Michele Stodart of The Magic Numbers tells Tim Hughes she is drawing strength from going it alone and baring her emotions – despite missing her bandmates

The Magic Numbers were one of the most recognisable bands of the last decade.

The mellow country-pop act, made up of two brothers and sisters – Michele and Romeo Stodart, and Angela and Sean Gannon – had immense fame with their Top 10 double-platinum-selling eponymous debut album and cranked out three follow-ups, all distinguished by those summery melodies and familial melodies.

These days bassist Michele is doing her own thing – being on temporary leave from the Mercury-nominated band – and has an acclaimed solo album, Pieces, to show for her efforts.

The record follows the success of her solo debut, Wide-Eyed Crossing, four years ago, and finds her giving full rein to her influences. She showcases it with an intimate gig at Fat Lil’s in Witney tonight. 

“With your first album, it’s very much a matter of planting your flag in the ground, assembling the best songs you’ve got, and saying, ‘Here I am’,” she says.

“With this one though, I could start thinking about something more narrated and focus on the storytelling a bit more.

“There was never a plan to start making solo records, but then something happens. 

“The songs you’ve been writing just for yourself, while playing in a completely different band, take on a life of their own. Before you know it, you’re walking on to a stage where there’s just one mic stand, one monitor and no drums. And you’ve no clear recollection of what got you there!”

She insists it was a matter of getting tone and texture right. One of the earliest songs to take shape on the record was Something About You, which set the emotional temperature for much of what followed – with her writing most of the songs away from her guitar – only setting them to chord sequences later – having earned their place on the record by sticking in her head.

She admits her experiences with relationships – good and otherwise – have underscored her work. Songs such as When Is It Over? will strike a chord with anyone who ended an abusive relationship only to realise that the underlying insecurities which propelled them there in the first place are still there.

“I used to seek out darkness, perhaps thinking that I would write better songs as a result of it,” she says. “But really, you don’t have to seek it. It’s all around us.”

Another song, Ain’t No Woman, is her twist on country anthems such as Tammy Wynette’s Stand By Your Man or Dolly Parton’s Jolene – only hers takes the opposite point of view.

“It’s a song about someone who’s finally standing up for herself and putting her foot down,” she says. “There’s a strength and determination in it, a self-respect that the character is almost taunting her lover with.

It’s a heady mix of heartbreak and emotional strength. “The more precious the love you find, the greater the fear and awareness of the forces that conspire to take it away,” she says, explaining the background to another song, Just Anyone Won’t Do.

Her tender study of loss serves as a reminder that the longer and more loving the relationship, the greater the grief that follows it: “There’s a place to the left of you, still cold and un-laid in. The bed’s all made up,” she sings barely disguising her heartbreak. So how does it feel having a second album out? “It feels really exciting!” she says.

“It wasn’t really a plan to put out another album, because the first one was so personal and literally broke me in many ways.

“I didn’t know if I wanted put myself through it all again. But I think I’d drive myself mad now to not make more records. Plus I can feel each gig and album gaining confidence and can now feel the belief behind it and that’s quite amazing to watch something grow like that.” 

How different is it working on her own, as opposed to with her brother and the band?

“It’s really different,” she says. “It’s a very solitary thing, being a solo artist. Sometimes I hate it because you’ve not got that gang to back you up, hold your hair back on messy nights or just keep you company. I’m in the best band in the world.”

Did she ever feel at all held back when working with the band? “God no! Not at all,” she says defiantly. “I play bass, co-write with Romeo, sing harmonies and tour all over the world. I’ve learned so much from being in the band that I count myself very lucky to have been given the time and experience I’ve had over the last 10 years and that just continues.

“The guys are really supportive. They even come up on stage with me sometimes.” 

So will she be getting back with The Magic Numbers? “We’ve done a bunch of festivals this year as a band, but we’ve intentionally not done any touring as we’ve been in the studio writing and recording album number five.

“We plan to release this early next year, so I’ll be doing as much solo music as possible.

“I’ve got the buzz for it now... and loads of songs in the old suitcase.”

Fat Lil’s is typical of the more intimate venues she is touring. Does she prefer them to the big venues and festivals she played with The Magic Numbers?

“I’m a bit greedy when it comes to this as I absolutely love playing festivals and huge gigs with the band, where I can have my double orange bass stack behind me and jump around on the drum riser, throwing some serious rock shapes.

“But I also really love the intimacy and pin-drop moments in a tiny room in the basement of a bar some place I’ve never heard of before. I still get nervous, with adrenaline running through my veins at both settings.”
What else is exciting her musically? “Writing with other songwriters and musicians, also playing with various musicians along the way,” she says.

“Every night the songs take on new arrangements. It’s really challenging.”
And, she says country music remains a deep inspiration. “I know there’s a huge folk scene going on here at the moment, but basically if the music can make me feel something real and I can believe in the artist and know it’s coming from the right place deep inside, then I’ll listen.

“Old country music is always close to heart.” 

So what can we expect from the Witney show? “To be honest, I’m not quite sure myself yet!” she laughs. “There’ll be three of us on stage. Raevennan Husbandes is supporting, playing and singing with me, and there will be songs from the new album, and some from the debut, filled with sweet harmonies, heartbreaking lyrics, and me mumbling into the mic and giggling to myself a few times.

"It’s gonna be killer!”

  • Michele Stodart plays Fat Lil's in Corn Street, Witney, tonight.
  • Tickets £11 including booking fee from wegottickets.com or £12 on the door.