FANCY HAGOOD INTERVIEW, LONG ROAD FESTIVAL, STANFORD HALL, UK

Orla: Hi everyone, so I have Fancy here with me today. I am Orla with Sippin’ on Country. Would you like to introduce yourself Fancy?

Fancy: What up, it’s your boy Fancy Hagood!

Orla: Thanks so much for chatting with me today.

Fancy: Of course, thanks for having me. 

Orla: Of course, I get it’s so busy and hectic, and you’ve probably had so many interviews!

Fancy: It’s so much fun!

Orla: So, how does it feel to be here at the Long Road?

Fancy: It’s a blast. It’s like a dream come true. It’s a little warm, but for the most part, the weather is nice, like… you got a breeze happening. Spirits are just so high, both in like the artist section and out in the crowd, like, meeting the people that come here to enjoy music, it’s just, like, the most warm audience and you can’t have a bad time at the Long Road. 

Orla: No, exactly! And I love the Long Road because it’s so chill, and you can just wander around, go see who you want to see without it being too hectic. And when we’ve got the nice weather, it’s even better! 

Fancy: Totally.

Orla: So the last time I saw you perform in the UK you played the Lower Third in London. I believe that was your first time in the UK? If I’m right.

Fancy: It wasn’t my first time in the UK but my first time on tour. It was my first headlining show in the UK, yeah. 

Orla: And that was the Fly Away Tour. And I think it’s so crazy because when I went to see you, it was like a tiny crowd. I mean, wasn’t it? It was a small venue. 

Fancy: Yeah, small venue.

Orla: And then when you played here, the interstate yesterday was just packed! How does that feel, to go from playing the Lower Third with such a small crowd to being here at the Long Road and just seeing all the support?

Fancy: It feels amazing, and you know, It’s… I’m an independent artist, so I’m really committed to to growing this thing brick by brick, and it’s really special. I feel so grateful for the UK crowd, where it’s like you know, my first time over here really playing ever was Country2Country.

Orla: Yes, of course.

Fancy: Following that up in August with the Fly Away Tour and then being here at the Long Road this year, just seeing how it grows and, you know, and just seeing that tent full yesterday just made me a little emo.

Orla: Of course, I’m not surprised! 

Fancy: And on the main stage today.

Orla: Of course, I mean I looked around and there were so many people and that must give you so much pride. It’s awesome because you are doing so well over here and everyone is wanting to see you and you hear ''ah Fancy’s amazing!'' And that’s great to see, especially with the growth of independent artists like yourself. Especially in country music because I guess it can be challenging. I actually saw you at CMA fest, I think it was the reverb stage! 

Fancy: Yeah, it was!

Orla: I think that was the day where we had really bad weather! 

Fancy: It was!

Orla: I think you were the last act I saw before they had to shut down the stages because it was just like, awful.

Fancy: Yeah, and you know, a lot of people are starting to call me a weather jinx, but the Long Road is now proof that I can play an outdoor festival and it not rain! 

Orla: Well you brought the nice Nashville weather over! 

Fancy: Yes, someone call Brandi Carlile and let her know that I can play an outdoor festival and it won’t rain. (Laughter)

Orla: I love it! So your new album American Spirit, I love it. How have you found it. It’s been really well received?

Fancy: I mean, it’s sweet. As an independent artist you spend time making music and you put it out not knowing where it will land, and how people will receive it. And I just feel like blessed beyond measure that we put it out and people have, you know, invited it into their lives through both small and big milestones. And coming to places like this and seeing people sing the words, that will never not feel magical to me. It’s just really sweet. And I saw you out there today singing. So thank you for singing with me.

Orla: Of course! Well, I was in the pit, I took a few photos and then I went out and I was with my mum, and we were dancing!

Fancy: Yes! And (your mum) was lovely by the way! What a queen! I met her yesterday. 

Orla: And I was with Mary, so she’s my mum’s best friend but she’s more like an auntie. 

Fancy: Yeah! 

Orla: And we loved it, we had a great time dancing. And I think your music is so personal. For me, especially when American Spirit came out I was listening to the songs and I was like, for me, I really can resonate with the lyrics of your songs. 

Fancy: Well, I’ll be honest. I was going through a really hard time personally when we were making American Spirit, when I was writing. I was going through like you know, a devastating experience… and I was like kind of hellbent on not letting this story be a sad one. I wanted it to be about resilience and revival. And coming back to myself. And choosing myself over all that over stuff. And it just… I feel like American Spirit more than anything was… therapy for me. Getting to make it and getting to put it out and the fact that it resonates with other people just lets me know I’m on the right path. And you know, I think sometimes when you just tell the truth, when you just say how you feel, you’d be shocked at how many other people are out there to raise their hand and say ‘’me too, I have felt this.’’

Orla: Exactly, and it’s like when you are singing out there, I feel the same. I’m like wow, I can really relate to this. Your music is just on such a personal level with so many people. I think a lot of your fans out there, they all feel the same way. And it’s just so nice to see. That’s another thing I love about country music… It’s just that community. And I can tell you really have that community, and it’s just so nice. And it must be the same when you are at home and you do gigs, and everybody is just so exited because they love your music and that must feel really incredible inside, like really incredible. 

Fancy: It’s a good feeling! (Both laughing)The alternative would feel really horrible! So I’m really glad that I get to feel really goof about this! (Both laughing) 

Orla: So do you have a favourite song off your new album? That you’ve written, or do you just love them all! 

Fancy: I do love them all, it’s a little bit like killing darlings. But I think Isn’t that life, really… it’s getting to sing that song, and like remember where I was when I wrote that, mentally and emotionally, and to know where I am at now. It’s just kind of really special. Really special. It’s just… proof that time heals everything, definitely, and life is so precious. So it’s so great to remember that life is a gift and I’m getting to live it. And even if the extension of that is pain… it’s just a reminder that you’re alive, and all of that. So I think Isn’t that life holds a really special place in my heart just because it’s such a daily reminder of gratitude and to be grateful for this life that I get to live, despite the amount of emotions and feelings and letdowns and win, it’s all just beautiful, you know? 

Orla: Of course.

Fancy: It feels bad in the moment, but… we’re all getting to experience this thing. And it’s really really special.

Orla: And it’s like holding onto that hope, and knowing that there are better things ahead. I guess, there is like that light at the end of the tunnel, which is inspiring.

Fancy: Well feelings are temporary, right? It’s like you can, you just have to let them be visitors. You know that grief that found me after that relationship was big, and occupied a lot of space and you know, it changed me. But you know I feel grateful that I got to experience that to learn about the capacity of love, to love someone, to be loved by someone. And that ended, and that’s sad. But it was a gift. And I’m not the same now, I’m different now. And that feels really positive. 

Orla: And I guess it shapes you, as well really. As a person, it changes the way you look at things in life. So I think that’s really awesome. I’d also just like to ask, what are your ambitions and goals for the end of the year? Do you have anything you really want to achieve or anything in the future?

Fancy: We’re doing some festivals, the Long Road’s a big one for me.

Orla: Massive!

Fancy: We are doing ACL in the States, which is a really big deal for me. And then my biggest goal is to just start album number three.

Orla: How exiting, have you already started? 

Fancy: I have, yes. We haven’t started recording anything but I’ve been writing a lot. 

Orla: Awesome.

Fancy: And I’m very exited about the tricks I have up my sleeve. 

Orla: We’ll look forward to it! When do you want that to be done by, or are you just taking it slow? 

Fancy: I’m thinking probably a spring release next year would be great, but my track record is I take my time

Orla: Fair enough! 

Fancy: Yeah, my track record is I’m always telling people when it’s going to come out and then like, you know, six months to a year later it comes out. 

Orla: I’m kind of the same like that! 

Fancy: The goal is to kind of, you know, take advantage of a lot of this momentum that American Spirit has brought to me. And I definitely know where I’m aiming with this next album, and I just hope it all comes together, right? 

Orla: Exactly, and it will. It’s going to be great and we can’t wait to hear it! 

Fancy: (both laughing) Right perfect, you’ve pumped me up now! That’s the main goal for the end of this year, to just really dig in and find that sonic thing that matches what i’ve been writing. 

Orla: Definitely. Well that’s awesome! Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it!

Fancy: Of course, thank you so much, thanks for having me! 

Fancy Hagood and Orla Gulla, the Long Road Festival, 23rd August. Photo credit Matt Lawrence.