CREDIT – DAMIEN FRY
AS the UK’s most successful country act get set to take to the stage in Scotland’s capital as part of the first ever Edinburgh Summer Sessions, we caught up Ward Thomas to chat about their rise to the top and how they approach songwriting.
Rural Hampshire may not be the ideal setting in which country music can thrive, but Ward Thomas found themselves gravitating towards the sounds of dusty America.
“Our Canadian cousin Libby came to live with us when we were little and she loves country music. She got us into the Dixie Chicks and we then became obsessed with everything harmony based and country.”
When the songs that would become their debut record started to take shape, despite the influence and inspiration of other genres and notable artists, the country-influenced upbringing found the duo constantly falling to the music that came to them naturally.
“We purposefully tried to not be focussed on country or any other genre after our debut album ‘From Where We Stand’. We wanted to be free to explore and not be defined by any sound in particular. The country sound has always come very naturally for us, but we have written with co-writers who are more influenced by other genres, especially pop and we have found that it has really helped bring new perspectives and variety to our sound.”
“We’re both inspired by many different artists. Taylor Swift and Fleetwood Mac are both big writing influences as are many more. Every day we both come across something that sparks an idea for a song, whether it’s a melody, concept or a lyric, we make a note of it then share with the room when we’re in a songwriting session.”
Ward Thomas followed the path that all up and coming country artists thrive for, when they stepped from their local pub, on the plan to Nashville to continue their songwriting journey.
“That happened when we were at college. Our singing teacher Ann Bailey at the time introduced us to her contacts in Nashville and the next thing we knew we started going over there to record a bunch of songs we’d written at school with the songwriting teachers Matt Greaves and Ann Bailey.”
The globe-trotting approach to songwriting clearly worked, when Ward Thomas became the first UK country band to achieve a number one album, back in 2016.
“We still can’t quite believe it at times… we always try to have low expectations but high hopes… when ‘Cartwheels’ got to number one we were hoping to get in the top 40! So that was and still a very surreal moment for us.”
In the middle of a festival-filled summer, Ward Thomas bring their upbeat live show to Edinburgh alongside Paloma Faith.
“We can’t wait! We don’t come to Edinburgh enough and when we do we always love it! It’s definitely a city we can both see ourselves living in! We always have a great time on stage and hope that reflects on the audience! Lots of fun upbeat moments and some raw country style harmonies. A real mixture.” Tickets for Paloma Faith’s show with Ward Thomas at Edinburgh Summer Sessions are on-sale now here.
