Backstage with Foy Vance at Barn On The Farm 2015
Fresh from touring America with Ed Sheeran, the raw vocal you’ve heard on the latest Rudimental single ‘Never Let You Go’, belong to Northern Irish soul, Foy Vance. Since his debut album ‘Hope’ in 2007, Foy has a wealth of both heartbreaking and joyful material to bring to the stage.
We caught up with a chilled out Mr. Vance backstage in a cornfield at award-winning Barn on the Farm festival in Gloucestershire.
How would you describe Barn on the Farm to someone who’s never been here before?
I played Barn on the Farm a few years back. I like it. It’s not like other festivals where it’s the same folk playing the same stages, it’s pretty niche and unique. I just discovered Jake Isaac on the main stage, he sounded great. I’m looking forward to hanging around and hearing JP Cooper and The Staves later too.
Congratulations on ‘Let You Go’. What was it like working with Rudimental?
We were introduced through Ed Sheeran. They’re a good bunch of guys. The collaboration happened pretty fast, we sent a few tracks back and forth and came out with Let You Go. I’m really happy with it, it’s a good track.
You and Ed Sheeran are close. What was it like touring together?
Ed’s crowds are massive now. It’s kinda like playing at wrestle mania, it’s unbelievable. The crowd go mental. So I would say touring with Ed is mayhem. But in the best possible meaning of the word.
You’re about to hit the road with Elton John. Are you expecting anything different?
You know, the wee conductor that Ed is, always introducing folk to folk… He sent Elton some of my stuff and I got on the tour. The tour starts in December. It’s exciting, I’m expecting another good journey, it’s always an honour to play my music along folk like Elton and Ed.
Aside from touring, can we expect a new Foy Vance record?
Oh absolutely. I’m rearing to go with it. All the songs are there, I just need to get in the studio and record it. I recently hired an RV in Nashville and drove across country to LA, playing gigs along the way. I tried out new stuff there. I worry playing new music here in the UK, people are always on their mobile phones!
What made you document your writing and recording process for Joy of Nothing?
It was an idea from a friend of mine, Gregg Houston, he’s a filmmaker – we call him Babysweet. He’s a great guy to work with. As soon as he puts the camera on you don’t even know he’s there, he’s in the zone, like a fly on the wall.
What advice do you have for anyone trying to break into the music industry?
Don’t think of the industry. Make music you want to make. Do exactly what you want to do. And if it’s worth its salt, you become a little lamp to the musical moths – they come and help you. You can’t manufacture these things. You just gotta focus on making the music you want to make, play live, and see what happens.
