UK country-pop singer-songwriter Louise Parker has continued to win hearts through her heartfelt/charismatic lyrical storytelling and ear-catching vocals, which has led to a variety of much loved anthems such as “Tequila Sunrise”, “Fool’s Paradise”, & “Miserable In Paris”!
Louise continues her exciting musical journey as an independent artist with her second album “Petty In Pink”, which is packed full of emotionally charged and character filled tracks. The album captures the many emotions of the everyday and guides listeners through the many sides of love and life.
Louise has kindly taken the time to speak with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution regarding the journey behind “Petty In Pink”, touring, and finding out more about the iconic person behind the music. You can find the full interview below.
Hey Louise, thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. Could you start by introducing yourself to readers who might be unfamiliar with your music?
Louise: My name is Louise Parker, I am a modern country-pop singer and songwriter from Essex.
When did you first discover your passion for music and know it was a career you wanted to pursue?
Louise: I started writing songs when I was 12 years old, at that age you don’t have a fear of ‘am I doing it right?’ You just do it. I was already performing on stage doing musical theatre and loved the attention. I then fell in love with songwriting and catchy hooks. When I got my first guitar at 16 years old, I knew there was no looking back.
How would you currently describe your musical style and feel it’s evolved over the years?
Louise: I would say my style is modern country with a twist. Sometimes that’s pop, sometimes it’s rock, I’ve even released tracks with a blues edge recently. But one thing that’s always certain is there will be an annoyingly catchy line or chorus or riff you can’t get out your head!
I started writing pop music and evolved into more singer/songwriter which has since evolved into country. I feel I’m hugely influenced by the music I listen to and love (Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain) and the more artists I discover and love, the more I grow as an artist.
You recently released the brand-new album “Petty In Pink”. How did the idea for this album come together?
Louise: Petty in Pink is a collection of songs that I wrote after a break up (SIGH) and the way I felt, the emotions I was going through, most of which was PETTY! I’m quite mature (some of the time) so getting to channel my energy into an emotion that makes me feel uncomfortable was really fun, like a new outfit or a change of hair colour. It was a real release at a time that was really confusing and sad.
How did you come up with the name “Petty In Pink”?
Louise: It was actually a suggestion by a friend and we were laughing about it, I don’t think either of us guessed I would actually go through with it and call the whole album ‘Petty in Pink’! But, if there’s one thing you should know about me, I always take a joke that one step too far!
What are some of your favourite songs from the album?
Louise: I love the title track ‘Petty in Pink’, it’s actually the last track I wrote for the album. I just think it’s so catchy and fun. One massive eyeroll in a song.
‘The Compromise of Quitting You’ is a really sweet moving on/love song that holds some really important and vulnerable lyrics.
‘Two Sides’ is probably one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written. It’s one of those I hear and think ‘I can’t believe that’s my song’. If it wasn’t and I heard it on the radio, I’d be jealous of whoever did write it and wished I had!
What does this album personally mean to you?
Louise: Everything I release means the world to me, because every song is my story. I’ve often said that my music feels like my children and when I release that song into the world, it’s like sharing family with strangers and that can be really scary.
If listeners could take one message away from the album, what would you like it to be?
Louise: Just breathe.
Alongside the album, you embarked on a tour. How did the idea for the tour come together?
Louise: Releasing an album is a huge feat that takes many working parts and people, why not make it 100x harder and plan a tour alongside it?
I wanted to celebrate these songs that mean so much to me and the people who this music reaches. This music no longer just mine and I feel the best way to connect and share this common interest is to go out and find them.
In the build-up to the tour, we saw you take inspiration from Billy Locket by sharing ticket sales in the lead-up. What inspired you to create these videos, and how did it feel to film them?
Louise: Billy inspired me. I’m an incredibly honest person and watching his videos I knew I wanted to also follow in his footsteps and show people behind the curtain.
How did you find your experience on tour, and what are some of your favourite memories?
Louise: Tour is always great, I get to spend quality time with my best friends on the road and meet and greet people who I don’t always have an opportunity to see. It was also tiring, living on the road, disappointing, when you show up to a gig and only a handful of people are there, and hardwork. I’m not sure people release it’s never just about turning up and playing, there’s a lot behind the scenes that goes into planning and prepping a tour.
Now, let’s discover more from the person behind the music. What are some of your favourite hobbies?
Louise: Apart from music, I really enjoy crafting; knitting, crocheting, building tiny houses. Anything that gets my creativity flowing. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
Are you more of a staying in or going out person?
Louise: I’m equal parts both, I’m quite bubbly and active and love seeing my friends performing, if I’m not on stage myself. I also experience burnout and a low social battery and love staying in, watching Disney films and talking to as very little people as possible.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Louise: Bubbly, enthusiastic, passionate.
What is one random fact about you that no one really knows about you?
Louise: I’ve never broken a bone, or even fractured anything!
If you could possess one superpower for 24 hours, what would you choose and why?
Louise: Reading people’s minds, I have a low self-esteem and although it’s something I’m working on, I’d love to know how people really felt (TOXIC, I KNOW).
What is the best piece of advice someone has ever given you?
Louise: There’s three sides to every story; your side, my side and the truth.
Finally, is there a message that you would like to share with the readers of Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?
Louise: Thank you for being here, this wouldn’t be half as fun without you!
You can check out “Petty In Pink” on Spotify below or via more platforms here.
