Shire State of Consciousness

“A lot of people associate country music with rhinestone and cowboys,” says Crissie Rhodes of The Shires, pausing from her relentless schedule to have a few words with us. “I think that is still the case in America. But for Ben and I, that wasn’t something we could relate to over on this side of the water. So we’re just singing about things that affect us, rather than things that happened in the past in another country. I think that’s why so many people in the UK have started to relate to it – we’re trying to write more grown up country songs.”

Part of The Shires’ appeal is in their ability to cross country music with elements of rock and pop, taking advantage of the renaissance that country is enjoying with the youth of America.

Hailing from Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, the band were accused of lacking substance when they started out. However, they quickly got the respect they deserved after Radio 2 began playing their demos, introducing them as England’s “brand new country act”, and opening doors for them in America.

“When we first started, everyone thought it was a joke that we wanted to make a career out of country music,” says Crissie. “But Ben and I really believed in ourselves and our music. And to have found each other, living so close, was really fortunate. We were just on this process as soon as we met. We started to sing together, and then we moved on to writing and recording. Every step felt natural but surreal at the same time.”

Surreal is the right term for the occasion, seeing as My Universe became the fastest selling UK country album of all time only a matter of weeks ago.

With a full touring schedule laid out for the next few months, Crissie reveals that the plan is to push their music Stateside.

“Last year we performed at the Grand Ole Opry, which is the Mother Church of country music over in Nashville,” she says. “Every great country musician has performed there, from Dolly Parton to Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn; a whole hoard of the best country musicians. So for us to be asked to perform was absolutely mind-blowing. But we haven’t been out enough to really crack America yet. We’re touring the UK and Ireland in November and December. Then we’re heading out to Australia and America as well, because our plan is to try and break ground in as many places as possible. Now feels like the right time to do that, with our new album being a bit more universal.”

Trying to break into the world of country music may have been an uphill struggle for The Shires in other parts of the world, but Crissie is keenly aware of the Irish love for her genre.

“We performed with Nathan Carter and went on his show last year,” she notes. “That’s where we realised just how avid some of the fans are, so I’m really excited to go back to Ireland. We go over there for our shows, and I love that people still do all the dancing and wear the boots and the checkered shirts.”

Rural Ireland’s voracious appetite for country music, it would appear, is gaining an international reputation. Tickets for The Shires are selling fast so get yours quickly to avoid disappoint – and let’s all hope that this widely loved country act can play in Ireland and not cause a national scandal!

My Universe is out now on Decca. The Shires play the Limelight, Belfast on November 15 and the Academy, Dublin (16).