Your album is called English Country Garden. Where does the name come from? "I was in the kitchen one day, doing the pots or something, and found myself singing that song – the kitchen looks out over the garden so that’s probably what made it come into my head.Ìý It just struck me then as a good title for the album and a way to describe what I do.Ìý
 | | Jenny in performance |
"It does sum up my music quite well. I’m an English folk singer but my music is definitely a crossover of all sorts and, in terms of influences that you can actually hear coming through, country music is the strongest. I’m very into alt country – Lucinda Williams, Wilco, that sort of thing. And a lot of bluegrass." It's being released on your own label. Why do it that way? "Well, the album was recorded at home – I like recording in my own time and in my own surroundings – so the label is just something to put it out on really. I certainly wouldn’t want to be on a label that wanted me to change my music in any way. "There are lots of smaller labels now that give you complete artistic control but, at the moment, I’m not on one of those – so this way is fine for now. It’s all very small scale stuff and I’m happy with that – I can make the music I want to and the people who I do get involved with are genuine and nice." There's a mix of the traditional and your own songs. Which do you prefer doing? "Both for sort of intertwined reasons. I find traditional songs really inspiring. I’m not someone who’s only ever listened to folk music but it’s always been a part of my life. I think, for me, it’s my love of reading and writing actually that draws me to these songs. They’re so involved and a perfect mix of being deeply personal and still drawing the listener in and making them feel involved.
 | | Jenny McCormick |
"I love writing my own songs and most of the musicians I hang around with are people who like to write. I guess it’s that – it’s the same as reading a good book or poetry to get your imagination and inspiration going." There's a version of the well-known folk favourite Blackwater Side on there. Why did you choose that song? "It’s one of my favourite songs ever. I love the bitter tone to the story and it’s also got this pulsating rhythm that’s really hypnotic. You can really play with it and it suits the lyrics so well. I know loads of people have done it but I just love it." You said live that Me I Prefer The Moon was about the curry house next to Fuel in Withington. Is that true? "No – but it is very good…" Your dad plays and records with you. What's it like working with him? | "I’m an English folk singer but my music is definitely a crossover of all sorts and country music is the strongest." | | Jenny on where the album title came from |
"It’s great, I mean we work really well together and he’s very talented. It’s nice working with someone you trust and who knows exactly where you’re coming from." Who are your musical heroes? "Ooh, I find it really hard to answer this question because once I’ve mentioned one person, I have to go on forever. Neil Young, for sure. Roy Harper. Shirley Collins. Millions of people and every week they’re different." There's little doubt that folk music is something that has been passed by until recently in Manchester. Why do you think there's a growing interest? "I think the main reason for it is that the scene in Manchester is just really good. There are lots of local promoters who put on folk gigs and nights, whether it be very trad or alternative or whatever you want to call it. "And the music scene in Manchester is so eclectic that the scene is really varied and interesting. Everyone is coming at folk music with different influences and experiences and musical backgrounds. Folk singers aren’t just playing at folk nights or folk venues either – there’s often all types of music being played at gigs and obviously a lot of crossover because it’s a city where people are just into live music – not just one scene - so they are always being introduced to music they might not have looked into themselves. "I mean, Manchester’s seen as being this big city, but it’s actually quite small in that once you’ve met someone, you just see them all the time and most of the musicians know each other. So there’s a big community feel around the whole acoustic/folk scene and a lot of it’s grown by word of mouth. It’s really nice." You played Cambridge Folk Festival very early on in your career. What was that like?
 | | Playing at the Cambridge Folk Festival |
"Getting on Cambridge really meant a lot to me. I was completely unknown and had no experience. Someone I respected taking a chance on me was a big thing for me. The festival itself was amazing, it always is, it’s just so well organised and the music’s brilliant." What does the future hold for you? "I’ve absolutely no idea. At the moment I’m enjoying playing some really nice gigs and meeting people along the way. It would be lovely to organise some trio gigs, so hopefully that’ll happen soon." English Country Garden is out on Square Peg Records. Jenny McCormick plays The Globe in Glossop with Jon Gomm on Saturday 5 May | 
