What is your style of music? I play acoustic, folky, hip-hop. A woman told me my style should be called 'A-FLOP', and that is what it has become! I tell stories with my songs; some of them are funny, some are sad and some are just about things that inspire me. There's a link to all my music on www.lucyspraggan.com Who are your influences? My Mum raised me on Don Maclean, Joni Mitchell and Eva Cassidy, so I feel like their song-writing had a huge influence on the way I write. We also used to listen to a lot of Dolly Parton, I think she is brilliant and is such a huge inspiration. As I got a little older I started listening to rap music; my ipod is full of Big Pun, Biggie and Tupac's greatest tracks. Sometimes I pick up the speed of the lyrics in some of my songs and fit as many syllables in one line as I can, I first wanted to do this after hearing It's so Hard - Big Pun. What equipment do you use to record your music? I recorded my first album with Will Farley, a good friend of mine who has a set up in his living room. We made the most out of the equipment he had and it made making the album so fun. We used a pair of tights on a coat-hanger as a pop-shield.
How do you promote yourself?
What fo you think of Live & Unsigned UK? Why should people enter?
I use Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites to promote online, as well as keeping in contact with local radio as much as I I think L&U is a great stepping stone for those performers that are can. I gig a lot too, I think it helps to be seen as many people as pos- trying to get that little more exposure or to build up their confidence. sible. You get feedback from the judges, the chance to win great festival slots and the opportunity to meet lots of new faces. It's an easy way Tweet me @lspraggan! to network with people that can help you switch your hobby into a career. What are the positives of your industry? What advice would you give to someone looking to break into In 2012 I managed to tour 23 of the United States in 3 months, just the industry? playing my guitar in different bars and staying with people I met on the road. Keep at it and stay positive. Gig as much as you can and make lots For me there are so many positives - I love seeing the reaction of a of contacts. Take in the criticism, but don't let it upset you, trust your crowd when I play, there's nothing better than seeing that people can instincts and make sure what you are doing makes you happy. relate to the stories I'm telling. It's great to get a really positive email, or a tweet from someone who has heard my music, that is a real What do you have coming up? confidence boost. I love meeting new people and other musicians and the travelling that comes hand in hand with doing so many gigs. Lots and lots! I'm writing for my new album at the moment, as well as touring the UK. There are a list of up and coming gigs on my What are the negatives? website, here's a few you can catch me at this Summer; Y-Not, Strawberry Fields Festival, Osfest, L fest, Manc Pride, Sheffield The negatives are that it is very hard work, it's easy to get tired and Pride, Beatherder, Wow Festival, Taunton Academy and many more! lose spirit a little bit, but the previous positives keep me going!