At last year’s C2C: Country to Country in London, one of the most talked about acts of the festival was a pair of blonde sisters from North Dakota then following the release of their EP “Blonde” and being named in this year’s CMT Next Women of Country class, Tigirlily Gold returned earlier this month to play the Spotlight stage inside the main arena in London and Glasgow.
Following their appearance in London, more exciting news came to Krista and Kendra as they found out that “Shoot Tequila” was nominated for both Breakthrough Female Video of the Year and Duo/Group Video of the Year to give them their first CMT Award nominations. We first met the girls a year ago (read HERE) and we couldn’t resist the opportunity to catch up with two of the most fun and lively people in country music on their UK return.
It’s so nice to see you both again and it’s crazy that it has been a whole year because a lot has happened for you two. “We were kind of booked for the festival a little bit last minute last year because of “Shoot Tequila” and our top city was London at the time. We played the stage in the mall last time so, to be back and now to be playing the actual O2 arena this year is crazy and if you would have told me that a year ago I wouldn’t have believed you. We’re so grateful for the fans over here and how they have taken us under their wing and supported us, it’s really incredible.”
This time, your luggage arrived with you, you learnt that playing a show on the day you arrive isn’t fun because is horrible and I saw you both did a really great job for the Scottish tourist board as it looked so pretty all the things that you were posting during your time up there. “Yeah, last year we were only here for about forty eight hours total and it was way too quick so this year when we got booked for the festival again, we decided to take a few extra days on both the front and back end. We got to enjoy parts of Scotland, we are going to spend an extra day in London just being tourists and we’re going to Paris as well so, we’re making a trip out of the whole thing and we’re just glad to be here.” (Kendra)
Ooh La La, very nice. “ Indeed, but if you have any recommendations for things to do in London, Monday is our tourist day.” (Kendra)
Everyone from Nashville that comes here seems to be obsessed with a restaurant called Dishoom. “YES, I’ve heard that too. Do you like it?” (Kendra)
It’s good, but to me it’s like our version of Hattie B’s in Midtown. “OK, like touristy so, it’s good but you wouldn’t go out of your way to do it.” (Kendra)
I just wouldn’t queue that long for a curry but it is good and everyone talks about it. It looks really good when you post on socials and all of that sort of thing though. “Well, we have to at least do it once and check it off the bucket list. I get what you mean though, I like hot chicken but I’m only going to Hattie B’s and waiting in that line if I have friends or family in from out of town.” (Krista) But yeah Dishoom, does look really cool when people post about it on their socials and that’s something that you girls are really big on. “We love doing social media, we started our band eleven years ago and we have been doing social media since before we were Tigirlily Gold so, it’s always been a way for us to connect to fans all over the world. Especially during the pandemic, we would jump on TikTok and had some success over there which was super cool to see but we love it, just to share our journey with people and our fans where we can take them along through the hardships and the wins too.” (Kendra)
People seem to either absolutely love sharing their story and playing around with music through TikTok, whilst other people absolutely hate it but it’s a devil that you have to deal with nowadays. The two of you clearly enjoy it and you have a lot of fun with it too like when Krista told the story about when Caitlyn Smith sent you some chocolates. “Oh my gosh, yes ha-ha.” (Krista)
I’ve been there too girl, my friends have made cakes that I thought were REALLY nice. “Ha-ha I bet it felt really funny. That’s one of my favourite stories too” (Krista) “Yeah, TikTok we just like to keep it real. Obviously we love sharing our music with people on there but more than anything it’s just fun to share the journey, we don’t put too much pressure or thought into it, we just share fun videos and if something goes viral that’s incredible but if it doesn’t we are still going to keep posting.” (Kendra) “We just like sharing our journey and all the fun stories like that where maybe my Grandma is not on TikTok so we can get away with a little bit more on there. Actually, Grandma Judy might be on there but it was an accident ha-ha, I didn’t mean to get high.” (Krista)
You’re in the big arena tonight, last year like you said one of your sets was in the mall but twenty thousand people in that big room this time. “In London, in a different country that we started making music in, which is crazy.” (Krista) “It’s something that is really hard to fathom for us from coming from a small town in North Dakota, moving to Nashville and now being here at the O2 to play here tonight. It’s really what dreams are made of and we’re so grateful that we’ve stuck it out through so many times during this journey where we thought maybe we should throw in the towel. It’s moments like tonight that really make it all worth it, it’s so exciting and to be able to do it together as sisters is probably the coolest part too.” (Kendra)
Then yesterday was International Women’s Day, I had Spice Girls on to celebrate that and as you can see it’s Queen Britney today. One of the things for you two this year was being named in the CMT Next Women of Country class for 2024, how big is it to have someone like Leslie (Fram) who is not just a really big supporter of female’s in country music but is in a position that really can make a huge impact in the industry for you girls? “It’s incredible. She’s so supportive and like you say she not only talks the talk but she walks the walk. She lifts up women in anyway possible and especially being part of that class of next Women, she creates opportunities like that’s the reason why we got to meet Dolly Parton a couple of weeks ago and that was so cool. It was because of couple of things but the CMT Next Women were invited to that show and we got asked to be a part of it. It’s so cool when people like that go out of their way, we try as women just to be confident and make no excuses for ourselves so, we’re going to do whatever it takes but it definitely helps to have people that can support you and lift you along the way.” (Krista) “I mean we are grateful for all of the women in country music who have paved the path for us whether that has been on the artist side, the writing side or the industry side, all of those women have made a place for us. We are so grateful for people like Leslie and hopefully we can do that for the next class of women coming up.” (Kendra) It's a really cool class this year too with Karley (Scott Collins), Tanner (Adell) and Lauren Watkins, who are all here this weekend as well and for the second time ever we have a Brit in there too. “Yay Twinnie! We love her, she was in our music video, she’s a hoot and she’s always the life of the party.” (Krista)
I probably should have already asked by now, seeing as we talked about Scotland earlier but how was Glasgow last night? “Honestly, it’s a massive arena and you walk through the halls seeing how people like Fleetwood Mac and all of these people that you look up to have played these venues so, you feel part of history and the fans are just incredible. The main stage is going on and the Spotlight stage is on the other side of the arena so we didn’t realise the fans were going to run in and surround us and I thought that was really amazing how they rallied around the new artists on that stage so that was really cool to see.” (Kendra)
This is the second trip over now, so I guess the next step is to bring a band and have your own tour. Is that now something that you are really talking with your team about and focusing on finding a window in your calendar to be able to keep coming back over here. “Oh absolutely. After last year at C2C, right away we told our management, our agency and everyone that we need to put time and effort into coming back to the UK every single year because this is a priority for us and the next goal for us is to do a headlining tour and bring the band over here. That is definitely in all of our thought processes and is definitely going to happen.” (Kendra)
Music wise, you put “I Tried A Ring On” out right at the start of the year but what’s on the horizon with more new stuff coming through the rest of the year? How are we looking post “Blonde”? “Post Blonde! Well, there might be a couple more songs as a continuation of the “Blonde” project, it’s turned into two full albums so you can expect more songs from that. “I Tried A Ring On” was our kick off to the year and it’s our song at country radio right now, then maybe another song or two in the next couple of months and hopefully an album in summer is the goal right now. We have it wrapped up, we have recorded so many fun new songs and we’re throwing a fan party here where people are going to get a sneak peak at some of the new music and it will be so fun to show them.” (Kendra)
So, it’s fan party tomorrow and it’s not just the arena tonight, because you’re having some fun after. “Wooo yes, we’re doing The Saloon after-party baby and maybe having some tequila.” (Kendra)
I have a feeling tonight really is the night for tequila. “After playing the O2 and playing the after-party we definitely need to celebrate.” (Krista)
Everyone I know is looking at tonight as tequila night, it’s the first time that Jake Owen has played here and I think a lot of people are ready to go batshit and turn into Sheila. “Oh yes, that’s hilarious so, it’s Honky Tonk night. It’s going to be amazing!” (Kendra) It definitely will be amazing, thank you as always, it’s so much fun to see you both and please just keep coming back.
The new single “I Tried A Ring On” from Tigirlily Gold is out now via Monument Records and is available HERE. You can find details for all of the girls upcoming North American shows by checking out their WBESITE or you can be the first to be in the know about any news of forthcoming new releases along with what Krista and Kendra are up to by following them on INSTAGRAMTIKTOKTWITTER & 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 back 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 (INSTAGRAMTWITTERFACEBOOK) with line-up details expected to be announced later in the year.