Darcy Louch

Who is Darcy Louch? Where are you from, how long have you been playing music?

I am a 25-year-old SEN teacher (by day!) from Hertfordshire / London. I have always loved singing, and took part in school performances when I joined my secondary school, which was a specialist performing arts school. I can remember singing along to CDs in my Walkman; and had a few karaoke machines that I used to play around with at home. When I was in my teens, I used to go into our spare room to ‘do some singing’ and would burn CDs with new songs to practice – with my Mum sitting on the stairs outside because I wouldn’t let her come in and listen!! Honestly, I kind of always knew I could sing well, but never really thought I could do anything with my voice, until I was slightly older and people would react in shock to my voice…plus my husband hassling me to pursue music has finally pushed me to start performing!! I had my first London gig in October 2021, and have since played three venues and four gigs – with two more upcoming! So it’s been a bit of a whirlwind start!

If you had to describe your sound using just five words, what would they be?

Unique, powerful, soulful, surprising and passionate! 

Who are your biggest influences musically?

I have always loved Amy Winehouse (I remember burning ‘Back to Black’ onto a CD from iTunes!!) and Adele. I also love the old-school soul icons like Etta James, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington, as well as the Motown favourites such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross (my father-in-law would be very upset if I missed him out!). But then, I might really love a pop song or rock song…so it’s a tough question for me! I hope that rambling journey of an answer gave you some insight!!

What’s your songwriting process?

I am quite new to song-writing…I used to play around writing songs when I was younger, but have recently started writing my own music and honestly my process is a bit haphazard! If I think too hard about trying to finish a verse or add another line, it becomes difficult for me to write something I am really happy with. The best way for me is when an idea just comes to me, and I scribble it down. Usually, I write lyrics before melodies too. Unfortunately, I don’t play an instrument, so most of my writing comes from my voice and a mishmash of ideas about instrumentation that I try to explain (badly) using my voice!

When you were younger, what was the first album that blew you away and you remember putting on repeat non-stop?

I was a bit of a pop-princess when I was really young…carry on reading to find out my guilty pleasure artist that stems from my early childhood! I remember playing Britney Spears album quite a bit when I was about 5/6…but the first album that I remember really loving and wearing the CD out on was Amy Winehouse – ‘Back to Black’. I used to sing along to it all the time, and even dressed up as Amy for a school ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ show (beehive wig and all). It probably did shape my voice quite a bit in terms of tone and the quality of my voice.

As a performer, what’s your biggest claim to fame so far?

I am really proud of myself for singing at Open Mic nights in America when on a 6-week trip with my husband a few years ago. I sang with live musicians in Las Vegas and Miami, and really remember those as special moments in my performing ‘career’. 

If you could go on tour with any current band or artist, who would it be and why?

I would absolutely love to go on tour with Teddy Swims. He is a new artist that I discovered in the past couple of years, and he gained publicity with his amazing covers on YouTube. I just love that he is completely himself, and seems really down to Earth and laid back. Plus, he has similar influences to me (soul, R&B, Motown) so it would just be incredible to be able to work with him!

If you could put your dream team band together consisting of any musicians from the past or present who would the band members be?

I would love to recreate the ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ performance with Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston. It’s just so iconic to me, and to be part of that would be incredible (watch it here — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2WQksCSWI).

How would you describe your live show to someone who has never seen you perform before?

I’m generally quite a shy person, but tend to come out of myself on stage…I don’t really think before I say things, so you’re sure to hear a terrible joke or two. You never really know what you might find in my setlist, but there’s usually a power ballad (or two) and a mixture of quite a few genres of music – not always played in their usual arrangement. I’m quite silly on stage, so my gigs are always light-hearted and (hopefully) fun! 

Do any of you have any pre-gig or post gig rituals? If so, what and why?

Not really…I’ve been working on my pre-gig nerves and have been really gaining confidence recently. I used to be SO nervous and get really stressed leading up to a gig, but now I am enjoying feeling more excited!

What would your ultimate rider be if you could have anything without being accused of being a diva?

Definitely private jet…unlimited holidays?! Yes please!!

If we were to browse your music library what is the most embarrassing song we might find? Or who is your guilty pleasure artist?

S-Club 7….need I go on???

Tell us one thing your fans would be really shocked or surprised to hear or learn about you

I am really interested in research into all things disability and special education…I’m part-way through a Masters degree in Severe Learning Disabilities, which maybe doesn’t fit the profile of singer-songwriter!

If people want to check you out online, where is the best place to go?

I have a website where you can find my gig dates, links to tickets and some videos of performances (https://darcylouch.bandzoogle.com/home). Otherwise, my Instagram has pretty much the same information at the link in my bio (@DarcyLouch). 

Finally, What does the future hold for you as an artist?

I find it difficult to be really confident in where I’m going as an artist, because everything is so new and because I struggle with my self-confidence. Hopefully, I will be performing regularly and sharing my own music…maybe even an EP by the end of the year!