Lucy Wainwright Roche is the latest of the Wainwright/Roche dynasty to join the family business. She is the daughter of Suzzy Roche (one third of the Roches) and Loudon Wainwright and her half-siblings are Martha & Rufus Wainwright. No pressure then! Initially trained as a teacher, Lucy has come relatively late to music. However, she has quickly established as a singer and song writer of major significance.

What music inspired you to start singing and playing guitar?

Well, as a teenager I loved music but I really wasn't that interested in doing it for a living since so many people in my family were doing it.  I decided to rebel a little bit and become a teacher.  It wasn't till I was about 21 that I started to really miss being in the world of music.  That was was drew me back to the family business.

Tell us about your song writing process. How do you go about writing your songs?

Songwriting is still very mysterious to me.  I'm not exactly sure how it happens.  Sometimes I start with an idea, sometimes I just sit down with the guitar and something pops into my head.  Some songs are written, fully-formed in a matter of minutes and some take months and months.  It's a little bit like fishing.  You go down to the river and you never know what you're going to get.

You grew up in a very musical family to say the least! How did they all react when you decided to pursue a career in teaching?

They were very supportive of my teaching career - although it did make me the odd one out!

Are there any aspects of the skills you gained as a teacher that you have been able to incorporate into interaction with a live audience?

I think the key to being a good teacher and the key to being a good performer is really the same.  It's just about communication.  Good storytelling and connecting with a group of people.   The two jobs have a lot in common and I think that my experience with performing in the last couple of years would make me a better teacher than I was at the start.

What can we expect from your performance at the Toucan Club in March?

In March I will be in Wales with myself and my guitar.  I'll be singing songs from my new CD as well as some songs from my older recordings.  My friend Rebecca Pronsky (also from NYC) will be with me as support and so we will probably do some songs together and sing in harmony.

What are the best and worst aspects about being on the road?

The best aspects are meeting the fans and seeing the cities and towns and landscapes that are not what you see everyday.  There is something very soulful about that.  The hardest part is being away from home and being constantly in flux from day to day as you change locations.

You are a fan of Eminem and have been rumoured to be planning a cover version. Can we expect to hear your take on Marshall Mathers when you appear in Cardiff?

Well... I am a huge fan of his.  I'm not sure I'll have dusted off my Eminem cover in time for this tour, but you never know!  I have a lot of driving to do on the UK tour and Cardiff is the last stop.  Perhaps I'll sort out a song of his in the car. 

What plans have you got for 2010? New album? Gigs? Festivals?

My new album is coming out in March 2010.  I will have copies with me in Cardiff.   The rest of the year I will be touring to support the album!

If there was ever a biopic of your family who would you like to see playing the following parts? You, Loudon Wainwright, Suzzy Roche, Rufus Wainwright & Martha Wainwright

Hmmmm, well, the truth is, all of the above are actors themselves EXCEPT for me.  SO I would say that my parents and Rufus and Martha could play themselves in a film.  I on the other hand, would need a stand in.  I'll have to think about who that should be!

Links

http://www.myspace.com/lwrlwr

Discography

8 Songs

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Live at Lime