Laura Musgrave, a rising force in the world of music, brings a unique blend of confessional songwriting with a deeply emotional and personal touch. In this exclusive interview, we embark on a journey into the heart of her creative process, unraveling the layers of her craft that have earned her recognition and acclaim.
Known for her latest single, “Almost,” Laura delves into the inspiration behind the powerful chorus and poignant lyrics that explore the courage to walk away from love that falls short. Collaborating with fellow songwriter Craig Taylor, Laura shares the dynamic process that brought this emotionally charged song to life.
Having achieved notable recognition, including consideration for the 2023 GRAMMY Awards® and winning the ‘International Female Single of the Year (Gold Award)’ at the International Singer-Songwriters Association Awards, Laura reflects on how these accolades impact her approach to the craft and serve as motivation for future endeavors.
As we explore the evolution of Laura’s musical style and the messages embedded in her latest single, “Almost,” she offers a glimpse into exciting projects and aspirations for 2024. The interview concludes by acknowledging the impact of exposure on platforms like BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Leicester, emphasizing the crucial role they play in supporting emerging talent.
Join us in this insightful conversation with Laura Musgrave, where we uncover the emotions, inspirations, and aspirations that shape her captivating musical journey.
Your songwriting has been described as confessional, with a deeply emotional and personal touch. Can you share your creative process when it comes to crafting these heartfelt lyrics and melodies?
Sure! I’ve got a little notebook of inspiration that I’m always writing random ideas, words, and phrases in. I’ll go through it and see if one of them feels like a strong enough idea for a song. If so, that’s when I’ll begin playing around with drum programming and guitar chords, and the song will take shape from there!
“Almost” is your latest single, featuring a powerful chorus and poignant lyrics about having the courage to walk away from a love that falls short. What inspired the theme of the song, and how did the collaboration with fellow songwriter Craig Taylor come about?
I had the initial idea after talking with a friend about those dating or relationship situations where it seems like it’s a bit one-sided. It feels like the other person’s heart isn’t fully in it, and you just know it’s time to move on.
I’d known Craig through a songwriting circle for a couple of years. I’d put together the first draft of ‘Almost’ but it was quite rough, and Craig had some good suggestions for developing it. So we decided to team up and re-write the song!
The production of “Almost” involved recording in both the UK and the USA under the direction of producer Becky Willard. How did this international collaboration impact the overall sound and vibe of the song?
The recordings in the UK mainly focused on my vocals, a rough guitar part, and a quick set of drums. That laid the foundation for the song. The USA recording sessions were the key to bringing the song to life with guitars, backing vocals, keys.
Your musical style has been influenced by pop-rock from the 2000s. How do you infuse elements of the past into your music while still maintaining a contemporary and fresh sound?
From a songwriting point of view, I listen to that era, as well as more recent songs. I geek out a little bit on it – looking at what elements are fairly timeless, and what are more recent trends.
The production side is all credit to Becky Willard of VoxFox Productions. I’m lucky to have worked with her for years. She has a great talent for being able to pull on past inspiration and make the song sound fresh at the same time.
Your musical journey has garnered recognition, including being under consideration for the 2023 GRAMMY Awards® and winning the ‘International Female Single of the Year (Gold Award)’ at the International Singer-Songwriters Association Awards. How do these accolades influence your approach to your craft moving forward?
It really gives you a moment to reflect. Sometimes you’re so focused on what you’re doing day-to-day, that you don’t get many chances to pause and celebrate how far you’ve come. It’s fantastic motivation to keep going and aim for the next level as a songwriter and as a musician.
What can listeners expect from your latest single, “Almost,” in terms of musical evolution and the overall message you aim to convey?
It’s firmly a pop-rock track, and like my last single ‘Rent Free’, it sits quite well with rock or pop-punk songs as well. My vocals are definitely more influenced by those genres here. It’s got more attitude than some of my earlier songs! I hope people can relate to that feeling of knowing in your gut that a relationship isn’t right, and being prepared to put yourself first by walking away.
Looking ahead, what exciting projects or aspirations do you have for your music in 2024, and how do you see your sound evolving in the future?
I’ve got several singles planned for 2024, and I feel like I’m really settling into my sound now. I can definitely see myself pulling on more of my rock influences in future.
In addition to your success in the music industry, you’ve been featured on BBC Introducing and played on rotation at BBC Radio Leicester. How has this exposure impacted your journey as an artist, and what role do platforms like BBC play in supporting emerging talent?
It definitely helped open my music to more people, and I got to know some fellow artists through the BBC Introducing network as well. For a lot of artists, it’s the first chance they have to connect with potential fans through radio. And for music fans, it’s an essential opportunity to find new music by new or emerging artists in the UK. Without it, I’m sure a lot of music would go unheard.
