The Sit Down with Kezia Gill
After years of carving out her place as one of the UK’s most distinctive country voices, Kezia Gill steps into a new era this week with her major‑label album debut on Snakefarm/Universal, releasing All On Red across digital platforms. Having signed with the label last summer, the long‑time independent artist launches 2026 not only with a new record but with a ten‑date headline tour to follow. A leading force in the UK country scene, Gill has spent years lighting up festival stages and opening for some of Nashville’s biggest names. We caught up with her earlier this week as she entered the final countdown to All On Red’s release.
Thank you for taking the time as it’s a pretty big week for you.
Thank you. It all seems to be happening after so much planning and so long waiting
For most people they'd think it's quite a short process, but with this album — we're talking three years plus in the making.
Absolutely, I started writing some of these songs three years ago and then the actual production started in September 2023. It feels like I've known these songs forever and what's mad is that they're going to be brand new to everyone. So, it reignited the fire in me, I've kind of got so used to these songs now, but I'm excited to get them out there.
Some of them you've been playing for nearly a year as well now, haven't you? It must almost feel like they've been out for so long and you're now realising the album's just coming out this week.
What’s really nice is that it’s only Dublin’s Out Of Whiskey which came out in August that we put into the festival set this summer. I actually first played that back in March, so that’s the only one that actually feels like it’s had a bit of road work. Heaven Is A Honky Tonk, I've only played that live a couple of times and Gut Feeling I'm yet to play live with a band, I've tried it a few acoustic times, but that's why I'm so excited about the tour because it's going to be the first time really presenting the songs as a whole.
Is it quite exciting to have that tour so close, because it kicks off within that three, four-week window, straight after the album?
Yeah, absolutely. That's why we've done a staggered release with the digital release coming out this Friday. It gives people a chance to just sit with the music for a minute, because there's nothing worse than going to a concert and every song's brand new. I want people to have a bit of a familiarity with it and then they'll be able to pick up the digital copy, sorry, the physical copy in another three weeks time. So ready for the tour, ready for the merch table!
Thank you for taking the time as it’s a pretty big week for you.
Thank you. It all seems to be happening after so much planning and so long waiting
For most people they'd think it's quite a short process, but with this album — we're talking three years plus in the making.
Absolutely, I started writing some of these songs three years ago and then the actual production started in September 2023. It feels like I've known these songs forever and what's mad is that they're going to be brand new to everyone. So, it reignited the fire in me, I've kind of got so used to these songs now, but I'm excited to get them out there.
Some of them you've been playing for nearly a year as well now, haven't you? It must almost feel like they've been out for so long and you're now realising the album's just coming out this week.
What’s really nice is that it’s only Dublin’s Out Of Whiskey which came out in August that we put into the festival set this summer. I actually first played that back in March, so that’s the only one that actually feels like it’s had a bit of road work. Heaven Is A Honky Tonk, I've only played that live a couple of times and Gut Feeling I'm yet to play live with a band, I've tried it a few acoustic times, but that's why I'm so excited about the tour because it's going to be the first time really presenting the songs as a whole.
Is it quite exciting to have that tour so close, because it kicks off within that three, four-week window, straight after the album?
Yeah, absolutely. That's why we've done a staggered release with the digital release coming out this Friday. It gives people a chance to just sit with the music for a minute, because there's nothing worse than going to a concert and every song's brand new. I want people to have a bit of a familiarity with it and then they'll be able to pick up the digital copy, sorry, the physical copy in another three weeks time. So ready for the tour, ready for the merch table!
There is a vinyl as well - a red vinyl, I understand.
I'm so excited that there's a vinyl. It was always a dream to have vinyl, but being independent, it's such a big cost and that's the beauty of being taken under by a record label and they can say that vinyl is something we can achieve.
Was that one of the things towards the top of the request list?
It was funny as we had the meeting about the vinyl and we were sharing ideas and I asked for it to be a big poker chip, and they were like, no, we can't really do that, because when you put art onto a vinyl, it actually affects the way it sounds. I was like, oh, okay, that's fine, I'm just getting excited. Then they said, but we can make it red. And I was like, oh my gosh, that's even better! That took my idea and we just made it classy. So when they said, yeah, it's going to be a red vinyl, I was like, oh, when you put it out of the sleeve, that is going to look so cool.
We can all guess where the first one you put out the box is going to be staying, can we?
I’m very lucky that I have one of the test presses, but the irony is, I don't own a record player! We are going to treat ourselves to one though. We will wait until I've got the test press and the original, so we’ll have them both, and we'll have a little listening party, I think.
It only sounds better on vinyl.
Definitely.
That's how it's meant to sound, isn't it?
Well, that's what everyone says! I'm excited to start my little vinyl collection and sort of get into the movement of vinyl. So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
I'm so excited that there's a vinyl. It was always a dream to have vinyl, but being independent, it's such a big cost and that's the beauty of being taken under by a record label and they can say that vinyl is something we can achieve.
Was that one of the things towards the top of the request list?
It was funny as we had the meeting about the vinyl and we were sharing ideas and I asked for it to be a big poker chip, and they were like, no, we can't really do that, because when you put art onto a vinyl, it actually affects the way it sounds. I was like, oh, okay, that's fine, I'm just getting excited. Then they said, but we can make it red. And I was like, oh my gosh, that's even better! That took my idea and we just made it classy. So when they said, yeah, it's going to be a red vinyl, I was like, oh, when you put it out of the sleeve, that is going to look so cool.
We can all guess where the first one you put out the box is going to be staying, can we?
I’m very lucky that I have one of the test presses, but the irony is, I don't own a record player! We are going to treat ourselves to one though. We will wait until I've got the test press and the original, so we’ll have them both, and we'll have a little listening party, I think.
It only sounds better on vinyl.
Definitely.
That's how it's meant to sound, isn't it?
Well, that's what everyone says! I'm excited to start my little vinyl collection and sort of get into the movement of vinyl. So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
With the tour, there's going to be 10 dates scattered across the country. Is it quite nice now the backing of Snakefarm, to be able to have that many dates and in such varying locations?
Yeah, I think what I'm really proud of is that the tour was actually built before the deal. Touring is something we've always taken really seriously, and I've been fortunate enough to tour every year. This is something that's really come from my hard work as an independent artist. My excitement now with the label is where the next tour will take us. I am super proud of some of the venues, you know, like the Islington Assembly Hall in London, Rock City in Nottingham, which is going to be my hometown show. That's the kind of venue that I could have only ever dreamt of playing. I'm super proud of where we're at now and I'm just excited to get out there.
You obviously did so much as an independent artist because you have really built this almost cult following and become basically the face of the UK female country artist scene. Then adding C2C to it, does it now feel like the next step could be absolutely anything for you?
I'd love to think that the next step could be anything. There’s always going to be that UK stigma of how high and how far can we go. My mindset has always been if you tell me I can't do something, I'm just going to want to prove that I can. So if anything, that stigma gives me a little bit of a fire. I think a big part of my future wish list is to play more shows stateside. Not just Nashville, but the whole of North America. I'd love to take this, what we're doing, what we're creating, I'd love to take this to America and Europe as well. I think there's a huge love for country music in Europe. We can talk about vinyls, we can talk about music, but it all comes down to playing live. And that's what I love to do, it's what I've always loved to do. For me, just getting out there, playing as many shows to as many people as possible.
And it helps to have the band you've got as well, because they add to the vibe so much.
Yeah, I've got, they're all such good musicians that it's nice to have a little pool of a couple of drummers and guitarists, so when people aren't available, I still have a really strong team of guys. They never let me down. It's so important to have that feeling of having friendship before the work because yes, I could pay a drummer and they could come and play, but it's brilliant to feel like you're bringing up a mate and being like, do you fancy this gig? And then, you're just messing about basically. You're messing about until you go on stage, you do the set, you come off stage and then you're messing about again. It's great, certainly during a summer of festivals too makes it's one long mess about really.
Kick starting the year like you are, by mid-March when the album and tour to support the release are done. Do you feel like there is so much left to accomplish in 2026? Most people think, cool, I've done an album and a tour, but with Snakefarm backing now, it must feel like 2026 could be a huge year and it definitely isn't going to end in March.
As an independent you are always so far ahead – sometimes as far as two years ahead, so I’m already well into planning 2027 in my head. We're already in the middle of writing the next album and this one hasn't even come out yet! But that's the way you have to think, because everything that just pops up on your social media or pops up on a poster has probably been six to 12 months in the planning. We are always so far down the road, but one thing that I did want to do this year is just try and be more present in the moment and try and not kind of think, okay, what's next, what's next, what's next? And just appreciate what I've achieved. So that's one of my mantras this year. As much as I have to look forwards, just look out the window and enjoy the view.
Yeah, I think what I'm really proud of is that the tour was actually built before the deal. Touring is something we've always taken really seriously, and I've been fortunate enough to tour every year. This is something that's really come from my hard work as an independent artist. My excitement now with the label is where the next tour will take us. I am super proud of some of the venues, you know, like the Islington Assembly Hall in London, Rock City in Nottingham, which is going to be my hometown show. That's the kind of venue that I could have only ever dreamt of playing. I'm super proud of where we're at now and I'm just excited to get out there.
You obviously did so much as an independent artist because you have really built this almost cult following and become basically the face of the UK female country artist scene. Then adding C2C to it, does it now feel like the next step could be absolutely anything for you?
I'd love to think that the next step could be anything. There’s always going to be that UK stigma of how high and how far can we go. My mindset has always been if you tell me I can't do something, I'm just going to want to prove that I can. So if anything, that stigma gives me a little bit of a fire. I think a big part of my future wish list is to play more shows stateside. Not just Nashville, but the whole of North America. I'd love to take this, what we're doing, what we're creating, I'd love to take this to America and Europe as well. I think there's a huge love for country music in Europe. We can talk about vinyls, we can talk about music, but it all comes down to playing live. And that's what I love to do, it's what I've always loved to do. For me, just getting out there, playing as many shows to as many people as possible.
And it helps to have the band you've got as well, because they add to the vibe so much.
Yeah, I've got, they're all such good musicians that it's nice to have a little pool of a couple of drummers and guitarists, so when people aren't available, I still have a really strong team of guys. They never let me down. It's so important to have that feeling of having friendship before the work because yes, I could pay a drummer and they could come and play, but it's brilliant to feel like you're bringing up a mate and being like, do you fancy this gig? And then, you're just messing about basically. You're messing about until you go on stage, you do the set, you come off stage and then you're messing about again. It's great, certainly during a summer of festivals too makes it's one long mess about really.
Kick starting the year like you are, by mid-March when the album and tour to support the release are done. Do you feel like there is so much left to accomplish in 2026? Most people think, cool, I've done an album and a tour, but with Snakefarm backing now, it must feel like 2026 could be a huge year and it definitely isn't going to end in March.
As an independent you are always so far ahead – sometimes as far as two years ahead, so I’m already well into planning 2027 in my head. We're already in the middle of writing the next album and this one hasn't even come out yet! But that's the way you have to think, because everything that just pops up on your social media or pops up on a poster has probably been six to 12 months in the planning. We are always so far down the road, but one thing that I did want to do this year is just try and be more present in the moment and try and not kind of think, okay, what's next, what's next, what's next? And just appreciate what I've achieved. So that's one of my mantras this year. As much as I have to look forwards, just look out the window and enjoy the view.
With this album being your first on the label, how different have these final steps towards release been with Snakefarm backing rather than doing everything yourself?
Yeah, it's been amazing. I think the biggest part for me has been having that team to collaborate with. There's so much involved when it comes to releasing music. So much of it is honestly quite boring - it's very admin-based. Things like paid advertising on social media and marketing budgets, and, oh, what keywords do we have to use in this post? What time is the best? I'm not interested in any of that and that's why it's great to have a team of people that are like, we're going to take all this boring stuff that you hate and we're going to help grow. So to have, like, marketing and PR support, to have support with things like artwork. I had an incredible photographer do shoot the artwork, Frank Fieber, who’s worked with Harry Styles, and Snakefarm was able to pick up the phone and was able to pull him in for a favour. So it's been incredible to have that support and that collaboration and hopefully, moving forwards, it's going to allow me to just concentrate on the artistry, which is a wonderful thing.
Aside from the team at Snakefarm, it sounds like Alyssa Bonagura has been your absolute right-hand woman on this release. How important has she been?
She has been integral. I know for a fact I wouldn't have the album I have if it wasn't for her. I brought her on as a producer, and then, literally after such a short time with her, we started writing together. We co-wrote four songs on the album and I very quickly realised that I'd found a real soul sister in her. The way we think, the way we look at the world, the way we interpret music. She's just such a good person to be around, and I feel like she brings out the best in me. She allowed me to just run free and that's why I think some of my best writing and some of my best vocals and my best ideas are on this record, because she was just like, you just do you and let me take care of everything else. Her ear for musicality and for rhythms and for riffs and for instruments is just second to none. In such a male-dominated industry, she just came along and she was just such a badass, and she's absolutely rocked it, and I owe so much to her, I really do.
You were saying about that Nashville to UK stigma. She seems to split her time and loves the UK as much as Nashville. How does that feel?
Yeah, and I love that for her. If you sit down with Alyssa and ask her about her musical journey, she's really had such an incredible upbringing and life in Nashville. What's so lovely is that, you know, having met her now to be your fiancée here in England, she splits her time, and she loves the UK just as much as she loves Nashville, which is lovely. I quite often say to her, you know, you're mad, why wouldn't you want to be in Nashville? She says, what we're building here is just so exciting and so special, and it's, you know, it kind of makes me proud of the scene that we're building here.
Finally, how are you going to celebrate Thursday night and Friday daytime as the album comes out?
Gosh, do you know what, I haven't even thought about that. Usually Thursday nights, I listen to Bob Harris with a little whiskey, that's usually my go-to. So that's probably what I'll do. You know what, it's just that time of year where everyone's hibernating, we'll probably build a nice big coal fire, and I'll probably sit in my little safe bubble with my husband Lloyd, and just be like, it's out there, it's out in the world, and Friday will just be another day to everyone, but to me, it'll be like, nope, she's out there.
Are you someone who watches the statistics —where it's been listened to, how many streams have come in, noticing someone in Australia listened to it before you could?
It’s really hard to not get hung up on the numbers, my husband looks at that kind of thing and will suddenly come out with something like oh, do you know that one of your top countries is Argentina, or something like that, and I'll be like, really? Again, that;s where the label are great as they keep you updated on listening figures and download figures, and, you know, it's, yes, it's important, I'll be lying if I didn't say I didn't care about it, but I just, for me, I want people to love it. I want my Facebook and my Instagram to be flooded on Friday with messages from people going, we love this, this is so good, we can't wait to hear this live, that's what I'm excited for.
Well, roll on Friday. It's such a great next step for you to have finally got that deal and get your first album out there.
I can’t wait. Thank you so much.
‘All On Red’ is set for digital release via Snakefarm/Universal on January 23rd, with the CD & LP formats following on February 13th (the first time a Kezia record has been pressed onto vinyl) – available for pre-order here.
The ‘All On Red’ UK headline tour kicks off in February 2026, with Bonagura Special Guesting on all dates. Tickets are on sale now and available here.
‘ALL ON RED’ UK TOUR DATES
Tues 17th Feb – Brudenell, Leeds
Weds 18th Feb – Saint Luke’s, Glasgow
Thurs 19th Feb – Digital, Newcastle
Fri 20th Feb – Rock City, Nottingham
Sat 21st Feb – Club Academy, Manchester
Tues 24th Feb – Waterfront, Norwich
Weds 25th Feb – Islington Assembly Hall, London
Fri 27th Feb – Phoenix, Exeter
Sat 28th Feb – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Sun 1st Mar – The Lantern, Bristol
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
Yeah, it's been amazing. I think the biggest part for me has been having that team to collaborate with. There's so much involved when it comes to releasing music. So much of it is honestly quite boring - it's very admin-based. Things like paid advertising on social media and marketing budgets, and, oh, what keywords do we have to use in this post? What time is the best? I'm not interested in any of that and that's why it's great to have a team of people that are like, we're going to take all this boring stuff that you hate and we're going to help grow. So to have, like, marketing and PR support, to have support with things like artwork. I had an incredible photographer do shoot the artwork, Frank Fieber, who’s worked with Harry Styles, and Snakefarm was able to pick up the phone and was able to pull him in for a favour. So it's been incredible to have that support and that collaboration and hopefully, moving forwards, it's going to allow me to just concentrate on the artistry, which is a wonderful thing.
Aside from the team at Snakefarm, it sounds like Alyssa Bonagura has been your absolute right-hand woman on this release. How important has she been?
She has been integral. I know for a fact I wouldn't have the album I have if it wasn't for her. I brought her on as a producer, and then, literally after such a short time with her, we started writing together. We co-wrote four songs on the album and I very quickly realised that I'd found a real soul sister in her. The way we think, the way we look at the world, the way we interpret music. She's just such a good person to be around, and I feel like she brings out the best in me. She allowed me to just run free and that's why I think some of my best writing and some of my best vocals and my best ideas are on this record, because she was just like, you just do you and let me take care of everything else. Her ear for musicality and for rhythms and for riffs and for instruments is just second to none. In such a male-dominated industry, she just came along and she was just such a badass, and she's absolutely rocked it, and I owe so much to her, I really do.
You were saying about that Nashville to UK stigma. She seems to split her time and loves the UK as much as Nashville. How does that feel?
Yeah, and I love that for her. If you sit down with Alyssa and ask her about her musical journey, she's really had such an incredible upbringing and life in Nashville. What's so lovely is that, you know, having met her now to be your fiancée here in England, she splits her time, and she loves the UK just as much as she loves Nashville, which is lovely. I quite often say to her, you know, you're mad, why wouldn't you want to be in Nashville? She says, what we're building here is just so exciting and so special, and it's, you know, it kind of makes me proud of the scene that we're building here.
Finally, how are you going to celebrate Thursday night and Friday daytime as the album comes out?
Gosh, do you know what, I haven't even thought about that. Usually Thursday nights, I listen to Bob Harris with a little whiskey, that's usually my go-to. So that's probably what I'll do. You know what, it's just that time of year where everyone's hibernating, we'll probably build a nice big coal fire, and I'll probably sit in my little safe bubble with my husband Lloyd, and just be like, it's out there, it's out in the world, and Friday will just be another day to everyone, but to me, it'll be like, nope, she's out there.
Are you someone who watches the statistics —where it's been listened to, how many streams have come in, noticing someone in Australia listened to it before you could?
It’s really hard to not get hung up on the numbers, my husband looks at that kind of thing and will suddenly come out with something like oh, do you know that one of your top countries is Argentina, or something like that, and I'll be like, really? Again, that;s where the label are great as they keep you updated on listening figures and download figures, and, you know, it's, yes, it's important, I'll be lying if I didn't say I didn't care about it, but I just, for me, I want people to love it. I want my Facebook and my Instagram to be flooded on Friday with messages from people going, we love this, this is so good, we can't wait to hear this live, that's what I'm excited for.
Well, roll on Friday. It's such a great next step for you to have finally got that deal and get your first album out there.
I can’t wait. Thank you so much.
‘All On Red’ is set for digital release via Snakefarm/Universal on January 23rd, with the CD & LP formats following on February 13th (the first time a Kezia record has been pressed onto vinyl) – available for pre-order here.
The ‘All On Red’ UK headline tour kicks off in February 2026, with Bonagura Special Guesting on all dates. Tickets are on sale now and available here.
‘ALL ON RED’ UK TOUR DATES
Tues 17th Feb – Brudenell, Leeds
Weds 18th Feb – Saint Luke’s, Glasgow
Thurs 19th Feb – Digital, Newcastle
Fri 20th Feb – Rock City, Nottingham
Sat 21st Feb – Club Academy, Manchester
Tues 24th Feb – Waterfront, Norwich
Weds 25th Feb – Islington Assembly Hall, London
Fri 27th Feb – Phoenix, Exeter
Sat 28th Feb – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Sun 1st Mar – The Lantern, Bristol
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
