Unique voices in folk music elevate the traditional format to a new level, which means any artist hailed as the voice of the future is worth paying attention to. SNACK caught up with Amelia Coburn to discuss her debut album, stories, and live shows.
It’s about a month since your debut album, Between the Moon and the Milkman, was released – how are you doing?
I can’t believe it’s been a month. It feels ages ago and so much has gone on since then. I’m really happy it hit the charts and that people are enjoying it and buying it; it’s been good fun.
The album reached 55 in the UK chart and 15 in the folk chart, so that must feel good?
Yeah, no one can take that away from me, and it’s not all about metrics. Seeing that the album was popular enough to do that, with no major label and just grassroots support from fans, that’s nice.
You say you’ve got songs dating back to 2017. At what point did the songs you were writing start to feel like an album for you?
Once I graduated from university, I had a big collection of songs that were popular. I’d released a few singles in lockdown that went down really well and got national radio play. I cherry-picked my favourite ones – there were a few themes that went through it, like the travel aspect, and night time. I wrote a lot of the songs at night, or they were about night, so it felt like quite a cohesive piece in the end, but it wasn’t intentional.
You’ve got a big tour across in May and June, including a Glasgow gig. Have the preparations started yet?
We’ve had rehearsals and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never played with a band on tour, not this band anyway, and I’ve never been to some of the places – well, I’ve been to Glasgow as a tourist, but not to play. It’s the start of a new era for me.
What should people expect from your live show?
That’s a tough question. Expect the album, and then there’s always that bit of magic: every show is different. Expect a good few stories and rubbish patter between the songs.
Was there a point you fell in love with stories or storytelling, or has it always been part of your life that you can remember?
It’s always been part of my life. My dad had a camcorder: all our Christmases are on film and I’m singing in the living room doing concerts, and there’s videos of me reading my nursery rhyme book. I like hearing people’s stories; when I go abroad and meet people they have such fascinating lives, and you realise how boring your life is!
What are your hopes or aims for the rest of the year?
I think my plan for the year is to see where this album takes me. If other people discover it, that’s really nice. I’m looking forward to writing more, and to touring the album.
Between The Moon and The Milkman is out now on Quiet Crown and Amelia Coburn plays Glasgow McChuills on 30th May.
All Photos Credit: Mike Sreenan
