A RAPIDLY rising musician who loves to visit Colchester Castle says her forthcoming appearance at a major music festival came as a “surprise” after being told over the phone.
Erin LeCount, 22, from Chelmsford, is an alternative-pop singer-songwriter and producer who has gone viral for her song Silver Spoon and has received widespread critical acclaim.
She performed a sold-out headline show at London venue Rae’s in March with demand for tickets five times the venue’s capacity.
The songwriter, who visits Colchester “all the time” and loves visiting the castle, spoke to the Gazette about how she first discovered and nurtured her interest in music.
She said: “I always sang from when I was quite young, I never really began with lessons or anything.
“I started going to the Hermit Club in Brentwood when I was nine. I used to go there and rehearse every weekend, and that was out of the kindness of their hearts.
“I just learned by doing it really, then it was open mics and local pub nights.
“It went from there.”
Erin will perform on the BBC Introducing Stage at Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival in Liverpool on Saturday, May 24.
Erin’s music has been supported by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing Essex.
She said: “When you look at who has been on the BBC Introducing stage in the past couple of years, it is artists I really love and hold in such high regard, so it is a real honour.
“I was given a call and surprised with the news. They filmed the call. I was very flustered and embarrassed, but it was really lovely.”
Erin releases new EP I Am Digital, I Am Divine on April 23.
It’s a project that has taught her many lessons.
She said: “I’ve learned things take a lot longer than you first ever expect them to and sometimes just because it isn’t happening instantly, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.
“Some of the songs took a long time for me to get right and for me to understand them and [making this EP] has given me a lot more trust in myself as a producer.
“It can be hard to trust your taste sometimes and you can overthink, but the less you overthink the better sometimes.”
Asked how it feels to be touted by the media as one of the next big acts in music, Erin said: “It’s all really lovely. I’ve been doing music for a long time, but having people react to it is relatively new.
“But I am 22, love what I do, make everything in my garden shed, and live at home with my parents.
"I’m having such fun but in many ways, I still feel very grounded.
“The only time it ever feels real is when I’m playing shows, when there are real people in front of me.
“I think it is really easy to look past the social media stuff and be in a bit of a daze about it.
“But it is really fun. Every now and then you play a show or meet someone and have an interaction, and it becomes a bit more real.
“I’m so excited about everything. It still feels incredibly personal and intimate to me still, somehow.”
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