U.K. songbird, Noush Skaugen stopped by the Metromix studio today and we sat down with her to discuss her new ablum, Lost and Found and how life is treating her in the states. You can check out Noush Skaugen at the Delmar Lounge Sept. 18. She is playing at 8:50 p.m. for the Play: STL Festival.
How did you land in St. Louis?
Noush Skaugen: I am currently living between Nashville and L.A.
After playing the Play: STL Festival, what’s your next stop?
Noush Skaugen: Atlanta and then Mississippi
Do you play festivals or clubs?
Noush Skaugen: Kind of both, it’s a bit of both. We like to do festivals. But we do clubs, venues. In Atlanta, I think we are playing the Motor Sports National which I think is like 90,000 people. But I like playing large venues and then I like to play smaller venues too. You get a different kind of show like that. We didn’t bring our drummer down, the full drum kit; it’s very different from the record. It’s a very rock n' roll record. This show will be a really cool acoustic set.
What instruments do you play, what instruments are played in your band?
Noush Skaugen: I play guitar (acoustic and electric), keys, the flute and the drums. Pretty much it’s really guitar-orientated. Guitar, bassist, drummer, percussionist, and yeah that’s basically it.
Is your entire band from overseas?
Noush Skaugen: Just me from the U.K. All of the musicians are from Nashville.
If you have a rock sound why would you pick Nashville to launch your career?
Noush Skaugen: I think it is really becoming one of those unnoticed rock scenes, actually right now. If you come to East Nashville, Kings of Leon are from there, there is a lot of underground rock scenes going on there. Sheryl Crow just did a record there; Bon Jovi is doing a record there. It’s just phenomenal musicians, I mean it really, really is.
What national or global acts for that matter have you opened for?
Noush Skaugen: I opened for the some people in the UK. Here, Blue October, I believe, Paramore, The Ruse, so yeah there have been some big acts.
What is your goal out of all of this?
Noush Skaugen: To reach people with my music and have a blast. To have fun and for people to have fun and to speak to people through my music. I think that’s really why I do what I do. I think music chooses you and you don’t choose music.
Has there been one act that you have seen or followed that impresses you far beyond any other band you have ever seen?
Noush Skaugen: I think Dave Grohl is a modern day rock star. I mean all my others like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, or The Doors, Joanie Mitchell. But current rock band, definitely the Foo Fighters. Without a doubt. They put on an amazing performance, they’re all amazingly talented. They managed to capture a modern day rock sound and still have amazing songs. They have no gimmicks. I love bands without a gimmick.
When did you start in Nashville?
Noush Skaugen: I just did my record, Lost and Found, in Nashville. Which I just released and it comes with a proceeds towards Breast Cancer Research. It’s been just under a year. It took six months to do the record. I have my own label, Storytown Entertainment, out of the U.K.
Do you have investors backing you up on this?
Noush Skaugen: I am doing it very independently, very grassroots. You know the most inexpensive way possible. At this point in time, I probably am looking for an investor, I’m doing everything myself. Labels now-a-days want independent artists, show that they have a place in the market, show that people want to hear their music, show that they can do so much on their own and then an investor or label will come in and say okay, you have taken it this far now we will expose you to the world. Until that point happens I will do anything I can to make it happen.
