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Ward Thomas interview

UK duo Ward Thomas are on the rise and leading the charge when it comes to home-grown country music.

Often considered a genre best-suited to the US, country music gets a rough ride in the UK but Ward Thomas are determined to change people’s minds. Their debut album From Where We Stand is released on Monday and their current single Pushing For The Stride is available now.

We caught up with twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy to find out more about Ward Thomas, talk about their album and find out how hard it has been to get recognition as a country act in the UK.

Hi there. How are you both today? Where does this Q&A find you?

Hello! We are good, this Q&A has found us on the road to Oxford to play at Whispering Bob’s Under The Apple Tree session :).

Your new single Push For The Stride is coming out this month. Tell us about the track and the inspiration behind it.

The song is always about picking yourself up when you’re down, the idea is to push forward and push for the stride and you will get there in the end.

The single is taken from your debut album From Where We Stand. What can people expect from the record?

We feel that our record has a real mix of country roots and our own roots.

Tell us what youā€™re like in the studio; how do you work together and put a song together?

In the studio we tend to have lots of fun! Nashville’s working environment is so relaxed we tend to sing and record until the job is done, whether it is at 5pm or 11pm, putting a song together is normally decided before we head to the studio. But there are always new ideas when we are recording to add or take away.

Itā€™s quite unusual to find UK country artists as country isnā€™t a mainstream genre here in the UK. How challenging is it to find support as a country duo in the UK?

We have been really lucky with the support we have been getting. I think that it is because although we are country we never try NOT to be UK country. It’s a good challenge though šŸ™‚

Nashville has very much been at the forefront of promoting country music outside of the US. Do you think that show has made it easier for people to realise that country music isnā€™t all about toe-tapping and line-dancing?

Definitely, the music coming out of Nashville the City is amazing and it is so great to have a show that gives people over here a taste of the music that is created over there!

Where does your love of country music come from?

We were introduced to Country music at an early age when our cousin brought it over from Canada. Artists like Alison Krauss, The Dixie Chicks and Miranda Lambert

What artists would you say have shaped your music?

We were very influenced by the Dixie Chicks’ harmonies and we love Kacey Musgraves’ songwriting.

When can fans see you performing live?

We are currently on tour, covering lots of the North and south west and London šŸ™‚ You can find all the dates on our website wardthomasmusic.com

Do you have anyone else coming up in 2014?

We are planning more touring, and more releases!

Ward Thomas’ debut album From Where We Stand is released on Monday 21st July 2014. Watch the video for Push For The Stride below:

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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