Lucy McWilliams

“Bursting with youth,” reads a YouTube comment underneath Lucy McWilliams’ music video for Runaway. This really couldn’t be more accurate.

As the song opens and we follow the protagonist on her route through urban green spaces and the juxtaposing concrete of Mehringdamm train station, the excitement and freedom of being young and in Berlin is infectious. The chorus kicks in, and we arrive at the canal, where the sun and Lucy’s friends are beaming. Hugs and beers are exchanged, rollies and photos are made and then the gang are on their way. After a quick pitstop at the Späti, they arrive in Tempelhofer Feld, and are filmed running around — singing and dancing until the sun sets — as Lucy’s melodic harmonies play in the background.

The video is so much fun, and the singer tells me the playful aspect that shines through is attributed to the fact that all of the people featured are friends of hers. “It’s so much nicer to share these kind of things with people,” she tells me. “There’s no point doing it without your friends.”

Working with friends and other artists has been a massive part of Lucy’s musical trajectory. A few years ago, she was approached by rising star on the Irish rap scene, Malaki, who heard her singing and thought she’d be perfect to feature on his song, J.A.C.K. “I had never collaborated with anyone before,” Lucy says. “I’d only ever written alone, and I felt so much pressure because this meant so much to someone. I didn’t want to do it wrong.” Clearly though, Malaki was impressed by Lucy’s contribution, because the pair have continued to work together alongside producer Matthew Harris. Their most recent track has been a resounding success, and has hit over a million plays on Spotify since its release earlier this year.

Collaboration is a big factor when it comes to writing with her own band, too. A student at BIMM, Lucy has had the opportunity to meet some very talented musicians since she’s been in Berlin, and feels lucky to have found Sebastian (bass), Riccardo (keys), Victor (guitar) and Nic (drums). Lockdown was a creative process for the 5-piece, as they relocated to to Dublin and settled into writing music for a whole month. Much like with Malaki and Matthew, Lucy clicked instantaneously with her band, which is clear to see in the live streams they’ve been partaking in over lockdown. Just like the video for Runaway, the energy coming through the laptop screen when watching their Hotpress Lockdown Session, in particular, is palpable, and I’m excited to see them play live when they eventually can.