VIVA catch up with BBC Introducing’s Meadowlark at Larmer Tree Festival

Will Wilkinson | 24th July 2015

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Two halves of Meadowlark: BBC Introducing act Dan Broadley Kate McGill.

VIVA caught up with the ‘BBC Introducing‘ act Kate and Dan the Bristol based duo ‘Meadowlark’ at Larmer Tree Festival to find out what all the fuss is about.

VIVA: We don’t know a lot about you or your music, how long have you been going?
Kate: Coming up 2 years.
VIVA: Kate, you were writing before?
Kate: From about 17 I was a singer songwriter.
VIVA: Did you and Daniel know each other before getting together?
Dan: Yes, I was a video director and did the videos for Kate’s solo songs and then we became friends.
VIVA: And that was in Plymouth?
Kate: Yeah, we both grew up in Plymouth and then we both moved to Bristol a few years ago.
VIVA: As I understand Kate, you are from Wales?
Kate: Yeah I was born there, it’s a bit confusing.
VIVA: Because I was going to say Tom Jones another great Welsh singer was on the main stage last night and wondered if the Welsh have an unfair advantage when it comes to singing…
Kate: My parents are Welsh and all my family are  as well, but I don’t think being born in Wales would make a difference.
Dan: If the Welsh accent comes through, it can add something very unique. It can be an advantage to have that back story and character as part of their voice, but it wouldn’t help if they try and blend in with what they consider the norm, but be true to yourself. We like to imitate American singers and I think the Welsh don’t need to as their accent naturally lifts the notes and if you are Welsh..lucky you!
VIVA: So, for the people who don’t know much about you, how would you describe your music?
Kate: I’d say kind of melancholy, Indie, pop, mostly kind of dark songs but good pop music.
VIVA: We saw your video ‘Family Tree’, which  is really lovely.
Dan: Yeah, that’s kind of where we started, much more folk influenced like bands such as Fleet Foxes and loads of other artists coming out of the folk scene into the pop scene and now moved on. That song was very piano and somber and we evolved from that.
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Before the Meadowlark: Dan Broadley used to be a video director.

 VIVA: Are you still proud of that?
Kate: Yeah, definitely it was the first song we put out there on Soundcloud. The song and content we are very proud of.
VIVA: So how do you go about crafting your sound. Does it start with the lyrics or generated by your instruments?
Kate: Most of the time we are melody driven and thinking of really cool melodies and generally focus on that first. We send each other ideas on the phone and when we find something we really like we get together and focus on getting the song written.
Dan: We use cords as a foundation.
VIVA: Do you share lyrics or is it down to you Kate?
Kate: No definitely a shared thing.
Dan: But as Kate’s the singer it is important that the songs are personal and Kate’s stories are sung from the heart.
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Lyrics from the heart: Kate McGill has been a singer songwriter since she was 17.

VIVA: So Kate your lyrics come from personal experience?
Kate: Yeah, because it has to be a very personal thing and if I write a song it can’t be just ‘walking down the street’ stuff, it has to be real.
VIVA: How many festivals are you doing this year?
Kate: Another four or five including two in one day.
Dan: About ten over the year, not too many as we are writing so its not too distracting.
VIVA: Do you think festivals have a different vibe to your own gigs? 
Kate: Definitely.
Dan: We use festivals as a catchment thing, so it’s a chance to play to new people and a fresh crowd and see what they think of it and most people respond well.
VIVA: For the future, what would be your ideal gig, where would be the ultimate place to play?
Kate: Colston Hall in Bristol..there’s something about it.
VIVA: Where would you like to be in ten years time?
Kate: Definitely doing this, touring but maybe pick and choose when we do it and not have to do it.
Dan: It’s solely based on longevity, we want to continue and not be a one hit wonder.
Kate: Whatever happens, we’ll be happy with it.
VIVA: Are you in Manchester in the not too distant future?
Dan: It’s on the list and it’s a really cool place and a city known for its’ music and a fun place to go.
VIVA: Thanks Kate and Dan from Meadowlark!