Alana Springsteen Talks ‘Black Sheep’, New Album Era & Double European Return

Alana Springsteen chats with LiveWithLP in Glasgow ahead of her C2C performance.

She's one of those artists who pours her heart, soul and memories into songs, and fresh off announcing a new album, new single and European tour - Alana Springsteen is back in Glasgow talking to LiveWithLP at C2C, talking all things new beginnings. 

Alana, I feel like I’ve been able to get you at the best time to chat. So many new announcements from you and your team, how are you finding the buzz? 

Oh, today is a big day, we have announced so many things - a new single, a new album which is coming out later this year and a tour, which means I’ll be back in Glasgow later in the summer. 

The new single, Black Sheep, tells me about it.

I’ve always been the black sheep of my family, my whole life. I grew up in a really small town where all my cousins by this time were married with two kids, and I just always felt different. I was the odd one out - I knew I wanted to travel and I had these crazy big dreams - I told my parents when I was 9 years old that I wanted to be a country music artist and they were like… okay, here we go! They supported me my whole way through, and I have so much gratitude for my parents. I wouldn’t be here today if they hadn’t poured into my dreams by taking me to Nashville. 

With Black Sheep - this was the first time I really embraced that title and owned it. I think if I had written this two years ago, it would have been kind of an insecure plea to be understood and to be loved, but instead, I wrote this song as kind of like an anthem, like - you know what - yeah, I am different, I don’t fit in - but that’s okay.

Listening to it the first few times really hit home about carving your own way and being like, yes, this is my dreamland, this is how I’m moving forward. It did seem like a bit of a turning point in your sound - is this a taste as to what the new album will be like - a possible new era? 

I love that! Yes, it is very much so. I would say that this album has been my roadmap through the last two years, and not to get too deep, but this has been the most transformative of my life. I mean, I’ve been going to therapy for the first time and starting to heal my inner child and to come to terms with some of the roles I was handed growing up that weren’t necessarily mine to carry, and choosing to set some boundaries and break some cycles and move forward with my life. 

I’m standing from in my convictions and who I am and instead of just following the script, these songs have served as a mirror for me - throughout the record you hear it go from more insecure and broken to confident and empowered - owning who I am and I hope it gives people courage to go on that journey for themselves too because it is so worth it. 

I love that! I think, especially with country music, in my opinion, it is one of the best storytelling genres there is. You can take any story and pull it into music. With the topics of your music, do you get a lot of fans messaging you about how they relate? 

Oh all the time, I would say the most messages like that I got was from Note to Self - even compared to what i have released in the past, its so personal and I think the more scared you are to say something, the more it needs to be said and I’ve noticed the songs where I’m like “nobody is going to get this” - such as chameleon - that's a song without fail people reference and go “thats me!” so when I felt alone in those feelings, it just shows that we’re all more alike and connected than we realise. 

That’s certainly a theme in your music, seeing snapshots throughout your life, and it excites me for the next release - how is the rollout of the album looking? Are there planned single releases in advance? 

We’re deciding it as we go; we have no plan, haha. I’ve been intentional with this album as it is the most important one to me. I’ve spent the last two years pouring myself into this music, into this season. And I wanted to be able to offer people something that was really thought out and complete, so they can also go on that journey. There are still a few songs to come before the record, but we’re gonna keep unfolding the story chapter by chapter. 

Buckle up, because there’s a lot!

I’m invested already! What a year it’s set to be already for you, and we will be seeing you back in Glasgow in July! 

Yes, I’m coming back to Europe, y’all! You have the most incredible venues over here - cathedrals, churches and intimate venues - we don’t get that back home. It truly blows my mind! Ever since I first came over to Glasgow, I have fallen in love with you guys. You always make me feel so welcome, and I have been wanting to do a headline tour over here for a long time, so I listened, and we got you! 

It’s an exciting time to be a woman in the country scene at the moment - we recently saw the likes of Ella and Megan break records. How does it feel to be releasing music in this era? 

Oh, it’s an honour! I’m so proud to be one of the women in the country - we’ve got such a legacy, such a history of these strong women who just unapologetically told their story. Those girls inspired me growing up, and now it’s crazy to be part of that inspiring generation, but also incredibly exciting to be a woman in the country music scene. 

And more to come! 2026 is going to be a whirlwind for you with the album out on May 29th

This is also the first time I get to release a vinyl which can be pre-ordered. I've never gotten to do that, so I’m kind of geeking out about it! 

One question I ask everyone I speak to, who is someone from back home or in your playlists that may not have made their mark over the pond yet that I should be listening to? 

I absolutely love Joshua Sloane; he is an incredible recording artist - the songwriting is just incredible. I’m a songwriter at heart, so I always look for the story and the depth, and he definitely has got that. 

Alana Springsteen - I HOPE THIS HELPS - out May 29th - available to pre-order now.