Andy Howells chats to singer/songwriter Georgia Paterson

Rosy-cheeked singer/songwriter Georgia Paterson is on a mission this summer to get people singing along! The lead track on her forthcoming EP ‘Not For Me (Na Na Na Nah)’ has that classic sing-along vibe, and “audiences have been super-quick to pick up the hook ever since I first played the song live” says the Cardiff-born, Valleys resident. Georgia worked with producer Charlie Francis (REM, The Noisettes) on the new EP, which perfectly showcases her acoustic pop/folk sound. Recently featured as ‘Welsh Artist of the Week’ on BBC Radio Wales, her debut single was produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers) with Catatonia’s Aled Richards on drums. Doctor, clinical psychologist, and research scientist are just some of the career paths Georgia started down before finally swapping the pipettes for plectrums and making music her full-time occupation. Her nickname in the lab was ‘dry eyes’ due to her emotional outbursts and it is this passion that drives her songwriting. Raised on a diet of Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and The Byrds, her love of the acoustic guitar came at a young age. She discovered the Indigo Girls in 2000 and their music remains a permanent fixture. “I was thrilled when a reviewer recently said I reminded him of KT Tunstall, I secretly wanted to be KT Tunstall or at least be with KT Tunstall, one of the two anyway!”

Who are you and where are you from?

Georgia Paterson, Singer/Songwriter. Born in Cardiff, now living in the Valleys! (Just outside Blackwood)

How did you get into music?

At 6 I asked my mother for piano lessons, and always sang in choirs as a child (as did most of my family!). I started messing round on the acoustic guitar after buying a cheap one at the school christmas market, and wrote my first song 'Great Wheels' at age 9. After seeing The Cranberries live, I bought a proper acoustic guitar and started taking music more seriously.

How would you describe your music style?

The best thing I've come up with so far is 'acoustic pop/folk' - I guess you just have to hear my music and decide for yourself!

What’s been your best live experience?

I recently played at the 'How the light gets in' festival at Hay-on-Wye. It was in a gorgeous tent and I got to hear lots of great artists perform too.

You recently played Newport’s Big splash – did you enjoy that?

Yes I loved it. It was such an amazing event with so much to see and do, and most things were free! We had a great day out!

Tell us about your New EP.

it was produced by the wonderful Charlie Francis who's worked with loads of fantastic musicians (e.g. REM and the Noisettes) and we've got a full band playing on it. It was a fantastic experience to work with such talented people and I can't wait for the launch gig on July 6th in Gwdihw, Cardiff

Where can people hear your music?

Soundcloud is probably the easiest place - www.soundcloud.com/georgiapaterson, I also have a video for my last single on you tube http://youtu.be/_wnSrmXzER8

Where can we see you live?

As I said, I'll be playing an exciting full band show for the EP Launch on July 6th in Gwdihw, Cardiff. There's a link for tickets on my website www.georgiapaterson.com

Also, I'm playing at the Gravity Sessions (@ The Gravity Station, Cardiff) on June 27th and at 'How the light gets in' Showcase at the Globe @ Hay on July 18th

www.georgiapaterson.com

www.soundcloud.com/georgiapaterson

www.facebook.com/georgiapmusic

www.twitter.com/GeorgiaP_music

www.youtube.com/georgiapmusic