Sarah McGuinness Talks New Christmas Single, Her Voice And More

Vocalist Sarah McGuinness will release her new Christmas single ‘River’ and ‘No More Sad Songs (Christmas Everyday)’. She very kindly took time out of her busy London residency schedule to chat to us:

When did you begin songwriting?

I think probably about 10 years old, I remember making up poems and then I joined my words together with little tunes and melodies I had made up. I used to write my own lyrics to the tunes of songs I had learned at school too, I had forgotten that!

What is your earliest musical memory?

Hearing my mother and my aunts singing. And the huge effect of going to see The Marriage of Figaro which is full of catchy hooks! I didn’t feel able to sing Irish songs for a very long time, for complicated reasons that I explain in my show. Now I have learned to love them as part of my musical heritage and I embrace them.

Your new single ‘River’ is your take on the Joni Mitchell song and is released on 20th December 2024. When did you first hear the song and what made you want to record it?

I am not sure I can remember a time I didn’t know River! It’s so iconic and means a lot to so many of us, it’s become a Christmas right of passage! The simple answer of why I wanted to record it is because I love the song but there is another track on the release, my festive offering ‘Christmas Everyday (No More Sad Songs), they are the ends of the Christmas song spectrum, in every sense!

In addition, you also have ‘Christmas Everyday (No More Sad Songs)’ being released at the same time. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?

It’s my festive offering that I first released 8 years ago! It’s all about trying to find the joy of Christmas (no more sad songs!) when the people you love are far away from you. Musically it’s everything I love in a Christmas song, jingle bells, a lovely pop melody but with a jazzy and soulful edge, paying homage to Christmas songs past.

Where did you record the tracks and who produced them?

River was recorded in Dean Street Studios in Soho, London and was produced by John Soloway and myself. Dan Weinberg produced Christmas Everyday.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

River is a simple backstage shoot of me at my one woman show in London, so more thoughtful and nostalgic.

Recording sessions are always a big mix of creativity, producing, caffeine, singing, joy and exhaustion and River was no exception! I love working collaboratively in the studio and even though it’s earlier in the year the Christmas feeling catches and everyone has a great time.

‘Christmas Everyday (No More Sad Songs) is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

The filming for ‘No More Sad Songs’ was an insane video shoot, directed by David Baksh, using the sped up footage of a pretend talent contest in a village hall with a huge cast of great people from naughty choir boys to drunken partiers, dress up versions of George Michael, John and Yoko, Mariah and the rest all dancing furiously, It was so much fun despite the chaos.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We used a Hammond organ in the background and the grand piano they have at the studio but nothing complicated – it was all simple and pure, which suits the song.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas to me is really all about WHO you spend time with, making memories. We have the Christmas meal later which works well as then it’s just a gentle slide over to the piano, guitars, whisky and Guinness! It’s our own Christmas day party as an extended family, along with all the mad traditions, quirky presents and quality time that that entails.

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Don’t Let Our Love Go is a very happy one, and re-recording it with Gabe Roth from the Dap Kings in Brooklyn was such an uplifting and thrilling experience.

Most reflective would definitely be ‘Kiss You Better’, which is a thoughtful song where I’m reminiscing and looking back at love and life.

‘Glad You’re Gone’ is pure righteous rage and it’s so funny how it’s probably the most upbeat, it’s like my own ‘I Will Survive’ type song! I use it as the signature tune for my radio show in 242radio.com and it works perfectly.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I want people to be uplifted and happy and inspired! That’s three, is that okay?

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I’m Irish – but since leaving as a fresh faced teenager I’ve lived in the UK and America as well as having a home in Ireland. I go where the work takes me! London is where I live for work and friends and inspiration. In Ireland I would describe my town as naturally beautiful, historically significant and a place to think and create.

How do you look after your voice?

As many regular vocal lessons as I can manage, proper warm ups and cool downs, knowing your limitations but being willing to keep working on extending your range, quality of tone, stamina. I wear a scarf from about August to May too!

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?

Well after singing Kate Bush every night during the show it’s given me a new appreciation of the Bronte novels! Wuthering Heights is amazing and her song about it never before or since equalled, so inspiring what she did with that. So I’d love to write something for one of those, perhaps Jane Eyre?

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

The songs in my show include Kander and Ebb, Kurt Weill, David Bowie and Kate Bush. They have been my huge inspiration and it’s wonderful to get a chance to show them in their original form, and then my own songs in between.

At the moment I’m enjoying listening to Yebba, whom I discovered via Sofar Sounds, an excellent group of small concert organisers.

Do you have any UK/European live dates planned for 2024/2025?

The plan is to take my one woman show “Grit, Glitter and Gaslight’ to Australia, the US and then back to Europe. More news as I get it!

Do you have any further music releases planned for the 2024/2025?

I will be recording the final song of the show which is called ‘Strong’ as it’s had such an amazing reception every night .

What makes Sarah McGuinness happy and what makes you unhappy?

Singing makes me happy. Dishonesty makes me unhappy and walking away from that and other people’s dishonesty has freed me from unhappiness. I am so glad to have found my way back to it and to be finally living my life to the full. It’s all right there in my show!