Louise Le Gry

Spotlight by Severine, We7 PR Guru

At We7, we always like discovering great new voices in Pop music. Louise Le Gry is one of those voices. Having successfully come through the Tastemaker challenge, her first album is attracting a new layer of fans. Being influenced by strong female singers such as Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Aretha Franklin, helps Louise in delivering a fresh and emotive sound that fits perfectly with her captivating voice.

The interview

Hi Louise, how are you feeling today?
Happy: I'm healthy, I have an album I am proud of, it's a new year and I'm ready to rock the world! How are you?

Great great, thanks! Your album is absolutely fantastic. How would you describe your music and the message you put across in your songs?
I would like people to think of my music as having integrity. I love to play fun characters in the lyrics particularly apparent in Stolen where I am quite a judgemental third person, and in Shadows where I am the consoling friend. I believe that through a somewhat dark approach to lyrics, you can often provoke more of an emotional reaction from the listener than by being too obvious and self serving! So the message I give is different from song to song, and character to character.

What is your first musical memory?
I was very young. I remember my dad putting a tape cassette on in the car and this strange beguiling voice of a woman capturing my imagination. It was Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. I sang along in my childish, little voice and loved it! I've never forgotten how she moved me, so I always play her music in my car and can still be caught singing to Kate at the top of my lungs!

Did you always want to be an artist? If not, what did you want to be as a kid?
To be liked I guess, just like any other kid. I think music grew up inside me at it's own pace from a very young age, but I became aware of its undeniable presence a little later on.

What did give you the push to start a musical career?
It just became all I could think about. Being able to spend every single day of my life focussing on what I love, is a luxury. Every day I am surrounded by music, is another day well spent.

What personal influences have shaped your music?
Ahhh so many, too many to list. There are some of the greats like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone. Tori Amos's early work has had a significant impact, and of course the fantastic Kate. Every day in this fragmented yet deliciously reborn industry, there is another artist out there somewhere that influences my work.

How was the recording of "Shadows"? Any great memories?
Yes-yes-yes, Shadows was a bitter sweet experience. Bitter because the story is a sad but true one about a friend going through a personal trauma. I have wonderful memories of hearing the production as it took shape and realising just how beautiful the string and piano lines were – and how perfectly they conveyed the emotion of the story.

You have diverse and great musical influences. Who would you like to record a duet with?
Kate of course! Rufus Wainwright – Newton Faulkner – Arcade Fire – Damien Rice. There are SO many!

Who was the last artist you saw live?
Tori Amos at the Hammersmith Apollo, London. Wow!

What are your plans for 2008?
Always more songwriting and recording. My project at the moment is putting together a great band to promote the album so thanks for all your support at We7.