Fox Reviews Rock

Introduction

Natalie Shay is a multi-award winning artist! Known widely for her explosive none stop moving live performances. Lyrically her songs are so related to so many people. Influences include The 1975, HAIM and Sam Fender.

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Interview

We saw you opening for Gavin DeGraw , what he like and what was it like joining him on tour?

Natalie Shay – He’s awesome! A true artist with a super long career  meaning he can play songs from so many different eras. He’s a really lovely guy, humble and complimentary, was very nice to me and always took the time to say well done and wish me luck before my sets!!

It’s always daunting supporting someone you’ve never met, their reaction to you can really affect how welcome you feel and your confidence on stage performing to their fans. Gavin was such a great person to support!

Speaking on tours you mentioned you had just returned from the states, where had you been and what was playing your music over the pond like?

Natalie Shay – I was in Nashville! For a week playing shows, and writing, and eating. It was a really special week and trip, making and solidifying relationships and contacts out there. We also played at the bluebird cafe, which was a dream of mine since I was like 10 years old (massive swiftie over here) definitely a trip I’ll never forget, looking forward to heading back over that big pond 🙂

EP Champagne came out this year (2024) what’s the reception been like for it, and is there anything you would change about it since its release?

Natalie Shay – Really nice! I’m so happy with that EP and the sound/ branding/ story it came with.  Really felt like it was a culmination of a few years of work and a true reflection of my own growth both personal and as an artist. My music really is just an extension of the person I am.  Been so amazing the shows and opportunities it’s brought me!! Nothing id change, just ready to the next one now!

There seems to be a distinct tone change from seeing you live and heard you on record. Namely a more acoustic vibe live. Is there any chance of an acoustic stripped back album at some point?

Natalie Shay – Yes!! I’ve always said I’ll do an acoustic release because that’s generally the way I get booked to perform most! (Full band set ups aren’t always what is needed)  I love playing acoustic, because I feel comfortable and it allows my whole body to play the music not just my voice, I guess that’s why we get booked acoustically so much!! But yes for sure, it’s a huge part of what I do.

You have a few songs about an ex-best friend. How long was it between the friendship breaking down and feeling ok enough to write songs about it?

Natalie Shay – I’m not even over it  it happened summer 2022, and the longer time goes on the more I have to say about it, it’s been a whole process for me, it really was a matter of dismantling who I am and what I thought of myself and rebuilding my entire self, and confidence, and life without her in it. 

Songwriting is my therapy, I started writing about her the minute it happened and started releasing the songs as soon as I could, that’s how I tell my story!! And I like that it’s a bit savage 😉

To our disappointment Vape & Alcohol isn’t on Spotify, when do you plan on releasing it?

Natalie Shay – Stay tuned you won’t be disappointed;)

Like you boy is a wonderful acoustic song, obviously its very personal too. Would you be able to break down the lyrics a little? What is the song about for those who haven’t heard it.

Natalie Shay – I wrote this one about 4 years ago, it’s a song about a relationship that ended too soon, I’ve always said it’s reflecting a relationship between two people when one is anxiously attached and one is avoidantly attached. A dynamic think occurs a lot, and it can be so difficult and mind consuming to go throogh, it makes you question yourself and what you did wrong.

We know you are more on the softer side of rock, maybe even pop rock… But if you had to choose a metal/rock band’s song to cover, what would it be and how would you change it?

Natalie Shay – Does figure it out by royal blood count?? I’ve always loved that song, I’d probably Natalie shay-ify it though, acoustic guitars and emotions 🙂

What age were you when you first learned to play the guitar? Can you remember where you got your first one from?

Natalie Shay – I started playing classical guitar aged 5, I got my first classical guitar at that time! I was small so it was a half sized one haha, I had several classical guitars as I grew until my first acoustic guitar aged 11, my dad took me to the shop, it was the start of the whole dream, I tried lots out and chose a tanglewood 🙂

Having seen you live , we can safely say your energy is infectious. The moment you came on stage I don’t think we saw you stop swaying once. How do you manage to keep that level of movement up after very little sleep and a gruelling schedule?

Natalie Shay – I actually don’t get how people stand on stage making big noise and feeling music without moving the entire time !!! I get so into it, the excitement never dies, no matter the size of the show, by song  3 I’m completely into it,  my whole energy and body! No matter how unwell or tired I am, the adrenaline overtakes every single time! Sometimes I crash hard as I come off stage though haha 

How do you decide if a song is going to be more rock like or more pop like? 

Natalie Shay – I think the energy of the song can be quite clear when writing it! I’ve had a few that I’ve spend up or have changed quite drastically through production but generally I know the tone I’m going for when writing !!

You performed in Birmingham alongside someone else on the guitar. Is this something you always do , or does it depend on the availability?

Natalie Shay – Yes me and Joey usually play together!! I enjoy playing solo but there’s only so much I can do with one guitar  having the second guitar allows the riffs and bass notes and other instrumentation come through even though it’s an acoustic set, which makes a big difference in understanding a song!!

Get rid of one forever, Milk/White/Dark chocolate, and why?

Natalie Shay – I’d probably say white, I feel like it’s the one I can eat the least of at once, gets sickly fast, the other two I can eat way more of in one sitting 😉 

What’s the hardest thing about being on tour? + What is your go to snack on tour?

Natalie Shay – All I ate that week was carrot sticks and hummus so I guess that’s it!! I do love a service station, sausage roll or something. Hardest thing about tour is driving for hours when you’re tired, ADHD brain doesn’t go well with motorways at night

Do you have anything you would like to promote?

Natalie Shay – Myself !! Ahhaha  stay tuned, lots more on the way, and check out my new single ‘Hate To Say It’ I released a live full band version this week with Rainbowwood Studios and I’m super proud of it 🙂 

Thanks for having me !!!

All rights to all songs used in this interview are retained by Natalie Shay. All photos were provided by Natalie Shay and taken by Leo Duncan.