Beaux Saunders

Beaux Saunders

Beaux Saunders has just been thrown into the spotlight thanks to her being one of the ten nominations for HitLab Emerging Artist prize at this year’s Grammys.

The only British representative amongst the ten unsigned artists, she's hoping to win the chance of performing at the auspicious gala takiing place in February.

We spoke to the London singer about her nomination, her musical influences and Fleetwood Mac.

 

You’re one of the ten nominated artists or the HitLab Emerging Artist award. What’s that been like?

Yeah, it’s been really crazy. I only just got back from being on holiday over the New Year and was looking to get my songs out there right away and this whole thing happened! So that was really good timing and it’s an obvious platform to promote myself.  

I got put forward by a producer I work with in America, so he put me forward for it and didn’t tell me until I got into the final ten. Which was quite nice actually, as if he’d told me before I might have gotten my hopes up and it would have been a bit disappointing had I not made it.

Have you picked out a Grammy’s gown though?

(laughs) No, but my sister works in fashion so she’ll have something to say with that. I’m not very fashionable! She'll definitely be in charge of that should it come up.

As the only UK act amongst the final ten, that scientifically makes you the best unsigned singer in the UK right?

I suppose so; I hadn’t really thought about it like that (laughs). Hurrah for me! That’s crazy though, there’s so much talent out there. Every gig I go to in London I see people and I’m wondering how they’ve not got a deal.

Is it hard though making a name for yourself whilst unsigned?

Yeah, it is. I started out just playing the piano just doing lots of little shows here and there, you know, open mic nights just getting myself around as much as possible. Then I got some management and started going in a different direction, then another just trying to find the right sound for you.

HitLab, which gives everysong submitted a score as to how good a hit it might be, gave your last single ‘Ain’t It Beautiful’ 95%. That’s a pretty good score right there.

Out of all my songs, I’m not even sure it’s my very strongest really. We kind of released it on a whim because it sounds quite a summery happy song and the chorus is quite uplifting but I definitely think I’ve got stronger songs. I’m very glad it’s been received the way it has though.

What is it that inspires you musically?

Well, I find myself listening to a lot of late sixties, early seventies music. For some reason I seem to only really like male artists. Apart from Dusty Springfield, but that doesn’t make me a lesbian (laughs). I don’t really like a lot of music from the female point of view, where the man is always bad to you and your heart’s broken and you want the listener to feel sorry for you. I much prefer music that empowers and provokes passion really.

Is there any word on an album coming up?

Last year I was just working on lots of different tracks, so I’ve got a set of songs together now to make an album out of them. But I’ve got another single under my belt that I’ve got to release, but it’s all exciting at the minute.

Is it true you have a bit of a thing about the film The Last Waltz?

Yes, I do. I love that film. That’s the kind of music I love. The Band are probably one of my favourite, well, bands really.

Rumours is re-released this week, we’ve heard you’re partial to a bit of Fleetwood Mac, so what makes that album so special?

Oh my God, Fleetwood Mac are like the superband of all time in my opinion. They’ve got everything really. The funny thing about that album is that not only did they all have massive drug problems, they were all writing songs about each other in the band. Then they would have to perform them together which I can imagine would be so strange.

A lot of the songs I write about people, I don’t say it’s about a certain person. But they obviously all knew who they were all about. So it was pretty brave of them all really.

We’ve also heard you much prefer good old-fashioned pubs rather than a swanky nightclub. Why’s that?

I don’t really know. When I was younger I went to clubs and all that. Not that I’m old now really, I feel properly middle-aged saying that. I just prefer proper old man pubs to swanky bars though. They’re just expensive and don’t have any vibe or soul, they’re just cold.

So what’s next for you in 2013?

I’m just concentrating on this HitLab Grammy nomination, so that’s really the main priority right now. I’m writing with a few different people, my schedule’s really filling up at the moment. There may be a tour, getting my band back together and rehearsing the new songs, but there’s a whole to do before now and then.

I feel guilty if I do nothing. If I’ve ever got a hangover, I’m just sitting there feeling guilty and always feel I should be doing something if I just sit there watching TV.

 

Beaux Saunders is nominated for the 2013 HitLab Emerging Artist prize. Make sure you vote for her at the HitLab website and find more of her music at Soundcloud.

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