Artist of the Day | NATALIE SHAY
ARTIST OF THE DAY
16.08.2021
NATALIE SHAY
LOCATION
London, England
GENRE
Indie Pop
CURRENT MEMBERS
Natalie Shay
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
I had a big plan for 2020, I had my debut EP set for release in April 2020, followed by a big headline show in London, several tour dates, then a press trip to LA, everything got cancelled except the release haha! Ultimately it was ok, the release was still successful and it kept me busy for the first few months of lockdown, I'm only slowly starting to be able to tour this EP though, hence why I held off releasing anything else new until now!
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
This year so far seems ok, the headline show has been moved to 24th nov 2021 instead, and I am now using it as the release show for the second EP instead! unfortunately, still no sign of gigging abroad yet, however in terms of smaller festivals and gigs, I have had a ton of bookings come in for this summer already! fingers crossed things continue to go this way!
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
To be honest, work hasn't really stopped, the only thing that really stopped was the shows, but then this time was replaced with other things, I have still had many writing sessions and a ton of work and interviews and more online based things. Ive written and recorded the entire next EP since covid began! however, playing shows has been such a huge part of my life since I began doing music in 2012, this was the first year I didn't have 2-3 shows a week since I was 13, I really noticed my mental health slipping and I really just put it down to this! I love playing live so much, it was such a huge gap without doing the thing I love the most. Once I noticed a change in myself, I found new ways of enjoying my evenings, I made the effort to see and speak to friends more and have been so looking forward to playing live again!
As things are reopening & restrictions are lifting have you booked any new gigs? Tours? Etc? If your region is still under restriction, how are dealing with the Covid third wave?
Mostly outdoor smaller gigs and festivals at the moment, looking to book full cap shows from November onwards. I did however play a sold out socially distanced headline in London last month! was the best thing I've done all year, I had more fun than ever before.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Keep strong, it won't be long :)
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