Hello and welcome to Future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte, on Women's Radio Station, the program where we search for the most amazing new female artists on the classical panorama. Today I am very pleased to welcome back the finalists of our first and second edition of Future Classic Women Awards, the wonderful classical crossover soprano Lucy Kay. Hello, Lucy. Hi. Hello, thank you for having me. You're welcome. I'm so pleased. The last time we talked, it was during the first lockdown, and we did something together, and that was so crazy and remote and everything. And, uh, but we're still in remote with the radio, although things are reopening finally. So where are you now, Lucy? I'm currently, uh, in a place called Norway. Um, I moved here in the, um, halfway through the pandemic, and, uh, well, it was— I think it was July time, actually. When we'd all kind of— it started in March. So then I kind of was like, I met someone on a ship that I was working on, and we only met for 3 days, and so that— but we knew we were on to something a little bit special. So then I was sent back home on the 13th of March, and then when things started to gradually open up again, because obviously we went through this yo-yo kind of motion of things opening up and then closing again, I took the first chance that I could to get back over to Norway because we'd spoke the entire summer. So, um, yeah, so, and then I, I went— we went to his cabin and it was just incredible, the views and just how beautiful it was. So I never came back. Well, this is amazing. Can I ask if he's a musician as well, or— No, he's not actually. He's a chef. A chef on the ship. Yeah, so he works in fine dining, which is absolutely fine with me because now I don't have to cook at home. This is brilliant. Well, you know, I think, uh, chef, uh, the art of, uh, cooking is really like for us being musicians. They, they need to use so much, um, fantasy, elegance, imagination. And then it— I mean, I watch MasterChef. I'm a big fan of MasterChef, and I get my, my, my water, you know, watering my mouth, watering my— just by hearing them describe what they're— I can't think about living with someone that can cook those things. I know, it's amazing. I do feel very lucky. Wow. And also, I've seen, uh, you know, I follow you on Instagram, and I've seen some incredible pictures of the sky and the snow. And how is Norway? I mean, It's very different from the UK, isn't it? It is very different. It took a lot of time to get used to. Um, I do love it here, but I do miss the UK. I think what I love about Norway is the, there's so much scenery. There is so much, uh, wild. And we go, uh, camping, hiking, uh, canoeing, skiing, everything, because it's, it's here. You literally, if you live in the city centre, you could just get onto the train or the metro for literally, I don't know, 20 minutes and you're there in the countryside. So, so you have that, but I've now, since I lived in Oslo for a year, but now I've moved to a place called Hønefoss, which is 2 hours outside of Oslo and it's in the mountains. So I live on a mountain in a big farmhouse at the moment. So. It is lovely, but it's very cold out here. So, I mean, how is that lockdown? How was it? Did you have any lockdown really when you were in Norway? It was kind of like, like I said, it was like a yo-yo. It did. When Britain opened up, Norway closed. When Britain closed, Norway opened. It's kind of been, yeah, it's been like that, but we've had a little bit more freedom over here up until now. I mean, we're starting to open up now, but since the the second variant that we had, uh, that really hit Europe hard. And I actually got, uh, COVID a couple of weeks ago. And, um, I mean, thank goodness I had my vaccinations because I really didn't deal with it that well. It wasn't great, but yeah, um, I mean, it was the fever. I really hate that and everything, but it was kind of, uh, just Feeling— I still feel now the aftereffects. I still feel that even with my singing, I'm still struggling a bit. So I, I've got to keep working on my voice at the moment because trying to get that breath control back is very difficult. Uh, so I've just felt like someone or something has been sat on my chest for quite a while. Wow. Well, I have, I have other friends, um, that they were on the program as well, but, um, that happened before they came on the program. And they did get— catch COVID as well. But I'm pleased to say that they managed to go back and sing a full concert with the orchestra. So you will be back in shape. Yeah, it's just annoying, isn't it? That's the only thing for me. It's just— yeah, you have to kind of like, uh, get back into the swing of things. And, uh, and it's just— yeah, you, you notice little things like, oh, I could have taken that line through a lot longer than what I'm doing now. But it's all building up stamina again. But, but, you know, it didn't last that long. It— for me, the actual— the illness itself lasted 3 days, and then I had a negative result. But then it was just, you know, uh, still felt like I was full of a cold, full of a chesty cough kind of thing. Yeah. But now that's kind of going, so it's— yeah, so it's fine. But I know that my partner, he had it— he had, uh, the fever for 3 days, so he suffered with it a little bit worse than I did. So But, um, did you lose the smell and the taste? I lost the smell, yeah, and that took a while to come back. The taste was okay, it was there, but it wasn't, it wasn't as fully— but then, because I obviously it's connected, so— but the smell, no, it was, uh, it was quite fun. It was, it made me paranoid actually because I was spraying perfume but I couldn't smell, and I was like, oh my gosh, I hate going out, and if, if I'm not smelling great, you know, who knows. Absolutely. I know that very well. Well, you know, I had a dinner with a friend who had COVID and I think she got the Delta, but so I think I had it too, but I didn't, I didn't lose any smell or taste, but I got the cough that kept, keeps going. That's the problem. So there is this tiny, it's a tiny cough, it's just an annoying cough. Yeah. For example, speaking at the radio and even playing the piano. Still, you know, you can't be playing a long line of Chopin and then suddenly in the middle— doesn't work like that. Like when you're playing a concert and someone is coughing in the audience. Yes, it's not nice when that happened, but it's worse when it happened to you and you're on stage. Absolutely. Talking of which, are you gonna go on stage soon? Well, I was meant to be going on tour with, uh, it was called an Andrew Lloyd Webber Gala Concert Tour here in Scandinavia. And, uh, and so, but that was supposed to happen on the 26th of December all the way until, uh, the end of— well, middle of March. But because of this new variant, it— everything was different. Places like Norway and Germany were closing down, and people were making— you know, the government was saying no theaters, and some were at a small capacity, but it's not enough to keep the shows on. So in the end, uh, I think we were trying to take it from Denmark to see if we could do a certain amount of concerts there, but they, they closed down. So, so we've had to put that on the back burner. I think that will happen this year around December going into next year. Um, but I have got a Canadian tour from the 22nd of, uh, March, and that is a, a solo. I think it's about 5 dates unless we've added any more, I'm not sure. Um, and it's called Unforgettable, and we are doing an evening of classical music crossover, a little bit of pop in there as well, just showing The Versatile Side of Voice, giving each audience member something that they might enjoy. So yes, I'm going to Vancouver, so that will be fun. That is cold as well. Yeah, because what we had to, um, we had to postpone that from last year as well. So these things are just because of COVID you know, uh, they're taking a lot longer to— so hopefully nothing will happen in the meantime and we can still continue. I'm sure we'll be fine now because it looks like we're getting getting through the worst of it. Well, yes, I mean, well, before we go on, I'd like to listen to the first track of today, and then we're gonna talk extensively about it. So first, let's listen to it. It's from your latest album and it's called Creep. Your skin makes me cry. You float like a feather in a beautiful world. I wish I was special. You're so very special. But I'm a creep. I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here. I don't care if it hurts. I wanna have control. Want a perfect body, want a perfect soul. I want you to know this, when I'm not around, you're so very special. I wish I was Special, but I'm a creep. I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here. Ah! Whatever makes you happy. Whatever you want. You're so very special. I wish I was special. But I'm a creep. I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here. I don't belong here. So beautiful. This was Creep from the second album by Lucy Kay, um, Dark Angel, and that came out in November 2021. So how was it? How— when did you record it? I mean, did you record it in lockdown? You recorded before? How was the process? It was, uh, well, it would be 3 years ago now. We actually recorded it. Yeah, because we started it very early and we wanted to take our time with this, and it was actually meant to come out as soon as the, uh pandemic hit, that's when we were bringing it out. And I, I just thought, okay, we don't know how long this is going to last, let's hold off. And then the longer we held off, the, the longer COVID kind of went on for and the lockdowns and everything. And I just said, you know, I want to wait until things are opened up. And, and, uh, but the thing was, things were on— haven't been opening up properly, they keep closing and everything. So we just went for it, we said, let's just do it. Because we don't know how long this pandemic is going to go on for. So November, we thought, you know, the nature of the album, you know, it's very, uh, the orchestra is so beautiful, and I just thought, you know, it could be like a nice Christmas present for people as well, you know, to buy. So, um, yeah, so we just, we, there was, it was planned to come out, um, in 2020. That never happened. So we decided, right, we'll just go for it in November last year, and Yeah, it's got— it has had a brilliant response, especially to Creep. That has, uh, that has surpassed a lot of streams that I ever imagined it would do. So, um, yes, that's been one of the public's favorite, actually. So, and mine. So, you know, I'm very, very happy about that one. Ah, beautiful. Now tell us a little bit, I mean, about the concept of the album. First of all, I love the pictures, the COVID and everything, and, um, it's beautiful, this idea. I think I read is you finding the beauty inside the darkness. It's a bit what we were all looking for during the lockdown as well, the pandemic. It was, uh, quite depressive for a lot of people, unfortunately. And, um, and of course it was the drama as well of not knowing how to beat this illness. And thanks to medicine, hopefully we're out of it with the vaccination. But what I mean, it's incredible you were working on this before this ever happened. So, yes, well, I always wanted to do, uh, you know, obviously I grew up singing choral music and then I went to opera school and, uh, and then obviously I went on to Britain's Got Talent, which changed over to more crossover style. And, uh, you know, I've always been one to try and experiment with different things. I love all types of music, uh, and I just think, you know, if you've got the voice that can be so versatile versatile, then use it. And, and I've always been interested in experimenting with, with different styles of music. And so this— the concept for this album Dark Angel is to show that there is beauty in darkness. And, you know, uh, that we can take these, uh, rock covers and pop covers that are, you know, quite mainstream and turn them on the head, give them a really cinematic big soundtrack to them that you could, you know, imagine them in films and things like that. And, you know, that That's what I wanted to do, just turn songs on their head and give them a really beautiful classical feel, but still keeping the nature of the original song. And so I am quite proud of the album. I feel like it turned out probably better than I expected. Robin Hoffman was incredible. He was the producer and the arranger of the album, and he took it to a whole new level I didn't think was possible. You know, I had the ideas, but I needed someone to put that down on paper. And boy, was he the man for the job. He really excelled in, in, in that. So I'm forever grateful for him because he also had ideas that we both bounced off each other. So it was a partnership made in heaven, really, for, for us. So, uh, yeah, something I'm very, very proud of. And I mean, the orchestra is phenomenal. What did— where did you record the album? So, uh, I recorded, uh, so we had the option to record live with the orchestra But I know that I will— I, I like to stop and start because if I'm not happy with something, so I will want to go back and make sure it's the best version of it. I'd love to do a live album, but I, uh, I think I'm too finicky about things that, um, that for this time I wanted to do in the studio. So I did it Victoria Studios in Berlin, and that's where Robin is from, and that was, uh, and, uh, Nico was the sound engineer, and it fantastic to just really spend a lot of time there. We spent a week going over these songs. And then the orchestra was the Philharmonic Orchestra from Prague, and they recorded this, and we filmed that as well in the Dvořák Hall in Prague. Amazing. Just stunning. So, uh, yeah, and we had the choir as well there, so it was— oh, it's phenomenal. Yeah, beautiful. Are you gonna perform the album, uh, like live? Yes, we're working on some dates. Um, nothing is set in stone yet, but we're— that's what we're hoping to do. But I need to— obviously, we— I need to work with an orchestra for this. It's not the same just doing it by playback. Uh, I think for these songs you really need, uh, because it has quite a theatrical vibe to it as well. Yes, it needs something, and it can't just be you singing on stage with, with just a playback. We need the orchestra. So, uh, yes, there will be future concerts for this. We're still working on them now, uh, due to obviously the pandemic and everything. It's still an unsettled time. So, uh, but as soon as I know, I'll let you know when these dates are. So please, absolutely. And before, we would like to hear you in the UK. Are you planning to come to the UK? So actually, so I am moving back to the UK. I love it here. I do have my residency here. So the thing is, we have a cabin here. I will still come back for winters. Um, the thing is, the UK is where, uh, the music is, where all the auditions are, you know, in London. And, uh, and it's been a nice breakout here for the pandemic. It has let me have time to reset myself and work out what, what things are for me, and also giving myself time to— because I'm kind of like a yes person. I will always say yes, and I never want to, uh, I don't know if you're like this, you're probably not, but I've always gone through things saying yes, and really it's not in my best interest to do so, but I don't like letting people down, and I, and I just try and take every opportunity. But I need— I've kind of learned over this last 2 years that it's actually good to know where I want to go, what I want to do, and what musicals, what music and concerts and things are best for me and what is not. And, uh, so we are going to be moving back. Dan's going to be moving with me, so he's never been to the UK, so, uh, so we're going to do that for a while, but then I'm sure we will move around because we're quite— we're quite like that. We love to, to move and, and visit different places. But for now, uh, you know, I think as a musician, as I'm 33 this year I need to really try to make the most of the next, uh, years until I'm 40 to really try and get, uh, more music and concerts and shows in, and then, uh, yeah, go from there. So yeah, well, I think it's a wonderful plan. Yes, I mean, I hope it goes to plan. So I remember when I turned 33, you know, there is this, uh, big like saying that 33 was the year of Jesus Christ, and somehow it's really connected. It's a crazy number, I don't know why, but 33 is a double 3, it's beautiful. It's gonna be a fantastic year for you, I'm sure. And you know, with such a wonderful album out right now, I'm sure plenty of things will come your way, and hopefully you will say yes to the right things. Yeah, yeah, that's the problem. I think that's it, the most important thing from having this rest. As awful as this pandemic has been, the best thing for me and the outcome for me is to have time to reset and really think about where I need to go, what I want to do, and not just being a people pleaser and saying yes when really I know that certain roles and things aren't for me. You know, so yeah, it's nice. It's a reset. So hopefully I can go into this year feeling a lot more stronger, a lot more independent, and, and say yes to the right things. Absolutely. Well, the next song we're gonna listen to is from your album, so Dark Angel, and it's called Benedictus. Now I wanted to ask you, how did you— so this is probably a more classical track, um, of the album. So it's a mix of covers and classical and then cross Søver, isn't it? Yes. Yeah, I wanted to include— for obviously I have, uh, the original fan base that know me from my Fantasia album, which is all like an A to Z of opera and classical music. So I wanted to give them something as well that, uh, that still stays true to what I started off singing. Um, and I, I absolutely love Benedictus and Carl Jenkins who wrote this piece was— it's just incredible. And with the call and response from the choir and the instruments as well, and then the solo line, I just thought it was a magnificent piece to put on the album. Let's listen then. Benedictus, sung by Lucy Kay from her latest album Dark Angel. And this was the beautiful Benedictus by Carl Jenkins, sung by Lucy Kay from her latest album Dark Angel. Lucy, did you decide the pieces in your album, or were you helped by Robert, you said? No, actually, this was unlike my first album that I was with Sony Classical, so this is completely independent with two sponsors that I'm very grateful for who enabled me to put this album out. I wanted to do something that I could choose choose the music too. When you're with a label, as fantastic as that is, and it is amazing to have, uh, have such support of a label, so songs are very rarely chosen by yourself. Um, you have a team and they go, they look at the analytics and see what songs, uh, sell the most. But this, I just thought, I want to showcase different things that people may not have heard before just, and take a chance. Because if this is my last album, then, then I am so happy with the way that, uh, that it's been produced and arranged and the songs that we chose. So I came together with Robin and I sent him a set list of, I think there must have been about 25 songs, and we, um, and we decided, uh, he had, and he sent some songs as well and we connected on so many songs exactly the same. So he had the same ideas as I did. So basically, um, I— it was all chosen by myself. The two sponsors, uh, I, I asked them if there's a song that you would like on the album, I'd love to honor that. And so there are two. There's one we're going to be playing, uh, later, which is, uh, one of the sponsors, Geoff Newton, one of his favorite songs, and we decided to put that one on. And Benedictus was actually Rod Langerby's Wears, uh, Choice, uh, Benedictus. So, uh, yeah, it's, uh, really, it's, um, and they're all songs that I loved. So yeah, it was very much chosen by myself and, uh, just, yeah, it was just wonderful to be able to have that creative, uh, you know, yeah, line to do so. So, well, you know, I, I asked you because there is something we've been doing lately with the BPI, the British Phonographic Industry. Um, I'm gonna be tomorrow for Brit Awards because I sit in the council. And so there is, um, has been launched now 3 years ago maybe, um, the National Album Day. And it's something to make the awareness into the big public, big audience about the importance of an album for an artist. Because thanks to Spotify and the streaming, there is so much about about hearing single tracks, about shuffling between different artists or different songs. And there is a specific idea behind the full album and why the pieces are in a certain order as well. And so, um, you know, an album is sort of a journey, isn't it, um, that you wanted to create, and from the beginning till the end. So something that you are meant to hear, from the beginning to the end, not shuffling. What do you think? Yeah, and that is kind of what we did with this album as well. I wanted to take the listener on a journey through all the emotions they could possibly feel. So there is, you know, we start off, you know, it's just so emotional, some pieces, and then some pieces it really gets your heart rate going. So we kind of go on a roller coaster with this album, uh, which is, is wonderful because it's, you know, it's not just a straight lineup. We we go high and then we dip to some kind of softer ones into the classical selection, and then we go back to changing to the crossover style. And, uh, but they all connect very, very well, I think, uh, with, uh, the, the orchestra. So I kind of, I feel that this, it's not, uh, disjointed, uh, that we have the classical crossover and then into the classical. It kind of pieces together really well. Um, and, uh, Obviously that was, uh, sought after by, um, Robin, who said, yes, I feel that this one should be there and that. And then we agreed on a lot of that. So yeah, it is, it's a musical journey, a roller coaster of emotions, uh, and then we end on a big high. Wonderful. Now, do you have a favorite song in the album? Yes. Oh gosh, I do. I, I do. I love Creep because it shows the different timbres of the voice, but it also shows the kind of vulnerability of the words and the voice. Because the most remarkable thing was that Robin, not only did he produce and arrange this, he spoke to me about these songs in depth. And when we were recording, he said, "Lucy, I want you to try something here." He said, "Can you come off the voice a little bit more?" Because being classically trained, you kind of want to sing all the lines through. And with Creep, there are certain lines and words that I sing that are very vulnerable that match the words. So it's word painting. And it's, uh, and yeah, and we got the most incredible take from that, which is, uh, obviously on the album now. And, and it was so different to how I started recording it for the first few takes. And so, uh, he, you know, it was so nice to have him listen to it and then and say, oh, actually, just come off the voice here. I want to hear that vulnerable, nervous side in your voice. And I was just worried it would come across like I, I don't know, wasn't able to fulfill that line through properly. But when I listened to it back, no, it was, it was, it was so the artistic control there that he, you know, then the ideas that he gave me then rubbed off on me and for the rest of the album. So Creep is my favorite because it shows, uh, the diverse side of my voice. Also the, you know, the big notes, the, the kind of poppy rock tones and then the nervousness. Yeah, so that is my favorite. Very good. That is the first one that we heard today. Now, everything is available on Spotify, iTunes, and so we definitely recommend the audience to go and get the album, the full album, so they can go through this wonderful journey. Now, I'd like to ask you, what's, you know, the favorite place where you sang, where you performed? Oh gosh, I mean, there's been so many, but I think, uh, the Royal Albert Hall was one of my favorite places that I performed because I'd— I had performed there a couple of times as a young girl in the choir Cantamus based in Mansfield. And, uh, we, we sang— I mean, we sang all over the world, but that place was iconic for me. And I always, uh, I remember the director of the choir said, you will be singing here as a soloist one day, and when you do, I'll have front row kids. And I thought, oh, that would be a dream. Uh, unfortunately she passed away while I was in university, uh, while I was at music college. And, um, and so she never got to see the heights that I got to before I obviously graduated. So, um, so when I, when I was booked to sing there for, I think it was the Songs of Praise, uh, big sing on New Year's Eve, uh, I— it was just incredible. And I sang, uh, that for my song for her because she was the one that always said me, you will do this. And she probably had more faith in me than I did. So, uh, yeah, that one— well, what— that's when I felt like I made it. I did, I did her proud then. Absolutely. And what was the warmest audience that, that, you know, uh, welcomed you, your performance on stage? Oh God, if you can say that. Yeah, I mean, so many, um, But I did, I think I did, if I remember correctly, I did a Lucy Kay show in, I think this was way before, oh no, it was before, it was after I did the Joseph tour. And we just put on a night in Derby and it was, the audience laughed along with me. I felt like I could talk to them, like I was just sat in my living room having a cup of tea with them. Uh, people were talking out to me, and, and oh my gosh, it was just— I love those kinds of audiences where people feel free to sometimes even sing along. You know, I was singing Can't Help Falling in Love, and people would sing along to that song, and it was so nice. Um, and I don't know if some artists find that put off, but for me, I love it because I just feel, yes, they're engaged, they love they're joining in, they feel comfortable. So yeah, that, that was one of, one of the warmest that I've had. I do get quite a lot of, um, but I think that's my nature is I like to talk a lot, so, so they kind of feel like they are just talking to a friend. So, uh, yes, yes, wonderful. Well, what was the, instead, the most scary audience you performed for? Not scary in the sense, you know what I mean, that made make you, um, I don't know, it agitates you somehow. Oh, I've been to the point of like absolutely terrified. And because I do get performance anxiety, I am prone to that. And I don't know how to, uh, like, I know singing is a passion, I love it, and that's what I've chosen to do, but I still get a very, uh, yeah, the performance anxiety until I've probably got through the first couple of notes or the first song is, you know, it's very evident. But that was when I performed with Andrea Bocelli at the O2 Arena in London. Um, and, uh, yeah, it's enormous, the O2 Arena. That's the problem, it's too big. Also because I was singing with him, and what happened was we don't get rehearsals up until the actual day, and, uh, they just, they didn't have time to rehearse all the songs. Oh wow. And, uh, yeah, so they said, you know, uh, and I said, oh, but I've had to learn two parts here because, um, they were unsure which one I was meant to be doing. So they said, oh, we'll do that rehearsal. So then I went to go and they did, and they said, if we're not doing— if we don't rehearse any of the songs, uh, for the, for this, for the O2, uh, they said, uh, then it won't be on in the evening. But, um, Oh wow. Uh, it was on, the song that we didn't rehearse was on, and I had learned two parts for it because, uh, he was going to tell me which one he was going to be doing or which lines. And so I had to watch him breathe in order to know when he was going to sing and when I was not going to sing, or when— yeah. So that was one of the— I wouldn't say worst because we got through it, but it was It was terrifying when you are in front of that many people with someone as iconic as he is, and you don't want to mess it up. So, um, yeah, that was terrifying. Wow, wow, what a story! Well, the next song we're gonna listen to then is, um, Like a Prayer. Um, and that's another very special song, so let's talk about this after we hear Life is a mystery. Everyone must stand alone. I When you call my name and it feels like home. When you call my name, it's like a little breath. I'm down on my knees. I wanna take you there in the midnight hour. I can feel your power just like a prayer. You know I'll take you there. I hear your voice. It's like an angel's sighing. I have no choice. I hear your voice. Feels like flying. I close my eyes. Oh God, I think I'm falling out of the sky. I close my eyes. Heaven, help me. When you call my name, it's like a little prayer. Down on my knees, I want to take I can feel your power just like a prayer. You know I'll take you there when you call my name. It's like a little pet. I'm down on my knees. I wanna take you there in the midnight hour. I can feel your power just like a prayer. You know I'll take you there. Life is a mystery. Everyone must stand alone. I hear you call my name and it feels like home. Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there. Just like a mystery, you are a mystery. Just like a dream, you are not what you seem. Just like a prayer, no choice, your voice can take me there. Just like a Just like a prayer I'll take you there! It's like a dream to me— Just like a prayer I will take ya' thar'. It's like a dream to be just like a bird. I'll take ya'tharr', it's like a dream for me... Just like a breather. Your voice can take me there, just like you used to be. You are a mystery, just like a dream. You are not what you seem, just like a friend. No choice, your voice can take me there. And this was Like a Prayer, sung by Lucy Kay from her latest album Dark 'Angel.' So it was really, I mean, an incredible collection of pieces. You go from rock to pop to classical to crossover. It's amazing. It's a sort of— it's a full palette of the vocal possibilities of a singer, isn't it? Yeah, and I think that's what I definitely wanted out of the album, to just go through all these genres but connect them in a way that it wasn't disjointed and that it flowed quite nicely. So yeah, I just, I want to be as versatile as I can, give the audience members at least something that they, you know, that they really, really like, and also introduce them to new music. Is this, I mean, is this also music that you like listen to, really? Like, yeah, are you really that versatile when you listen to music? Yes, absolutely. I love absolutely everything. There's always a time and place for certain types of music. Sometimes I will feel like I really want to just chill out at home and listen to kind of classical music, um, or Indian-inspired music. I just— I'm very, you know, it's all about mood with me. And then, you know, if I'm hitting the gym, then I will want some rock music on, or, you know, it's just, uh, you know, something with adrenaline. And, uh, yeah, yeah, I've gone through all the genres growing up. So I kind of wanted to include all the pieces that I'd— I've loved, uh, and pop them on the album. You know, there is actually something, uh, that you said about classical music. I love listening to classical music, but not to piano music, because if I listen to piano music as a pianist, I cannot switch off my piano working brain, you know what I mean? So is that the same with you with singing? Yes, yeah, absolutely. So there's certain pieces that I can listen to that I don't think about technically about the voice, but it's very, very rare because— and so it's usually just orchestral pieces that I listen to the most, you know, or sound movie soundtracks that just have— just give you that emotion that I need, you know, in certain times that I need it. So yeah, I don't really listen to, to Firma Soprano sing at all, really, probably 5% of the time. Now I have to ask you a very special question: if you were not a singer, what would you have loved to be? Oh gosh, oh, there's so many things. I love working with animals, so I'm very— I just love caring for animals. But I also think I probably would be a pretty good bartender because I like making cocktails and I I love chatting to people, so I'm a very social person. So yeah, I, I don't think if it wasn't in the arts, it would, it would be something either to do with animals or humans. So just taking care of, of animals or serving people, you know. While I'm here, I am working at the ski center actually, because I don't like to be sat doing nothing. So I have got myself a job and I work as a— just at the ski center. I'm going back to work tomorrow and I am working as a bartender there. So this is what I, I love to just do different things. Like, I love singing, but I love being personal with people. So, you know, having a nice normal job is, is so lovely. So yeah, I think it's amazing. Now, do you have any funny episodes that you can tell us? You know, for example, people are recognizing you when you're working on a ski resort and saying, actually, you're Lucy Cash in Italy, or something like that. Well, I went to go to a spa actually in Oslo. I think it was just last year, and I, I went to— because obviously we're wearing masks all the time, so it's very difficult to see people's faces anyway. So, but I went to this, uh, to go and have a facial done, and, uh, the lady said— and I kind of forgot at the time, like, you know, because like coming to Norway, you don't, you don't get recognized very often, so it's quite, you know, it's quite nice. Um, and so I kind of just was going about my day, get going to get a facial, and she was talking to me and she went, are you 'Are you Lucy?' And I was like, 'Yes.' Yeah. And she went, 'You are Lucy.' And I, and I thought, 'Oh, maybe I'm in the wrong appointment room,' or maybe someone else has come in. So I was thinking there's been a mix-up. And she was like, 'Oh, we've been Googling you.' And I totally just, for that few minutes, completely forgot. So it was— I was like, 'Oh yes, sorry, yes, yes, I am missing it.' Yeah, so That was funny. All right, wow. Okay, so what's your next, um, um, project then? You said you have this tour in Canada, and, um, yeah, and hopefully we will see you with the album, um, with some live performances, maybe again at the Royal Albert Hall. That would be fantastic. Yeah. Oh, would be, wouldn't it? So yes, Canada, hopefully some concert tours with my album, and obviously, um, hopefully revisiting visiting, which we never got to do this year, was the Andrew Lloyd Webber Gala Concert Tour, which I will be singing Christine Daaé songs. I will be singing Phantom of the Opera with that nice top note there, uh, also, um, Evita and Memory from Cats. So it's all people, all those people's favorite songs. So yep. Will you plan to do musical again? Yeah, I always put myself for the— my agent is constantly scouring musicals. I I love singing in my own right as a soloist, but I actually get more out of working with companies and people. I love being part of ensembles and just working with people. That's the kind of person I am. It gets quite lonely when you're on your own and singing, so to collaborate with other people is fantastic. And being in musicals as well, it's another passion of mine. So yes, we're on the lookout. We're still— we put forward for auditions and things, so hopefully something will come up. In the next year. And yeah, and if it does, fantastic. And then last question, you know, I mean, I think you, you're so beautiful looking, you know, you're really stunning. And have you ever been offered to be an actress, to be movies? Um, no. Do you know what, I also would love to do that, but I think you have to tap into those kind of circles. I, I don't know. It is something that I would love to— I've done some presenting actually here in, in Norway. Uh, yeah, we did 10,000 Steps to Trondheim. This is, uh, it also can be found on YouTube now, um, obviously because it was a campaign for Visit Norway. And I did some presenting, uh, for Trondheim, and, uh, it was really— I loved being in front of the camera, so It's been another journey for me to realize what I love doing as well is kind of the presenting side. So, uh, yes, I'm open for all of these doors. I, uh, I would love to do absolutely everything. Well, who knows? I'll be looking out, watching out for you, definitely. Well, the last song we're gonna listen to today is The Red, Red Rose. Would you like to tell us something about this song. Yeah, so this song is for one of my other sponsors called Geoff Newton, and he really, really loved this song, and I thought it fit really well to go on to the album at the end. It showcases the classical and big powerful notes as well as the softer side. It's obviously a Robert Burns poem, and the arranger Robin Hoffman has created this beautiful cinematic sound. So this is Red, Red Rose. Let's listen to Red Red Rose. My love is like a red, red rose that's newly sprung into— God love is like a melody, so sweetly pleading to us. Fair heart thou, my Bonnie lass, so deep in love am I. And I will love you still, my dear, though all the sea's gone dry, though all the sea's gone dry. Though, oh, the sea's gone dry, my dear, and rocks melt with the sun, I will love thee still, my dear, though sand The sands of life shall run. So then he will, my only love, and then he will. And I will come to you again. Though it's worth 10,000 times more! So thank you very much for watching this video— I hope that you enjoyed it. If so, please leave me a like or comment down below if there was anything else that you'd want to see from me. And until next time... Bye-bye! And this was Red Red Rose by Lucy Kay for her latest album Dark Angel. It was a pleasure to have Lucy with us today. I hope you will be able to come and perform live live in London very soon so we can all come and listen to you. And, um, you're very welcome. Best of luck with this fantastic album. I'm sure it's gonna skyrocket the, um, the charts in any sector for both classical and crossover. And, and best of luck for coming back as well to the UK. So far we, we're getting finally reopened. So we hope everyone to be back to normal very soon and to be able to enjoy concerts again with no mask and, you know, and with a lot, a lot of singing. Um, you've been listening to Future Classic Women Awards on Women's Radio Station, live every day at 10 AM and 10 PM London time. If you have any questions that you would like to ask to our guest or nomination for our Future Classic Women Awards, please email presenters at womensradiostation.com or tweet us at Women's Radio STN. And if you would like to listen to it again or catch up on our previous programs, you can head to my presenter page, Stefania Passamonte, slash Future Classic Men Awards on womensradiostation.com. Thank you again, Lucy, and have a wonderful day. Thank you. Bye.