From St. Louis to Nashville — and now across the Atlantic, Molly Lovette has brought her music to country fans around the UK.
Following the release of her self-titled debut album in April, we caught up with Molly during her UK trip to talk British train announcements, the difference between UK and US country crowds, chasing a dream far from home — and the venue sitting firmly at the top of her bucket list.
You’ve been travelling all around the UK. What would you say is the most British thing that’s happened to you so far?
“I don’t know if this is the most British thing, but my friend Hayley and I keep talking in a British accent! Every time we’re on the trains they say, ‘See it, say it, sorted,’ and we just cannot stop repeating it. Everywhere we go we’re like, ‘See it, say it, sorted!’”
What’s the one thing you’ve discovered in the UK that you wish you could take back home with you?
“Honestly, the transportation. I think it’s so cool now that I’m used to it! It was very stressful when I first got here, figuring out trains and tubes, but we really don’t have anything like it back in the States. New York does, but not even close to what it is here. I think it’s so cool.”
You’ve talked about walking into bars here in the UK that remind you of the US. Did you expect us to have so many places like this?
“Honestly, no! I’m not sure what exactly I pictured, but everything is so authentic. Walking into rodeos, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m in Nashville right now.’ It’s so cool.”
Where’s somewhere you haven’t played that’s right at the top of your bucket list?
“Actually, back in the States, it’s a dream of mine to play Red Rocks in Colorado — the big amphitheatre. It’s gorgeous! I’ve never been to a show there either, so I want to go to a show and then I want to play a show!”
Have you noticed any differences between UK country crowds and the crowds you have back home?
“Yes — you guys are better sometimes! I love my American people too, but I think because there’s just not as much access to live country music here, at every show people have been really listening and paying attention and wanting to hear my original music.
“I think back in Nashville it’s just cover song, cover song, and so I’ve really appreciated people here just wanting to listen to the music.”
You released your self-titled debut album in April. Has the reaction to any particular song surprised you?
“Yes. Honestly, there are two songs. ‘Growing Up Wrong’ was one that I didn’t make a single. I just kind of thought, it’s a very personal song, and so I put it on there. I get messages about it on Instagram and Facebook, just thanking me for releasing a song that kind of describes how someone else is feeling.
“Then I’ll say the other one is ‘You Could Say That,’ which also wasn’t a single. I just thought that’s a fun one, I’ll throw it on there. That’s one of the highest-streamed songs. It’s really cool to see the songs I love and the songs that people are really drawn to.”
Out of all the songs on the album, which one means the most to you personally?
“I think the outro of the album. It’s called ‘Giving Up’ and it was a song that I wrote by myself in Nashville.
“Co-writing is such a big thing, you go down Music Row and you write songs with your friends. But ‘Giving Up’ was a song that I wrote alone, sitting and crying on my bed, just having a tough time.
“It’s hard to live far away from your family, and chasing a dream can be so lonely at times. I just kind of let that song pour out of me, and it means a lot.”
I read your story about playing basketball and suffering the injury that ultimately helped lead you towards music. Do you think that experience changed the way you see opportunities in your life now?
“I do. I think I’m such a Type A person at times and I want to be in control, and that was something that kind of showed me that God’s got me. I can kind of just let go, and whatever is meant to happen is going to happen.
“It might happen in a weird way, like that kind of did, but I think it made my faith stronger.”
What’s the one song you absolutely cannot resist singing when it comes on the radio?
“I’m going to go with anything Shania Twain!”
What’s next for you? Are you planning on coming back to the UK?
“I have nothing set in stone, but I would love to come back to the UK. I’m hopeful that next year maybe we’ll do another festival and another little mini tour.
“Next for me, I’m actually heading back into the studio when I get back to Nashville in a couple of weeks, so — new music!”
What does home mean to you?
“Home to me is my people. I think I’ve learned that since moving from St. Louis to Nashville — you can kind of create your own home wherever you are.
“To me, home is my family and my boyfriend and my best friends, music — the things that are important to me.”
