Chantel McGregor talks to rockgig.co.uk

Photo - Steve Howdle
We have been lucky enough to have a few words with Chantel McGregor, who is just about to start a UK tour and release her wonderful second CD: Lose Control, which we reviewed last month.

    RG) There was a gap of 4 years between your first CD: Like No Other and the follow up- Lose Control, was there a reason for this?
    CM) I had been on the road touring a lot during that period and this did not allow me the time or right environment to write the songs for an album. I had to set time aside to write the songs for Lose Control.


RG) Lose  Control has a bigger bolder rock sound. Was this a deliberate change, or did it just happen naturally?

CM) I've always been more focused on the rock sound, this comes through in my live shows, so it was something I was trying to achieve.  

RG) How did your interest in dark Southern Gothic material develop?

CM) It is something I've always been interested in, I love ghost stories and enjoy watching television programmes like True Detective and True Blood. 

RG) Lose Control has a great mixture of riff driven rock songs and beautiful acoustic numbers. Was it an easy job to get the ordering on the CD correct to present them in the best way? – Is that so important now in the era of downloading?

CM) The order of the tracks is important, for Lose Control I had the order in my mind from the moment I had written the songs. 

Photo - Steve Howdle

RG) To get maximum listening enjoyment we recommend that you play Lose Control  in the order on the CD 1 to 10. 

RG) How have the new songs translated into the live setting?

CM) They have gone down really well. The crowds are responsive and really up for it. 

RG) Who came up with the concept for the Take the Power video?


CM) I worked with a film company who came up with idea of the lady in the red dress, which was filmed in Edinburgh. I was then added as a "Gothic witch" blowing candles out. It was a lot of fun to do. 

RG) How did you get involved with the Guitar Star Programme on Sky Arts?


CM) I was contacted by TV company about appearing in the programme, originally I said no, but was contacted again and persuaded by my manager, at the time, to take part. I took part in the heats held in Wales and featured heavily in the opening credits and promotional trailers. I then found out that the second round clashed with some tour dates I already had arranged so I wasn't considered for putting through.
Photo - Steve Howdle
Rockgig.co.uk would like to thank Chantel McGregor for her time and we wish her every success with the new CD: Lose Control and her forth coming UK tour, the details are listed below.   
Halifax, Playhouse
Friday 9th October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £13.00
King Cross Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2SH

Southport, The Atkinson Blues Festival
Saturday 10th October 2015
Box Office: 01704 533333 / Tickets: £15.00
Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB

Doncaster, The Dome
Friday 16th October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £13.00
Doncaster Lakeside, Bawtry Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 7PD

Retford, The Elms
Saturday 17th October 2015
Box Office: 07737 130534 /Tickets: £12.50 adv / £15.00 Door
London Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7DX

Sheffield, Greystones
Wednesday 21st October 2015
Box Office: 0114 266 5599 / Tickets: £13.00
Greystones Road, Sheffield, S11 7BS

Edinburgh, The Caves
Thursday 22nd October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £13.00
8-12 Niddry Street South, Edinburgh, EH1 1NS

Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy
Friday 23rd October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £13.00
421 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LG

Carlisle, The Venue
Saturday 24th October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £13.00
English Gate Plaza, Carlisle, CA1 1RP

Salisbury, Arts Centre
Monday 26th October 2015
Box Office: 01722 321744 / Tickets: £15.50 adv / £18 door
Bedwin Street, Salisbury, SP1 3UT

Exeter, Phoenix
Tuesday 27th October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £14.00
Gandy St, Exeter, Devon EX4 3LS

Bridport Arts Centre
Wednesday 28th October 2015
Box Office: 01308 427183 / Tickets: TBA
South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NR

Brighton, Komedia
Thursday 29th October 2015
Box Office: 0845 293 8480 / Tickets: £14.00
44-47 Gardner Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1UN

Lincoln, Engine Shed
Saturday 31st October 2015
Box Office: 01472 349222 / Tickets: £13.00
University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS

Ripley, Town Hall
Saturday 12th December 2015
Tickets: £15.00
Ripley Town Hall, Ripley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3AX

Newcastle, The Cluny
Sunday 13th December 2015
Box Office: 0191 230 4474
Tickets: £13.00
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ

Morecambe, The Platform
Monday 14th December 2015
Box Office:  01472 349222
Tickets: £13.00
Old Station Buildings, Marine Rd W, Morecambe LA4 4DB

Leeds, The Brudenell
Tuesday 15th December 2015
Box Office: 0113 245 5570
Tickets: £13.00
33 Queens Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1NY

Bristol, The Tunnels
Wednesday 16th December 2015
Box Office: 0845 6050255
Tickets: £12.00
Arches 31 & 32, Bristol & Exeter Mews, Lower Station Approach Road,
Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QF

Derby, The Flowerpot
Thursday 17th December 2015
Box Office:  01332 834438
Tickets: £13.00
25, King Street, Derby, DE1 3DZ
Thanks to Peter Noble for arranging the interview.
NH

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