Louise McCraw (Goodnight Louisa) Talks New Album, Single And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Laura Meek
Supercooled synth-noir concept, Louise McCraw (Goodnight Louisa) scuffs the surface of Hollywood glamour and takes to heart the pain, fear and loathing hidden by the limelight on latest single, ‘Drew Barrymore’ from her second album, ‘Marathon’. With the Deluxe Edition released on Friday 14th November 2025, it felt like the perfect time for a chat:
What is your earliest musical memory?
My earliest musical memory was probably playing guitar with my dad. He would come up with the chords and I’d come up with words. I also remember begging him to teach me how to play ‘Hey Joe’ by Jimi Hendrix. Spent many a night trying to master that bend! Still haven’t…
When did you begin songwriting?
I started songwriting properly in my early teens. I guess I didn’t set out to write fully fledged songs but it just kind of happened. I used to love writing stories and would sometimes write pages upon pages of some situation I’d dreamt up. I would take them into school, a new edition every week, and hope that my teacher would read it. Over time these stories became songs, and as I grew older, I learnt how to pull inspiration from my own experiences.
You have your second album ‘Marathon’ released on Friday 14th November 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
After releasing the first record back in 2022. I really wanted to take my time with this next record. Make it as good as I could. I was excited to fully produce another record and see what direction it would take me.
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
The record was recorded in my flat in my living room mostly. The record is also self-produced. Jonny Scott played live drums on the record which we recorded at his house. There is also a couple of additional engineering parts recorded at Knockwood Studios in Leith by Jolon Yeoman. But the majority was recorded in the flat in Glasgow. It was mixed and mastered by Kristofer Harris (Belle & Sebastian, Ghostpoet)
Do you have any interesting or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
Actually, sadly the first drum recording session I had with Jonny, I got a call from my parents to tell me that my dog had died. I was absolutely distraught, but I had not long met Jonny and was a bit embarrassed that I burst out in tears at our first session…
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
There was a lot synths. Yamaha DX7 features a lot, Prophet Sequential was a big feature, a lot of 12-string guitar. Big Moog bass sounds. I tried my hand at the accordion as well for one of the tracks ‘Michael’. It’s completely doused in reverb so you can’t hear my shoddy playing. All the vocals were recorded on a Shure sm7b.
Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
I think the happiest track is probably, weirdly enough, ‘Michael’, despite its solemn tone. It’s really about being filled with love and feeling like you are carrying on someone’s good and kind nature in everything you do.
My angriest…was probably the last track that was written for the album ‘You Don’t Know How To Make Love’. I won’t say too much but I was going through this crazy event, which ended up turning into a full-blown court case, when I was finishing this track, and I was very angry at the world.
Most reflective…’Polaroids From Malta’ probably, hence its placement as the closing track on the album. It was a kind of message to myself and to someone I love very much, that things need to change.
Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?
Jonny Scott (Chvrches, The Kills) played live drums, Zoe Graham, a fellow alt pop artist, played strings and Craig McMahon (Fat suit, Josef) played brass.
Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?
The title of the album came from a line in one of the tracks of the record called ‘Michael’. The line being ‘you broke your legs in marathons’. In all honesty, making this whole record felt like a marathon, and the meaning behind that line is that you keep going no matter what, no matter how hard things get, you will get to the end.
Was it a difficult album to write?
I don’t feel like it was difficult to write, but it did take a long time. The songs came easily but there was a lot refining and saving up to get things mastered, the record was mixed in stages, so things did move quite slowly but that in turn gave me time to revise songs again and again.
Who designed the album artwork?
The photograph was taken on the video shoot for the single ‘Jennifer Aniston’. It was taken by Charlotte Cullen.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I was born in Edinburgh, but I grew up in Port Seton (Cockenzie) just outside of Edinburgh. Five words: Beautiful, old, salty, quiet, characterful
How do you look after your voice?
I try to warm up a little before performing live… I should be doing more really!
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?
I’m playing. Album launch instore at Assai Records, Glasgow on the 26th of September. Instore at Assai Records, Edinburgh on the 28th of September SWN festival in Wales on the 18th of October. Live at Leeds on the 15th of November.
But plans for more live dates coming very soon!
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I’ve downsized a lot over the years of performing, but my current guitar set up is: Fender Jaguar (heavy but trusty), Strymon Big Sky, Vibrato and electro harmonix ‘Pog’.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
I would love to do a score for any Stephen King novel, they are all fantastic, but I think probably all are already taken!
You have also released the single ‘Drew Barrymore’. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?
Drew Barrymore was one of those songs that just comes together all in one go – the chorus came first, and the line ‘wide-eyed American girl’ which was the original song title, at first it was Shelley Devall who sprung to mind, who had these beautiful big wide eyes. I wanted to write about the dark side of fame, and how it can make or break someone. I later settled on calling the song “Drew Barrymore” after her role as Casey Becker in 1996 thriller ‘Scream’.
The verses sort of veer off in a different direction. A big inspiration for the verses was actually my grandparents, my dad’s parents. My grandfather was an actor, and one of the roles I remember him performing was Francis Fryer in Calamity Jane. I think he ended up in full drag and getting a pie in the face. The song all comes together to celebrate a love for show-business and the silver screen, but also as an anthem for protecting women and young girls across all creative industries.
Is the single accompanied by a visualiser?
The single is accompanied by a full-length music video directed by award-winning director and writer Jagoda Tłok. It was filmed in Aberfeldy in Scotland Filmography by Fiann Macleod.
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Madonna, St. Vincent, Hot Chip, Kate Bush, The Depeche Mode. I’ve really been enjoying Katy J Pearson’s last record ‘Someday, Now’.
What makes Goodnight Louisa happy and what makes you unhappy?
A pint of Guinness in a pub next to a fireplace with a cute dog = happy
Fork scraping on a plate = unhappy
Feature Image Photo Credit: Laura Meek
Goodnight Louisa’s second album, ‘Marathon Deluxe Edition’ is released on Friday 14th November 2025.
Her single ‘Drew Barrymore’ is out now.
Listen Here: https://lnk.to/DrewBarrymore-Single
Supporting the release of the album and combining standalone live shows and special, intimate in-store appearances, all upcoming Goodnight Louisa dates are as follows:
- Fri 26 Sep: Glasgow, Assai Records
- Sun 28 Sep: Edinburgh, Assai Records
- Sat 18 Oct: Cardiff, Swn Festival
- Sat 15 Nov: Leeds, Live at Leeds Festival
For the most up-to-date information on Goodnight Louisa, including future live dates and new music releases, connect online at:
www.instagram.com/goodnightlouisa
https://x.com/goodnightlouisa
https://www.facebook.com/goodnightlouisa
