Lisa McHugh tells all about her latest album Watch Me
This Scottish-Irish artist is making her way into the country music scene
Last updated 23rd Oct 2023
Lisa McHugh, Irelands leading country pop singer has just released her latest studio album "Watch Me". With 12 No.1 singles on iTunes Country charts, 3 Top 5 Pop singles in the Irish iTunes charts with “Country Mile” and “Watch Me”, McHugh has solidified her place as an Irish female country pop artist having over 10 million streams. Having also performed at the legendary The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with Gene Watson in 2014, she was also the first ever Country artist to perform at Electric Picnic in 2022, Irelands largest music festival.
Hosting her own radio show on Downtown Radio every Saturday, accumulating over 55,000 weekly listeners, McHugh knows the current demand for country music and how to meet it! With the evolution of country music, McHugh has successfully adapted to the change within the genre, creating music that not only holds to the roots of country music but appeals to a mainstream listenership. We got talking to the Scottish-Irish pop artist during her tour with US country artist Gavin DeGraw while performing across the UK leg of his tour. Here is what she had to say about her latest album.
Tell us about the new album and the writing process?
This was the first album released that had a new kind of direction to previous songs, that resulted in modern American country pop. The song writing process this time has been a complete rollercoaster. It really has encapsulated everything I’ve gone through personally in the last 4 years from the ups and downs of career, to being single, meeting my now husband for the first time and then getting married and everything in between.
Writing is my form of therapy. It’s the first album that is my own entirely, apart from the song Dynamite wrote by Jimmy Rainsford and Ryan Hennessy but the rest of the songs are all own.
Which song is your favourite to sing?
My latest single Think about me is a fun upbeat sassy song. Everyone has an opinion on everyone in the world no matter who you are. Some people can think your lovely, some people can think you’re stuck up or everything in between so I decided to write a song that basically says I’m everything all rolled into one but at the end of the day I’m just me.
What song was your favourite to write?
I wrote Magnetic about the first night I met my now husband. I really enjoyed trying to put in every kind of emotion and tension and flirtation the first night you meet someone. Magnetic was a fun song to write and brought back some great memories.
Is there a song that means the most to you?
I choose you was a song I wrote as a surprise for my husband to walk up the aisle to. Everyone has a dream of walking up the aisle. It’s a very special moment in anyone’s life to be able to write a song and make it even more special for that occasion.
Are there any plans to tour this next album?
Yes, we want to do a lot of shows next year and hoping to announce some news before Christmas time. Fingers crossed watch this space.
What do you love most about your job?
There’s nothing like performing on stage for an audience and hearing them sing your songs back and seeing the way a song can make someone’s day, how they react act to it or relate to it.
Having performed all over is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
I am only home from touring with Gavin DeGraw who is a US artist who is amazingly talented. We played venues I’d never been to before and his fans were just so welcoming. It felt like a special moment getting to play my songs a week before releasing the album. It all feels like a very special time just now.
Who would be your dream collab?
I have a few in mind…Luke Combs, Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, Shania Twain or Taylor Swift.
Make sure to check out Lisa's latest album Watch Me!!
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