When I was younger I had a pretty wild imagination so my songs were all fantasy based. I guess you could say that as a 12 year old I wasn’t really going through a lot at the time, so I didn’t have a lot to write about in my personal life.

As I got older, and I reached about 16, I started drawing in on my own experiences, simply because I enjoy writing about what I know. I feel like I don’t really have the authority to write about the experience or feelings of others, only my own. It has almost become therapeutic, kind of like writing in a diary. My songs get very personal, and that’s OK with me. Most of the time when I’m writing about my feelings towards someone else, its subtle or disguised in a metaphor. This way I don’t have to address them directly, and it means that other people can relate to the songs a lot easier.

---

What are your “must have” albums for the road?
 I’d have to say Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’, Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bookends’ and Don Mclean’s ‘American Pie’ album. Oh, and maybe some John Denver. My mum has a lot of Simon & Garfunkel CDs in her car and we travel a lot together so it comes down to Paul Simon most of the time.
 
Who would you love to collaborate with?
Definitely John Mayer. He’s one of my favourite songwriters and he’s successfully covered a lot of genres, so I think it would be interesting to see what we could produce together. I’m thinking it would sound similar to his ‘Half of My Heart’ track with Taylor Swift, but less about love and with a lot more banjo in it. John if you’re reading this give me a call.
 
Are there any songs you are tired of playing and why?
I know I shouldn’t have a song I’m tired of this early in my career, but it’s got to be ‘Change in the Weather’. It’s one of my older ones, having written it after a break up about 4 years ago. The song served its purpose, it was my therapy and I moved on from the relationship, however I still have to keep playing the song. I find it hard to rediscover the emotions I felt when writing the song when I perform on stage, so it takes a lot of effort. It also reminds me of a time when I was unhappy, so I don’t enjoy playing it for that reason too.
 
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
It’s got to be playing The Grand Ole Opry. I honestly can’t think of anything I’d love to do more than play on that stage, the history is just so overwhelming. I heard that when you have your debut night at The Opry, they put you in Room 4, and there are loads of signatures and words of encouragement on the walls from fellow Country stars. I think that’s pretty cool. I’d like to sign my name next to Johnny Cash.
 
If you weren’t a musician/songwriter where would we find you?
Honestly, I’m really into psychology, it was one of the four subjects I studied at college. I’d most likely be a criminologist, I find people super fascinating and I like trying to understand what makes them tick. Failing that you’ll find me at home watching various crime documentaries or maybe some Louis Theroux.
 
Facebook/Twitter