C2C Festival Q&A: Eric Paslay Edition

Our chat with Eric Paslay is the first segment of a four-part Q&A series ahead of the 2020 C2C Festival. See more from our series featuring Charles Esten (2/27), Abby Anderson (3/2), and Gabby Barrett (3/5) coming soon.

Eric Paslay is a professional when it comes to touring around Europe. The singer has performed abroad numerous times, even recording a live EP in Glasgow. The singer-songwriter will take another trip across the pond this spring to play for fans as part of C2C: Country To Country, also known as C2C Festival. He’ll then continue his run across Europe as part a tour headlined by popular UK country duo The Shires.

Before packing his bags and heading to the airport, Sounds Like Nashville caught up with the “Friday Night” singer to find out what he’s looking forward to most about playing to European fans, what it means to bring country music to the world at large and joining The Shires tour.

Check out our Q&A with Paslay before he heads abroad below.

C2C Festival kicks off on March 7 & 8 with stops in Amsterdam and Berlin. The festival continues with a large lineup of artists when it stops in London, Dublin and Glasgow on March 13, 14 and 15. Visit c2c-countrytocountry.com for more information.

Sounds Like Nashville: You’ve toured Europe several times before – how excited are you to return?

Eric Paslay: I’m always excited to return. Europe has great fans who appreciate great music and have given me some great memories. I can’t wait.

SLN: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s C2C Festival?

EP: Since I’ve had the opportunity to tour Europe so much lately, I’m excited to get back and see familiar faces now every time we go back.  I’m also excited to share the stage with some of Nashville’s biggest stars and start each show with Tenille Townes and Abby Anderson.

SLN: Have you noticed a difference between performing for European fans versus American fans? What would you say is the biggest difference?

EP: I’ve learned that we all listen to music differently and that seems to be based on where you’re from a little bit. I will say that I love how people in Europe listen to music, because they learn your entire album and then remind you of songs that may have been forgotten and they want to hear them live.

SLN: Is there something on your European bucket list that you’ve yet to do?

EP: Play a show in Italy. Cinque Terra specifically. That’s a special place for me. I’d love to see fans from everywhere travel there to experience a show.

SLN: Any travel tips for fans looking to head abroad?

EP: Don’t forget your passport!  Haha. Specifically though, try to travel outside of your comfort zone.  There are friendly people everywhere and some of the best experiences come from those situations.

SLN: Between Australia and Europe and the other international locations you’ve visited, country music continues to be on the rise. What does it mean to you to see the growth of the genre worldwide?

EP: I love it because it just gives me opportunity to travel the world doing what I love.  That growing excitement for county music just feeds my excitement to keep creating and putting out music that I love.

SLN: You’ll be performing in the UK, which is a big hub for country music fans. But you’ll also be visiting Amsterdam and Berlin on this trip, both of which seem to be emerging hot spots for the genre. Talk about your personal experience in witnessing the expansion and being a part of its growth.

EP: This will be my second trip to Amsterdam.  We had an amazing show last time kicking off my last European tour there.  It’s just a beautiful city with great people.  It’ll also be my third trip to Berlin and into Germany.  It’s amazing to see people there getting excited about the music I’m making.  It’s just been a blast to see each of those cities and have opportunity to create new fans each time I visit.

SLN: After C2C, you’ll be joining The Shires on their tour. What is your relationship with them? And what are you most looking forward to?

EP: Ben and Crissie are awesome! Nashville is where I first met them, but I know Ben a little more because we’ve written some songs together. I’m looking forward to catching some more songs on this tour with them and sharing some memories with them and the fans!

SLN: Obviously they have a huge following as they are from Europe. How does it feel to be chosen as their direct support and perform for their fans?

EP: Wow! If you tell any booking agent in Nashville that you want to tour in the UK they will tell you to try and get on a tour with The Shires. So you can imagine I was thrilled when Ben asked me to come out on the road with them. I’m glad the timing lined up so perfectly and so, so happy that they asked!

SLN: Can we expect any collaborations, either on stage or off, during your time on the road together?

EP: Collaboration? We shall see! You never know what might happen at a Shires show!

SLN: What else can fans expect from you this year?

EP: New music, new music, new music!  I’m wrapping up in the studio and will be trying to get new songs out to the fans as soon as possible!