Fresh from school and just off age, Lucy Rose left the bucolic bliss of Warwickshire to make it in London – as a geography student. Well, so much for the theory! Putting her studies on hold, Lucy soon swapped lectures for jam sessions with like-minded musicians who shared her love of sweet, yet experimental sounds.

From this moment on – and for quite some time – her music and life oscillated between big city life and the sound-proofed basement of her parents’ countryside retreat. Naturally, this commute’s invigoratingly disparate influences left their mark on Like I Used To with hints of city and nature, tranquillity and bustle. The resulting debut, a self-confident, self-contained and self-financed recording marathon, is all her own – making it a great risk for the young singer, but a refreshingly undiluted portrait of her taste and spirit for the rest of us.

By now, Lucy Rose has garnered more than a few references to the young Suzanne Vega – a comparison that sits well with her sprightly talent. Just like the iconic and idiosyncratic 1980s singer-songwriter, she sticks to her guns and does things her own way. Time for a brief review!

We know you are in-between cities at the moment – thanks for talking to us on the road! How is your current tour going?
Right now, we’re touring Germany and our ancient minibus is about to give up the ghost – but it’s all a lot of fun. Hamburg and Berlin were fantastic. Yesterday, we did a stint in Vienna and today we’re already heading back to Frankfurt! So many miles, but I have to admit that I love being on the road. And there’s a one-month UK tour coming up in a few weeks.

How would you describe your own album? How do you feel about it now that it’s done and out there?
It’s a bit like having my first baby – I poured my entire heart into it. So, I guess it’s hard to have an unbiased opinion, but I gave it my all and it sounds exactly the way I had imagined.

Why did you record it all at home resp. at your parents’ place?
Back then, I didn’t have a record deal and decided to finance the album by myself. So, I had the choice of taking out a loan and renting a studio – or persuading my parents to keep it all in the family. Fortunately for me, they didn’t mind and we moved in for a few months. That was the best experience of my life.

There are already quite a few cover versions of your songs out there. Does that feel strange or do you like it?
I find it pretty incredible that other people are covering my songs! Really great. I can still remember what it was like sitting down with my guitar to try playing my favourite songs. I still can’t quite believe that now others are doing the same with my own creations!

Could you define your sound in three words or less?
Cinematic. Charged with emotions. Funk.

You have collaborated with Charlie Hugall. Did it up the ante for you – knowing that he had already produced artists like Florence + The Machine?
Not really. I knew he had worked on a Florence song and collaborated with some well-known people, but we are simply a very good team and he really understood what I was trying to achieve. I couldn’t have done it without him.

Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
“I could drink a case of you, darling, and I would still be on my feet.“ Joni Mitchell.

Are there any up-and-coming artists you would recommend? Anyone out there who really excites you?
I love this band called Peace – one to look out for!

More information on Lucy Rose: www.lucyrosemusic.com
Album-Stream
Music video Red Face