On The Radar #100 Hayley Ross

LAST November Hayley Ross released her first EP Fierce Love on the Brighton-based label Barracuda Recordings.

Now our hundredth On The Radar star talks about her love of Brighton and how time on the road influenced her writing.

“I was born in Surrey and have lived in London and Hastings (which I loved) but Brighton is home.

I've lived here seven years and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I think once you live by the sea you can't move away from it.

“Probably my first written down, recorded song was at eight years old on a cassette player. I think it was a love song. I picked up the guitar at 13 so I could accompany myself.

“Vocally I love the greats like Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith and I love the way Sister Rosetta Tharp handles an electric guitar. I think my main influences would have to be anything by Phil Spector, The Velvet Underground, The Breeders and Suzanne Vega.

“I spent a few months in France and Spain where I just simply had an abundance of time. I was freed up from the day-to-day nonsense of modern living out of the four walls and outdoors. I've always sung, written and played music but I really fell in love with it all over again when I could dedicate a proper amount of time to it and realise this was what I needed to be doing. Working with the guys at Barracuda Recordings has enabled me to continue that. As an artist, to be supported while you are being creative is a very special thing indeed.

“I met percussionist Rory Clarke through an ad in the NME more than ten years ago. On the recordings I play most of the instruments so it’s really about trying to emulate that for the live shows as much as possible as a two piece. We’ve been introducing other instruments to the stage, such as the harmonium and Rory sings on some tracks too. I love working with him as he really get's what I'm trying to put across not to mention he's a brilliant drummer.

“Some songs on the Fierce Love EP came really quickly while others you can be chipping away at for a little while. The song Fierce Love itself took about an hour to write and record. It's really lovely when it happens like that, almost like the song has been written and delivered to you in full. It was recently selected to be featured on MTV's show Awkward which spurred the release of the EP. I've been in the studio working on my album with the fantastic producer Martyn Barker. We're nearly there - I think it'll be out in the summer.

“There will be two more EPs before the album comes [the next Barracuda is out on Friday, March 11]. We are discussing ideas for the video, which we will be shooting this month. I’m touring Ireland with The Duke Special in March and festivals in the summer. There’s lots of music making, writing, recording and gigging to come.”

Hayley is playing a Calderdale Flood Relief Fund Benefit supporting Smoke Fairies at The Social in Little Portland Street, London, on Wednesday, January 13. For more details see thesocial.eventcube.io/events/3041/calderdale-flood-relief-fund-show

She is back in Brighton on Wednesday, March 16, with a show at the Prince Albert in Trafalgar Street.

Find out more:

www.barracudarecordings.co.uk

youtu.be/w7RfgQM0GCU

soundcloud.com/barracudalabel/fierce-love-single-cuda001?in=barracudalabel/sets/hayle-ross-fiece-love-ep