Interview: Natalie Shay – “Big Energy. Deep Lyrics. Guitars. Hair Flicking.”

Ahead of her upcoming showcase at Austin’s 2023 SXSW Festival, Recordspin caught up with UK-based indie-pop songwriter and musician, Natalie Shay.

Over the past few years, Natalie Shay has established a loyal fanbase and much-deserved critical acclaim through her viral-worthy pop anthems. The London-based musician has been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday in twelve countries, supported the Little Mix curated indie-rock band Since September, and even appeared on BBC’s “Saturday Mash Up”.

And 2023 has not started any differently. Shay is already celebrating the release of her new single “The Edge”, preparing for an upcoming UK tour supporting Jacob Lee, and making her first appearance in the US within a showcase performance at Austin’s SXSW.

Ahead of her upcoming performances, Recordspin connected with Natalie Shay via email. Here’s what she had to say.

Hey Natalie! Thanks for spending the time to answer some questions for us. You’ve already kicked 2023 off with a bang – new song, confirmed a tour with Jacob Lee, and preparing for an upcoming SXSW performance. How are you feeling about this year?

I’m super excited! Maybe also slightly overwhelmed, but in a good way! I need to remember to stop sometimes and take in the view, enjoy everything. Because it’s super exciting and special.

The new releases capture your vulnerability around the loss of a relationship. With such a contrast in styles, with “The Edge” as a synth-powered pop anthem and “Everything’s Been Happening” feeling more-so like an acoustic ballad. What was the writing process like for these?

“The Edge” was written in a session with Roo Primrose on the hottest day of the year in 2022. I knew exactly what I wanted the song to be about and what I wanted to say. So, after finding the melodies and chords, the rest of it came together super quick.

As for “Everything’s Been Happening”, I wrote this song at 3am in my room, on my own, on a very out-of-tune guitar after having a little cry about everything. It’s basically just a monologue of my thoughts that night.

Watch Natalie Shay’s “The Edge” Video below

With “The Edge” being produced by Roo Primrose (Liv Dawson, Lily Ward) and “Everything’s Been Happening” seeing you return to work with Kaity Rae (GIRLI, Betsie Gold), what was it like working with them and how did their production influence the respective songs?

This was the first track I’ve done with Roo Primrose, even though we’ve been friends a while. He’s so amazing. I love his production, and the track hasn’t really moved too far away from how it sounded on the day we wrote it. He’s so quick and creative.

As for the B-side, I know I can always count on Kaity for the most beautiful acoustic-country production. So who else would I take the track to!?

We read how you studied at The BRIT School, which obviously has some very notable alumni (Adele, Amy Winehouse, FKA Twigs to name a few). How do you feel that experience has helped shape your career/style?

BRIT was a unique experience. I loved it. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now without it. The biggest things I learned there was how to turn my dream into a career. I learned about the industry and how to release, mixing with so many likeminded people across all creative areas definitely influenced my work, and I’ve worked with lots of ex-BRIT people on pretty much everything I’ve released since. Being exposed to “the real world” at such a young age was so important for me and my development as an artist, but also just as a person.

Outside of your own solo material, you have been a guest vocalist within the dance community after working with the likes of Giuseppe Ottaviani, Grum, Kryder. What does that experience usually feel like? To venture out of your traditional sound…

It’s always quite exciting! I never know when something is going to come up. I enjoy doing it. It’s always fun to see the finished product and see people connect to the lyrics from different areas of music.

With a string of tour dates coming up, what should concert-goers expect from a Natalie Shay live performance?

Big energy. Deep lyrics. Guitars. Hair flicking.

And, aside from SXSW, can we expect to see any other US tour dates soon? And where would you like to perform?

Nothing set, but I’m hoping Texas can be the start of that journey. I would love to tour the States. I would love to play in Nashville and just anywhere that great musicians have played before. So cool.

To close, what song/album have you been playing on repeat recently? And don’t say Taylor Swift, though we know that’s probably true…

Hahahahaha, if not Taylor, then definitely the new [The] 1975 album. I’m having my second [The] 1975 obsession period of my life. The first came when I was about 14.

Listen to Natalie Shay’s “Everything’s Been Happening” below

Be sure to stay up to date with Natalie Shay, her upcoming releases, and tours, by visiting her website here.