Interview with Vic Allen

From busking on the streets of Norwich to recording her debut album, it’s clear that Vic Allen has a bright career ahead of her.

Vic has had an exciting year so far, with artists Beth Keeping and Emily Faye as part of the Write Like a Girl Tour, recorded new music, and even been over to Nashville.

I had the pleasure of talking with her about all things new music, future gigs and Mr Men!

You went to Nashville recently! What did you get up to?

I actually had a very quick visit this time! I played a few writers rounds, did a little bit of writing, and went to see a ton of live music, so there are lots of new songwriters I’ve discovered that I plan to write with on my next visit. I also caught up with lots of my friends that live out there, and got some backing vocals recorded for a new song that will be out soon!

When did you start to become interested in Country music?

Before my first ever trip to America, I hadn’t actually listened to much country music, apart from my mums James Taylor tape that she pretty much had on loop in the kitchen throughout my whole childhood!! But when I was 19, I went to New York state to work on a ranch. Everyone out there listened to country – they’d play it when we were drinking, sing it round the campfire… I discovered this whole new genre of artists I’d never heard of before. Something about it just clicked with me and I fell in love with it. At that time, I already played the guitar, but discovering country was what made me start singing and writing.

You started off as a musician busking around Norwich, do you have any cool stories/memorable moments?

Busking can be a real test of character sometimes… I’ve had someone steal money out of my guitar case right in front of me, someone slam my microphone onto the ground as they walk past, someone else threaten to call the police as my amp was too loud… There were good things too obviously, and it’s a great way to get people to hear your music… But I don’t busk anymore!!

What is the best song/lyric you’ve ever written?

All my favourite things I’ve written are unreleased!! I have a song called ‘Give Up’, which is about the struggles of trying to pursue music. The second verse talks about moving back in with my parents, and there’s a line that says ‘So blinding, Sunday morning creeping in, I picked those curtains as a kid’. It might not mean much to anyone else, but to me it perfectly sums up waking up in my sunny childhood bedroom because I couldn’t afford to move out. Lyrics wise, two other songs I am really proud of are called ‘I Can’ and ‘Borrowed Time’. You’ll get to hear them soon!!

What’s your favourite gig of this year been so far?

The final show of our ‘Write Like a Girl’ tour will always be so memorable to me. So will the whole tour!! But at the final show, there were so many dedicated country fans and it was such a great atmosphere.

(You can read our review of the Write Like a Girl tour here: http://www.bellesandgals.com/2018/05/12/write-like-a-girl-tour-review-megan-roberts/)

If you were a character from a book/film, who would you be and why?

Little Miss Scatterbrain from the Mr Men/Little Miss books. Because I forget/lose/am late for everything. My brother got me the book for my birthday once.

What do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

I’m releasing a new song from my upcoming album, which I am SO excited about. I am more proud of this than anything else I’ve released, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I’m also playing a few shows before the end of the year, including a support slot for Cattle & Cane which will be fun.

Your latest single was Blinded, which is incredible by the way! Could you tell us the meaning behind the track, and where people can find/stream it?

Thank you!! Blinded started out in a weird way- I was in a long distance relationship that I knew was going to end, and I originally wanted the song to be about me leaving and kind of apologising for ever getting involved with someone I knew I’d have to leave behind. But it ended up more from the other persons perspective – the person who got left behind… So I guess the song is kind of about me!! You can find it on iTunes, Spotify, anywhere you can get music!!

Interview conducted by Megan Roberts (twitter.com/megwritesalot)