The C2C Sit Down with Alana Springsteen
This year’s whole C2C: Country to Country adventure for us began on Friday 1st March at the stunning Passionkirche church in Berlin for a mesmerising show put on by Nashville’s world renowned Bluebird Café which featured Rita Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Alana Springsteen.
We first spoke to Alana (which you can read HERE) just after the release of her debut full-length album “TWENTY SOMETHING” and she was last in the UK back in August 2023 when she was over here to perform at The Long Road Festival. Her third visit to Europe in twelve months after making her debut at last year’s event as part of the CMA Presented introducing Nashville series, saw her perform on the main stage in Rotterdam and Berlin in addition to the Bluebird Café show in Germany along with taking up hosting duties for the main stage in London alongside Bob Harris before playing her own headline show at Saturday night’s official afterparty. During her time in London, Jamie sat down with Alana to talk about the shows in continental Europe, her recent visit to Australia and her thoughts on presenting alongside the legendary face of country music on this side of the Atlantic.
We first spoke to Alana (which you can read HERE) just after the release of her debut full-length album “TWENTY SOMETHING” and she was last in the UK back in August 2023 when she was over here to perform at The Long Road Festival. Her third visit to Europe in twelve months after making her debut at last year’s event as part of the CMA Presented introducing Nashville series, saw her perform on the main stage in Rotterdam and Berlin in addition to the Bluebird Café show in Germany along with taking up hosting duties for the main stage in London alongside Bob Harris before playing her own headline show at Saturday night’s official afterparty. During her time in London, Jamie sat down with Alana to talk about the shows in continental Europe, her recent visit to Australia and her thoughts on presenting alongside the legendary face of country music on this side of the Atlantic.
Thank you for hanging, it’s so nice to chat IRL after speaking on Zoom last year. Unlike the other guys that you’re going to be talking to I saw you last weekend in Berlin.
“That’s awesome, was it the smaller show or the bigger show?”
I came to both.
“Ah cool, well that’s wonderful we can talk about that.”
Well, here in London, you are here and doing some cool yet slightly different things this weekend but last weekend you played with your band to mainland Europe, so how did you find the whole experience of playing in Berlin and Rotterdam compared to the two trips that you had playing in the UK before?
“It was my first time playing with my full band in Berlin and Rotterdam so that was a whole different thing itself. Those shows were absolutely electrifying, the crowd was packed, I could feel the energy from them, I could hear them singing back songs and not just the singles, but like the deep cuts which is always so special. I still did a little acoustic set in the middle and I always love to have that little intimate moment even if I am playing full band and even if it is high energy, I love to let it be just me and them for a second with that intimacy.”
As it was my first time, I found that the German audience is another level in terms of how attentive and respectful they are even compared to crowds here, I was just blown away at how much they want to listen. That Friday night in that church, which firstly is probably the most beautiful building I have ever heard music but it was just unreal how nobody is scrolling on their phone, everyone just had their eyes fixed for the entire time on you and the two Wilson’s ha-ha.
“Ha-ha yep the two unrelated Wilson’s. That was an experience that I’ll never forget. When we walked up to the venue, I was blown away at how beautiful the architecture was, you just don’t find places like that in the States so it was cool to bring the songwriters round to Berlin. I know for us, we just love telling stories, love any opportunity to dig into the meat of these songs and when people care that much, they are listening that intently it makes us go deeper and experience songs in a different way.”
You also dropped in a couple of new one for us, there was one called “Gravity” which I really liked a lot so, it seems like your starting to test the water with things we may hear post “TWENTY SOMETHING”.
“It’s been a tradition of mine to play new, unreleased stuff overseas. It happened at the first C2C, actually here in the O2, I think a played a couple of songs that night which were coming out on “TWENTY SOMETHING” but obviously we hadn’t really got into the studio yet and started cutting some of these songs. I feel like you guys are always one of my favourite places to try out new songs on.”
What makes it easier to be trying out new songs here? Is part of it being where some of the crowd are new to your music anyway that songs like “amen” or “you don’t deserve a country song” will be on the same level as something that is completely brand new?
“Yes, that is part of it but also like we just talked about with how people listen to lyrics and how you guys are so attentive to the songs. Sometimes you play shows where people don’t want to hear new stuff, they just want to hear what they know and is familiar but it is just that people are hungry for good music.”
“That’s awesome, was it the smaller show or the bigger show?”
I came to both.
“Ah cool, well that’s wonderful we can talk about that.”
Well, here in London, you are here and doing some cool yet slightly different things this weekend but last weekend you played with your band to mainland Europe, so how did you find the whole experience of playing in Berlin and Rotterdam compared to the two trips that you had playing in the UK before?
“It was my first time playing with my full band in Berlin and Rotterdam so that was a whole different thing itself. Those shows were absolutely electrifying, the crowd was packed, I could feel the energy from them, I could hear them singing back songs and not just the singles, but like the deep cuts which is always so special. I still did a little acoustic set in the middle and I always love to have that little intimate moment even if I am playing full band and even if it is high energy, I love to let it be just me and them for a second with that intimacy.”
As it was my first time, I found that the German audience is another level in terms of how attentive and respectful they are even compared to crowds here, I was just blown away at how much they want to listen. That Friday night in that church, which firstly is probably the most beautiful building I have ever heard music but it was just unreal how nobody is scrolling on their phone, everyone just had their eyes fixed for the entire time on you and the two Wilson’s ha-ha.
“Ha-ha yep the two unrelated Wilson’s. That was an experience that I’ll never forget. When we walked up to the venue, I was blown away at how beautiful the architecture was, you just don’t find places like that in the States so it was cool to bring the songwriters round to Berlin. I know for us, we just love telling stories, love any opportunity to dig into the meat of these songs and when people care that much, they are listening that intently it makes us go deeper and experience songs in a different way.”
You also dropped in a couple of new one for us, there was one called “Gravity” which I really liked a lot so, it seems like your starting to test the water with things we may hear post “TWENTY SOMETHING”.
“It’s been a tradition of mine to play new, unreleased stuff overseas. It happened at the first C2C, actually here in the O2, I think a played a couple of songs that night which were coming out on “TWENTY SOMETHING” but obviously we hadn’t really got into the studio yet and started cutting some of these songs. I feel like you guys are always one of my favourite places to try out new songs on.”
What makes it easier to be trying out new songs here? Is part of it being where some of the crowd are new to your music anyway that songs like “amen” or “you don’t deserve a country song” will be on the same level as something that is completely brand new?
“Yes, that is part of it but also like we just talked about with how people listen to lyrics and how you guys are so attentive to the songs. Sometimes you play shows where people don’t want to hear new stuff, they just want to hear what they know and is familiar but it is just that people are hungry for good music.”
This weekend though you are basically the queen of the festival here in London.
“Ha-ha, awh am I?
Well yeah, your hosting the main stage, so you’re in control of everything and today is International Women’s Day where you are going to be introducing two Lauren’s and two Carly’s, one Carly with a C and one Karley with a K so the five of you are going to be representing for the girls.
“Oh yeah it is. That’s true, I totally hadn’t put together the name twinning. It’s going to be such a fun show and Bob Harris is an icon! I mean he has been at the forefront of country music here in the UK from the very beginning so, just to get to share the stage with him and just to get to talk with him is so special. Then I get to play the afterparty show tomorrow night, which I’ve heard gets a little rowdy.”
Oh yeah, it’s definitely going to be nothing like that church in Germany ha-ha. There will be people that start drinking at ten o’clock in the morning and keep going right through. When you bring an up-tempo party set where you are having fun, the audience does know how to react to it because we have three more “legal” years of drinking than you guys in the States. You know, in the same way all you guys wait until you’re twenty one, nobody starts before eighteen here either, ha-ha. Going back to hosting with Bob, what’s the sort of vibe you’re looking to bring? Have you got any jokes lined up or anything else you’ve been thinking about?
“You know, well, yeah I’ve got a few but I feel like I’m just trying to compliment Bob in all of the ways, bring the energy and fun. I’m twenty three so I’m probably going to mess around and have a good time up there but he is just a dream co-host, he’s been doing this since the start of C2C so, I’m just going to take his lead and we’re going to have fun with it.”
So, you’re not tempted to teach the Brits what a shoey is after your trip to Australia.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha I don’t know, maybe that would be fun but you never know what is going to happen out here in the UK.”
I saw that before you went out there, you knew that was a thing before you played so you were ready for it.
“Yeah it was at Ridin’ Hearts Festival in Melbourne and Sydney, so yeah I did a shoey from the stage and I knew that was a thing because people that have been talk about how wild the Australians get so, when I heard about this tradition I thought I had to be a part of this, but I want to be a little different and do it from one of my J’s because I’m a sneakers girl.”
J’s are definitely your brand but not today.
“I know, I’ve got the boots going on so I’m switching it up.”
Was it from a brand new Air Jordan then?
“I had worn it a couple of times but I don’t know if that’s the way ha-ha.”
I take it you didn’t wear them again though.
“Ha-ha no, I actually gave them away but they would have been a little bit sticky to wear again after having a little seltzer in it so RIP to them. I just popped it, poured it in and sipped it. Would you do it?”
I’ve probably drunk out of worse at various points in my life anyway and my best friend lives in Western Australia so I know it’s a thing and when you’re there, I would absolutely think drinking from a shoe was a terribly idea but would one hundred percent do it anyway ha-ha.
“Does anybody do shoey’s here?”
I’m sure there will be people drunk enough to do it, but it’s not a thing here. I’m sure you could start it though ha-ha. Anyway, you are going to have a lot of fun tomorrow night with the afterparty, are you still playing with your full band?
“Yes, it’s a full band show. One of my players named Daniel who was with me in Rotterdam and Berlin is here, then I’ve got a couple of local players who are based here in the UK joining us tomorrow.”
That’s cool, but after the show on Sunday, I saw you went chasing the sunshine in Spain for a few days.
“I went to Mallorca and it was beautiful, it just worked out that we were able to go down from the couple of days away from the cold and the rain, although it’s quite pretty here in London today so, I’ll take it because it’s much better than last year. The beach is definitely my vibe, I’m a proper beach girl, I grew up five minutes from the water in Virginia Beach so, anytime I can get by the ocean it just puts me in great space.”
This has been awesome, you really were our highlight with both shows in Germany. I know you are super busy so I really appreciate getting to hang in person after chatting on Zoom when we mainly talked about Miss Swift and The Eras Tour because I’m going to three of those shows this summer.
“Awh, thank you, that’s so sweet. You’re going to love seeing Taylor and she’s incredible. I saw her at SoFi in Los Angeles and it was amazing but wonderful getting to talk to you again and thank you for having me.”
The debut album “TWENTY SOMETHING” from Alana Springsteen is out now through Columbia Records NY/Sony Music Nashville and is available HERE and you can be in the know about any forthcoming new releases and keep up to date with all that she is up to by checking her out on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK TWITTER & FACEBOOK.
“Ha-ha, awh am I?
Well yeah, your hosting the main stage, so you’re in control of everything and today is International Women’s Day where you are going to be introducing two Lauren’s and two Carly’s, one Carly with a C and one Karley with a K so the five of you are going to be representing for the girls.
“Oh yeah it is. That’s true, I totally hadn’t put together the name twinning. It’s going to be such a fun show and Bob Harris is an icon! I mean he has been at the forefront of country music here in the UK from the very beginning so, just to get to share the stage with him and just to get to talk with him is so special. Then I get to play the afterparty show tomorrow night, which I’ve heard gets a little rowdy.”
Oh yeah, it’s definitely going to be nothing like that church in Germany ha-ha. There will be people that start drinking at ten o’clock in the morning and keep going right through. When you bring an up-tempo party set where you are having fun, the audience does know how to react to it because we have three more “legal” years of drinking than you guys in the States. You know, in the same way all you guys wait until you’re twenty one, nobody starts before eighteen here either, ha-ha. Going back to hosting with Bob, what’s the sort of vibe you’re looking to bring? Have you got any jokes lined up or anything else you’ve been thinking about?
“You know, well, yeah I’ve got a few but I feel like I’m just trying to compliment Bob in all of the ways, bring the energy and fun. I’m twenty three so I’m probably going to mess around and have a good time up there but he is just a dream co-host, he’s been doing this since the start of C2C so, I’m just going to take his lead and we’re going to have fun with it.”
So, you’re not tempted to teach the Brits what a shoey is after your trip to Australia.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha I don’t know, maybe that would be fun but you never know what is going to happen out here in the UK.”
I saw that before you went out there, you knew that was a thing before you played so you were ready for it.
“Yeah it was at Ridin’ Hearts Festival in Melbourne and Sydney, so yeah I did a shoey from the stage and I knew that was a thing because people that have been talk about how wild the Australians get so, when I heard about this tradition I thought I had to be a part of this, but I want to be a little different and do it from one of my J’s because I’m a sneakers girl.”
J’s are definitely your brand but not today.
“I know, I’ve got the boots going on so I’m switching it up.”
Was it from a brand new Air Jordan then?
“I had worn it a couple of times but I don’t know if that’s the way ha-ha.”
I take it you didn’t wear them again though.
“Ha-ha no, I actually gave them away but they would have been a little bit sticky to wear again after having a little seltzer in it so RIP to them. I just popped it, poured it in and sipped it. Would you do it?”
I’ve probably drunk out of worse at various points in my life anyway and my best friend lives in Western Australia so I know it’s a thing and when you’re there, I would absolutely think drinking from a shoe was a terribly idea but would one hundred percent do it anyway ha-ha.
“Does anybody do shoey’s here?”
I’m sure there will be people drunk enough to do it, but it’s not a thing here. I’m sure you could start it though ha-ha. Anyway, you are going to have a lot of fun tomorrow night with the afterparty, are you still playing with your full band?
“Yes, it’s a full band show. One of my players named Daniel who was with me in Rotterdam and Berlin is here, then I’ve got a couple of local players who are based here in the UK joining us tomorrow.”
That’s cool, but after the show on Sunday, I saw you went chasing the sunshine in Spain for a few days.
“I went to Mallorca and it was beautiful, it just worked out that we were able to go down from the couple of days away from the cold and the rain, although it’s quite pretty here in London today so, I’ll take it because it’s much better than last year. The beach is definitely my vibe, I’m a proper beach girl, I grew up five minutes from the water in Virginia Beach so, anytime I can get by the ocean it just puts me in great space.”
This has been awesome, you really were our highlight with both shows in Germany. I know you are super busy so I really appreciate getting to hang in person after chatting on Zoom when we mainly talked about Miss Swift and The Eras Tour because I’m going to three of those shows this summer.
“Awh, thank you, that’s so sweet. You’re going to love seeing Taylor and she’s incredible. I saw her at SoFi in Los Angeles and it was amazing but wonderful getting to talk to you again and thank you for having me.”
The debut album “TWENTY SOMETHING” from Alana Springsteen is out now through Columbia Records NY/Sony Music Nashville and is available HERE and you can be in the know about any forthcoming new releases and keep up to date with all that she is up to by checking her out on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK TWITTER & FACEBOOK.
C2C: Country to Country will return in 2025 for three days of festivities in Berlin over the weekend of March 7th to 9th which you will be able to find further detail on their WEBSITE and on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK where you will also be able to relive highlights from this year’s event.
The event will then roll into London, Glasgow and Belfast the following weekend between March 14th and 16th which you can keep a look out for all forthcoming details at the event WEBSITE or socials (INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK) with line-up details expected to be announced later in the year.
The event will then roll into London, Glasgow and Belfast the following weekend between March 14th and 16th which you can keep a look out for all forthcoming details at the event WEBSITE or socials (INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK) with line-up details expected to be announced later in the year.