Leanne Mitchell showed off her musical talent when she won the first series of The Voice last year.
And now she is back with her self-titled debut album, which further shows off her vocal and songwriting talent.
We caught up with her to chat about her new record, her experience on The Voice and what lies ahead.
- You are about to release your debut album so what can fans expect from the record?
I have spent a good seven or eight months on the album as one of the main things that I wanted to do was write or co-write most of the album; which I have done.
I think it is probably quite diverse as I like to sing lots of different types of music, I write like that as well. I think there is someone for everyone as there is a lot of emotion in there and a lot to do with the lyrics as well as some punchier stuff.
- So often after being on a hit show we see the winner quickly put out a record but how important has it been to you to take your time putting this record together?
I don’t know if they do do it so quickly actually as, from what I can tell, most people take close to a year to do so. I didn’t want to rush anything and I didn’t want to rush anything out because I knew that it probably wouldn’t be right and it wouldn’t be good enough.
I wanted to write the album and that takes time because we write more than what actually makes the cut for the album. I just wanted to take my time to get it right and I feel really happy and proud of it now. Hopefully people will like it.
- You have written/co-written all of the tracks on the album as you say so have you always written songs or is it something that is quite new to you?
I have been writing songs since I was about eight years old and it is something that is very close to me and that I love to do.
When I first met the producer Brian Rawling he asked what kind of album that I wanted to me and I stressed that I didn’t want to make a covers album - I that was more expect of me. So I was adamant that I wanted to write this album.
I have always written as a hobby but now I got the chance to do it for this album. He introduced me to some new writing partners to co-write with; that was cool because I have only ever written on my own. I have had a really good time and I have really enjoyed it.
- You have mentioned Brian Rawling already, he is serving as producer, so how did that collaboration come about?
I was introduced to him through the label not long after I finished the show - I think it was around July last year. I was just introduced to him to see how we would get on, and he seemed really nice.
I have been really lucky because between him, my label and management they have let me be me really and let me use all of my creative energy. I haven’t been pushed to do anything that I am not happy with. I was really pleased to work with him.
- Have you had a hand in the production side of the record?
I guess in a way, I have definitely had a say in it all. We write the songs in a little room with a piano and then we put the track down and I put a vocal down.
Then the production does get played around with and we bat it back and forth really. I say what I like and then the guys I am writing with or the producer also have their say. So it is a very collaborative process.
- How have you found the response to the album so far?
So far I have been really pleased with it. We have only just started doing the promotion work over the last couple of weeks but it is going well.
Pride has been named Record of the Week at Radio 2 and that really kick started the promotion of the album. I am really pleased and I am really looking forward to everything hearing it and hearing what I have been up to.
- So where did you love of music start? Is this the career that you always saw yourself having?
I think so, I have never done anything else and I have never had any other job other than singing or to do with music.
When I was a little girl I was bought this little keyboard for Christmas off my dad and I started to pick it up quite quickly. For the next birthday I was bought a karaoke machine - at the end of the eighties it was this giant black box with a plastic microphone (laughs).
I just use to love it and by the time I was ten and over I would spend every waking hour in my bedroom playing and singing. It just carried on from there really.
By the time I was thirteen I began singing professionally and started doing all the pubs and hotels. It has just gone on from there and I have never done anything else. I think there was a bit of destiny in there (laughs).
- Bearing all of what you have just said in mind how great was it getting into the studio and recording your own music?
It has just been unbelievable and I have just had the most amazing time and it has been a whirlwind. I am now twenty nine and so I am not a teenager anymore.
But it is strange when you think you career is mapped out for you and then you just go for this one little audition and it completely flips your whole world upside down - in a good way. So to finally be doing this is something that you can’t even comprehending being able to do.
- We know you as the winner of the first series of The Voice to why did you decide to go on the show? How much was it the format of the show that appealed to you?
I think so; I have to admit that didn’t know too much about the show beforehand. A friend just text me one day saying ’look online at this new show that is coming, you have to go for it’ and I was like ’I don’t thing the TV stuff is me.’
But I did take a look at it and read the ethics behind it and the fact that you are initially solely judge on your voice. And I just thought ’I will give it a go then’.
I really enjoyed all of the auditions that you have to do before you get to the blinds but I didn’t think for one second that that would lead to this. So it has just been absolutely crazy.
You go into something like that not thinking about what could happen if you got this for, or that far or won it. It is still something that I find to get my head around (laughs).
- How would you sum up your experience on the series when you have time to look back on it now?
I just find it unbelievable and amazing - I got to duet with Tom Jones in the final. Everything I have got to do in the last year I still can’t quite believe it.
There is a saying ‘every person has a book in them’ well every singer has an album in them, and I have had my chance to do that. I am just so pleased that I have got such good people around me pushing this and backing me with this. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
- You came away as the winner but what were you able to take away from the series as an artist - even if it was just confidence?
Yes, confidence does play a part. I have been branded as quite a shy person but I wouldn’t say I am shy I am just not someone who is in your face. I wasn’t a precautious child or anything like that I just love doing what I do.
As for not necessarily thinking you are not good enough I probably did think like that; I probably always will even though I am told not to. You definitely take away some more self belief from a show like that and think ‘when I put my mind to it I can achieve’.
- Finally what is next for you - are there some live shows on the horizon?
I performed at Birmingham Pride at the weekend - it is quite apt as my song out at the moment is called Pride. I have also got some TV stuff coming up as well so watch this space.
Louise Mitchell’s self titled debut album is out now.
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