Vocalist Lucy Clarke is proving to be one of the freshest rising vocalists of the music industry to date! Having supplied top lines for some of the biggest names in house and electro to trance and hard dance, Lucy’s diverse range of vocals have secured her collaborations with artists such as Eyereel Allstars, Narcotic Thrust, Mr Groove & Vergas, Chris Hoff (Kanagawa), with pitches for Robbie Rivera, Chris Lake and Sash on labels such as Armada, Subliminal, Kidology and Riot Recordings. And if that wasn't enough, she has also worked with the Soul Seekerz, as well as being the featured artist & co-writer for Kinky Malinkis brand track ‘Kinky Way Of Life.’ So as you can see, this young lady is by no means making waves in the dance world with her luscious vocals, and so on 13th July, Qudos has very excitingly invited Lucy to perform a showcase of her collaborations past and new!

Hi Lucy thanks for taking some time out of your hectic schedule to speak to us! So if you don’t mind I’m going to probe away to give the clubbers out there an insight into what’s going on in Lucy’s world! So, lets start from the beginning. How long have you been singing/ performing/ writing music for?

I started seriously trying to get into the industry back in 2001. I used to be a karaoke fan, and met a gentleman who offered me my first taste of what it’s like to be working seriously as a singer. I became part of a corporate band touring the UK for a month, which gave me an rough insight into the business. After then contacting a Trance writer who I found on the internet, I wrote and recorded a few tracks with him and worked alongside various producers building up tracks for a decent (ish) demo. I sent various demos off to Si Paul (Lost Witness) a few times over the years and finally, with it being at a satisfactory level, I was signed up to SP management in 2005. I have suffered a few setbacks & let downs along the way, but as long as you have a good attitude and are determined, these things will pass you by.

How vocally trained are you?

I have had 8 lessons in my life, but used to sing at school in the choir, but still never really got much guidance whilst being young. It is only since being totally focused and a change of direction in my life at 20yrs old, that I put all my efforts into networking and seeking work. I think if you can sing, you don’t necessarily need training, but vocal maintenance is something I will be looking into, in the future (when I can afford the lessons again!! Not cheap but good investment).

Who was the first producer you worked with?

I used to go on clubbing forums and I came across a local producer who was actually just asking for vocalists to contact him re: work - so I did and that is how I got into the writing side as well. In the old days, I used to think that if you could sing, you’d just be given the songs to sing, but quickly came down to earth with a bump, when I realised the whole background of needing to learn to write my own material as well as the fun singing side! I’m wouldn’t even class myself as a natural born writer, but I have developed these skills over the years and hopefully some would say, I’m not too bad at it now.

What’s your preferred genre of music to work with?

Well, many years ago, I discovered Progressive House, and that was my great love. This stemmed to Trance (hence the Si Paul contact), then over the years, I found Funky House was also to my taste. I like to think I’m versatile with what I sing and I don’t just stick to one scene. I think you can’t be too pinpointed as a singer. I like to hop across from the Funky through to even hardcore recently. Basically, wherever the work is, but I’d say, House and Trance are my core preferences. I’m also a big clubber and I love to dance to all the music I like to write and record, so I find it does help with keeping up to date with the current trends.

What has been your most memorable experience/gig?

This wasn’t one of my biggest gigs, but holds good memories for me - singing at a small bar in Oxford, for a friends birthday back in March with a whole massive bunch of my friends standing in front of me, standing on a workbench with a sheet over it - (You make do with what you’ve got! ;) ). It’s all about atmosphere to me and as they say, quality, not quantity! Also, my first gig for Kinky at the prestigious Pacha, London was a good experience. Even though I was squashed by the side of the bongos and was JUST about given the mic in time but it was a night to remember!!

On the night I’ll be coordinating your production showcase for you, but which artists do you perform LIVE with at events?

I do usually work alone, with a DJ playing my plain backing CD and me singing the tune Live. I have recently been given the opportunity to do a couple of gigs with the Hard Dance producer Greg Brookman, and was asked to sing at a couple of festivals, one of them being Escape In The Park and the massive Sanctuary Festival! - Both totally different from the usual set up and allows for more mistakes with equipment etc as it’s all done Live, but the experience of working as a team is well worth it. It’s good to share the performance with a group of musicians/ artists who are really at the top of their game (alongside Greg and Craig Hypnosis who was performing LIVE efx such as scratching and a live guitarist too!) - it was great to sing in front of a large, up for it crowd.

Who are your current projects with and what have you got in the pipeline?

I usually have several projects all going on at the same time. I’ve learnt that I need to prioritise my work, although that’s sometimes easier said than done! I have done film soundtrack work with N-Joi, and Kinky Malinki are shortly going to be releasing our single. A few other tracks are just close to completion. I have also been working with Pacific and VanDyk over in Holland as well as working on tracks with a guy called Andy Jones (who met randomly online years ago), and also of late for Pierre Pienaar. I met Matt Williams of Edison Factor while out one night, and we have now finished an exciting House project together. And ontop of that I have an upcoming single with Eyreel Allstars, as well as having a few vocals lying with various other producers that are being worked on, and should be ready for release over the coming year.

Which artist would you most love to work with?

I very nearly had a vocal signed to Robbie Rivera last year, but things took too long to sort out and that vocal was signed to Kanagawa (Hoff & Eyre) and released earlier this year. I’d like to work with some mainstream artists such as Dave Spoon and Tom Novy plus, I have really got into Electro since it came onto the scene and I’d like to do more work in this area. After having seen Technikal working hard over the past year, I have been speaking with him and we are aiming to get some work done together. I also have big aspirations to work with top artists such as a Armin and Tiesto. The world is your oyster and if you work hard enough, I think most things are possible. I am also looking forward to getting to work with a new Trance artist called Johan Ekman. Look out for this guy as his work is immense.

Who is your idol/who do you aspire to?

As a youngster, I was brought up on 50’s – 90’s music. Both my parents are singers and musicians and my dad is still in a band today. I always used to go to his gigs as a child. I used to hear Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, The Pretenders, and Gypsy Kings. I do appreciate what well made music that is, but it’s not the path that I’ve chosen to follow. I was always a big fan of Karen Carpenter at school and then after leaving school, I found dance music and I realised that was where I saw my future in the industry. I have appreciated artists such as Charlotte Church (I know little cheesy, but Brave New World is a tune!!). It was actually after hearing Abigail Bailey (Herd & Fitz) at my local club that I pulled my finger out and got properly stuck into my career. It was the ‘it won’t come to you’ thoughts that made me realise I’m not getting any younger and there are plenty of artists who want the same as I do and it was down to me to make it. I think Kathy Brown, Barbara Tucker, Eva Cassidy and also Sarah Mclachlan are artists I have a lot of respect for.

How much time in the week do you commit to your music?

I am unable to commit full time to my music career at present, and that is often the case with a lot of people on the scene, but I spend a good chunk of my spare time to writing and maintaining contact with producers, old, current and new. I’d say at least 3 hours a night doing something music related, and then on top of that, any time I need to commit to gigs (mainly at the weekends). I am most active in the evening and can find myself in front of the computer writing & listening to music well into the early hours! My sleep pattern is rubbish but you can’t help when your brain is at its best.

So what can we can expect to hear from you at QUDOS on 13th July!?

Well I'm looking forward to delivering an array of styles starting off on the Funky side and slowly getting harder and blending nicely into the acts following my sets either side. I think Qudos is presenting Mango and Reading with a great assortment of music, so the night won’t just be aimed at the harder crowd. I know Reading has a strong House following, but I think this new event will open up the minds of a lot of people in the area and beyond, and will go on to make a popular new name on the club scene.

There are some fantastic names including Lisa Lashes, and also an upcoming name on the trance scene, Jordan Suckley, as well as the Dirty Cowboys who are renowned Reading favourites that I’m going to be performing alongside that evening. Will be a first for me seeing you play as well Tina! I’m bringing an enthusiastic crowd down with me so really can’t wait for this now!! Let the show begin!!

Cheers for the good questions.

See you on the 13th! Lucy xx

www.myspace.com/lucyoclarke