Belles and Gals Live Spotlight! – Shannon Hynes

This Sunday sees the second ‘Belles and Gals’ showcase live event, an event highlighting some of the very best talent on the UK country scene! Tickets here – http://www.wegottickets.com/event/457748

The showcase takes place at the legendary Water Rats venue in London on Sunday evening and for four days we’ll be taking an in depth look at each of the four artists.

If you had to name an artist who has made the most impact on the UK country scene in recent months, Shannon Hynes has to be on the list. She hit the scene with a bang when her debut single ‘I’m Not Pretty’ shot straight to the top of the charts, and then she followed it up with a second number one with ‘Someone to Drink With’! Of course, we know all about Shannon Hynes here at Belles and Gals as she is also a member of the team! Shannon is also the ‘resident artist’ at our Showcase gigs, so you’ll get to see her every time!

I caught up with Shannon this week for a fun chat ahead of Sunday’s gig!

What was it that got you started in the music industry. And what is about country music in particular that you are drawn to?

Well, I actually studied music in University. I did a year at LIPA in Liverpool and then did a songwriting degree at BIMM London. I think my interest for music really started getting out of control when I discovered Country music and songwriting, both came hand in hand as the writing is the magic of country music. It started to become a sort of therapy for me. It’s kind of hysterical to look back at my first songs and lyrics, thank god, they’ll never see the light of day!

And which artists have influenced you in your career, and who are you listening to right now?!

It all started with 90’s country, that’s when I fell head over heels with the genre, artists like Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks and Dolly – mainly because that’s who my parents would listen to. But, I started to find myself in my music when I started listening to Ashley Monroe, her music opened me up to more of the traditional side of the genre, which now, is truly where my heart lies.

At the moment i’m listening to the C2C artists who are coming over. I’m loving Abby Anderson’s EP, Runaway June and Carly Pearce (like always).

You’re hosting a fantasy dinner party. You can invite three famous people (alive or dead) – who do you invite?

Oh wow! Well, I just recently watched the Lady Gaga documentary, she’s such a fascinating woman, I’d love to get in her head for a few hours and see what’s going on, I reckon we’d all be like ‘WHAT?!’ haha! Err, Dolly. Just, because! And finally, maybe Lori McKenna, I love hearing the stories that come from these Nashville songwriters who literally just write songs all day. I feel it’s such an intense way of writing, but whenever you hear one of these songwriters talking, they’re full of such gratitude and over-taken by love for their job. I’d be so interested to hear about their ups and downs.

OMG, but seriously?! Can you imagine these 3 together?!?!

Shannon performing ‘I’m Not Pretty’, her debut number one single, at the original ‘Belles and Gals’ Showcase

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/457748