Delta Maid
Country Blues singer/songwriter Delta Maid has been described as a Liverpudlian Loretta Lynn. She tells Female First how a girl growing up next to the Mersey ended up singing songs better suited to the Mississippi.
-As a Liverpudlian, where did your country influences come from?
I grew up listening to Country music because my Mum and Dad were into it. I was exposed to it and naturally developed a love for the genre.
-Do you think you’ll be easily accepted into the genre?
I’m really not sure but I don’t classify myself as a purely Country artist at all, of course I am influenced by it and therefore it is translated in my sound and songwriting but I’m also heavily influenced by other genres, Blues, Soul, Folk.
-Have you had any feedback from any experienced country musicians?
Unfortunately, no!
-Do you think there a risk that your music might be seen as imitation?
When I entered into music professionally I really didn’t think that I would have to go so far as to defend my own integrity and that deeply saddens me. I write my own songs, I never consciously sat down one day and said, right now I need to sound like this. It is what it is.
-Your album is heavily blues influenced, does the content of the songs reflect this genre too?
Well on the whole it’s an introspective album and naturally as a person who struggles with life in their own mind this is reflected in a lot of the lyrics. Some of the songs are about low times I’ve had. On the other hand some songs are written from the perspective of others. A song on there called Footprints was based on how I felt some of the older people I came across (during a time I worked in a nursing home) felt toward the younger generation.
-You’ve supported the likes of Ray LaMontagne and Martha Wainwright, do you think the popularity of the current folk scene could accommodate country blues?
Again I don’t know the answer to this but I would like to think so. Country Blues is a very old and established genre that runs into a lot of modern folk music to this day. It captures the same essence of raw feel and human condition, to me they already overlap.
-You have a degree in Biology, did you ever think music could become a career?
I studied to be a Vascular Scientist for a while before I fell into music professionally. To me music has always been my sanctuary from the beginning. Even if I wasn’t involved in music professionally it would always be a major part of my life.
I’m a pessimist by nature so to do music for a living would have been a dream too far to reach, that’s why I didn’t sort of chase after it until I got some interest in my songwriting.
-Tell us how you came to cover The Strokes’ Under Cover Of Darkness? (are you a fan)
I first became aware of The Strokes when my friend from Uni constantly played “Is This It” over and over again in the halls of residence. From then I had a massive admiration for them.
When I heard their recent radio song in the car I was as#tounded by the melody changes.I loved it and had a go just on the off chance it would work.
-The Telegraph said you ‘look like a WAG, sound like Patsy Cline’, would you say that’s fair?
I have to laugh. I think it really has something to do with the fact I’m from Liverpool more than anything. Although the Patsy Cline reference is a nice compliment.
I don’t put myself next to her though, I’d be an idiot if I believed it.
-As well as Patsy Cline, you’ve been compared to Eva Cassidy, how does it feel to get comparisons like those?
Obviously it’s very complimentary but again I’d be an idiot to put myself next to those greats.
-Do you think your music will appeal to a modern audience?
I would like to think the music is timeless enough to transcend generations and spreading yourself thinly just doesn’t work. I’m not consciously doing anything to please a younger audience and conversely if people think I’m old-fashioned then I welcome it. I believe what I do appeals to all generations.
-Have you ever visited the Delta region?
No although it’s something on my list of dream things to do. In fact I’ve never been to the states in a musical sense at all.
-Would you like to go there to play your music or would you find it intimidating?
I would love to go there without a shadow of a doubt and there are plans that may take me that way in the future. I’m keeping an open-mind hoping that people over there will like what I do and I’d be nervous of their reception. Let’s hope it works.
Female First - Antonia Charlesworth