Having already immersed herself into the world of music before appearing on the primetime TV show X-Factor 8 years ago, touring and writing music is something that comes naturally to singer/songwriter, Lucy Spraggan. An accomplished musician, lucy’s songs are filled with personality and lyrics full of humor. you can’t get more authentic than that.
Inspired by life experiences, 2021 sees Lucy release her third single, “Animals” from her brand new album, Choices, due for release on February 26th. We caught up with Lucy to talk about her upcoming album, being in the music industry, getting life back on track, and mental health.
The first single you released this year is “Animal,” which you mentioned is about life experience. Why did you feel like this was the next single for everyone to hear?
I just felt like it had a different musical vibe to it. It is quite different from anything I have put out and I really wanted to show that side to me. I guess I like a challenge in all parts of life, not just music. I don’t find music particularly challenging to write really, it comes naturally.
I wrote it while I was skipping. I was listening to the Bollywood workout on Spotify, which is my favorite playlist for working out too. I just love the drums and the vibes, so that made me feel like I really wanted to take influence from that. It has just got so much energy. I then went indoors and sat down at the piano!
With your upcoming album being about life experiences and overcoming obstacles, how did you find putting your feelings down on paper and turn it into music?
Writing things down has always been what I do with my emotions. I just put things down on paper. So, I guess it’s nerve-wracking this time around. It is just a lot rawer and a lot more open on this album.
Out of all the songs on Choices, what song are you most excited for people to hear?
There is a song called “Wild,” which I think people will really enjoy. But overall, I am just excited for people to hear the whole album as a finished product. “Animals” was probably my favorite song to write because it was very instinctive and fun. The whole song is about someone saying you are a certain way and then eventually, you start acting like that and it can be quite animalistic.
As your new album is all about you starting a new chapter, how important would you say self-care is in your life?
It is my number one priority in my life. I think that is important. I have literally spent my entire life thinking and caring about what other people think and last year, I was like, right, I am only going to care about things that really matter, and it changed my life. When it comes to social media, I turn off message requests now and again. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. I make sure that I control who comes in and out of my life.
What was one of the most important things you felt you learned while in lockdown?
I think I learned that my pace of life was probably too fast and that I could have done with slowing things down a little. I do a lot of working out in lockdown. It is pretty much what keeps me motivated, I do not really have much else to do. I might as well start writing another album!
From writing your first ever song to now, how would you say your work ethic has changed?
I do not think it has changed. I have always been the sort of person who would not quit. Perseverance is key in my world and I hope to stay like that for the rest of my life.
Out of any, why did you feel like this was the right time to get life back on track?
Sometimes, I just get that feeling. I just woke up one day and decide I was going to stop drinking and turn my life around. That was 18 months ago and now I am here. I am constantly checking in with how I feel. It’s not about being happy all the time, but it’s about knowing how you feel, and I don’t think I really knew how I felt until I stopped to notice. I am more of a positive person now. I was always trying to convince myself that I was before, but now I really am.
I have got good friends, family, and people who support me. I try to be a good friend to them as they are to me. So, it is about to give and take.
What/who made you want to pursue a career in the music industry? And is it what you expected?
I am just a massive show-off, then I realized I could write songs and combine the two, I was getting all the attention in the world. Not being able to play live has really shown me how much I love it. I cannot wait to be back on stage. Music has always been an intrinsic part of my personality, so it is kind of molded me for life. Without music, it is hard to know what I am.
It has been 8 years since you auditioned for the X-Factor. While on the show, was there anything you can say you took away and have applied to life in general or your career as a musician?
It was a part of my journey to this point, so as with everything in life, it was just an experience. I was already in the music industry touring the UK and America. I was then signed to Columbia Records and I remember I was excited but nervous being signed to a big corporation.
In an industry that can be quite demanding and tough, how do you find ways of staying authentic?
You must learn how and when to say no. That is something I have been reasonably good at but it is something I am better at now. You just must learn to say no, I am not doing that.
Being an advocate for positive mental health, what have you found are the best ways to raise awareness about this?
Always say how you feel and always check in on other people because when you are at your very lowest, the best thing is when someone stops to genuinely ask you how you are. It is always important to talk about how you feel.
Probably 8 years or so is when I started to realize the importance of mental health, I needed a little bit of extra help with my mental health. I really put that into motion last year and it is about being honest with yourself and honesty is important. I do not find it harder to work on it, but it is more up and down. There are a lot of hard days now, but we keep moving.
What can we expect in 2021?
Fingers crossed, we can expect some live shows. I don’t know when, and I don’t know where, but I hope they happen.