This week, Cardiff based country artist KRYSTAL MILLS talks to ANDY HOWELLS

Who are you and where do you originate from?

I am Krystal Mills, from Cardiff – singer/songwriter/acoustic guitarist

How long have you been performing?

I have been singing professionally with my acoustic guitar for a year and am now with a new band too, called Krystal & The Rhinestones, and we are busy rehearsing for gigs inMay.

We practice at Soundspace recording studios every Tuesday as we all have other commitments and usually have just one long night of practicing hard and love to jam together.

I began to sing at 17 in talent shows and after winning a few regionals I decided to teachmyself guitar fromYouTube – took me 10 days to learn the basic chords and then the songwriting and melodies just didn’t stop from then onwards.

My first song called Waiting for you even reached number one in the Unsigned Top Charts back in Jan- Feb 2012 which made me to decide to make this a full-time career.

I finished my L3 hairdressing course last summer and swapped myhairbrush for a mic. I love performing on stage and watching people’s reactions to my songs.

How would you describe your style of music?

Contemporary Country, but I do play covers of other artists such as Jessie J, Katy Perry, U2, Coldplay, Adele, and Take That, etc, as well as myfavourite country bands Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Leann Rimes, etc.

What’s your best live experience so far?

It was wicked playing at Cardiff Mardi Gras 2012. I got to perform on the Admiral stage to thousands of people and mingled with celebrities such as the great Heather Small.

Sometimes I perform at the Globe Theatre in Cardiff as a support to artists such as the Thomas Nicholas Band (fromAmerican Pie) and last year I also played at Peterborough Arena for an international car festival.

However I also love to perform to smaller crowds, and feel I can interact more with the public when I can see their faces.

What are you working on at the moment?

I launchedmyfirst albumon March 20 called Rodeo Clown with 12 tracks, including seven originals andam working onmysecond albumand single Bang Bang Bang frommy first albumwith the band. The albumis available to buy on itunes, spotyfy, Amazon and all the usual digital distribution sites – I have direct links to them on my website krystalmills.com

Where can we catch you live?

Every Wednesday I perform at Soda Bar, Mill Lane, Cardiff and update my Facebook page withmyweekly gigs as well as list them and my songlist on my website too.

I am looking forward to performing at Stourbridge festival in the summer andamin discussions with other festivals at the moment.

I was looking forward to performing at the Rockfield Country Music Festival near Monmouth in June, but for health reasons the organisers have cancelled. It is such a shame as it would be the fourth and a great buzz with everyone dressed as cowboys and indians.

Keep in touch and hear KRYSTA L MILLS online:
 

  • facebook.com/krystal.j.mills
  • twitter: @thekrystalmills
  • reverbnation.com/krystalmills
  • krystalmills.com