Brighton-born singer-songwriter Gina Larner has always lived in the in-between. Her music sits at the crossroads of Americana, pop-rock, and UK country—a blend that feels both familiar and fresh. Since first stepping onto open mic stages in 2018, she’s carved out a space in the UK country scene with her distinctive twang, sharp lyricism, and a debut album, Something Good (2023), that earned a British Country Music Association Album of the Year nomination.
“I still love pop music and I still listen to rock and I love Americana.” — Gina Larner
Early Influences: From Taylor Swift to Stevie Nicks
Like many of her generation, Gina’s first brush with country came through Taylor Swift.
“Taylor Swift! I was 12 or 13 when Speak Now came out and that really grew on me.”
But her influences stretch beyond Nashville. Stevie Nicks, KT Tunstall and Kate Bush—artists who embody atmosphere and storytelling—shaped her approach to songwriting. The result is a sound that feels rooted in country but unafraid to wander into rock and pop textures.
Debut Album: Something Good
- Released: March 2023
- Tracks: 11 original songs
- Recognition: Nominated for BCMA Album of the Year
Writing From the Heart (and Sometimes Anger)
Gina’s songs are deeply personal, often born from raw emotion.
“My process for writing lyrics is kinda from people I’m mad at. I write about people or situations I’ve been in. It comes from describing the situation or the person, how I feel about it, and then hopefully forms a song at the end.”
That honesty has become her hallmark—songs that feel lived-in, relatable, and unflinchingly real.
Navigating the UK Country Scene
As a UK artist, Gina is acutely aware of the cultural differences between British and American country.
“UK country is a lot softer. Context is different—you know, we don’t have guns, we don’t go shooting, and that is quite a lot of country music! British country has different vibes.”
Rather than seeing this as a limitation, she embraces it, leaning into the unique perspective of British storytelling.
Championing Women in Music
One of Gina’s proudest achievements is forming an all-female band. What began as a hope for “at least one woman in the band” grew organically into a full line-up of women musicians.
“It came one by one really, which is fun. Someone suggested someone else, and then another girl suggested the other girl, and so eventually I managed to get all three.”
She admits that being a woman in the industry can be more challenging, but she’s determined to create space for female voices.
“I have an all-female band that I’m really proud of. You do notice differences [in the way people treat us], but you hold your own. I’m a bit ‘Mama bear’ with the girls.”
Festival Highlights and Embarrassing Moments
From intimate venues to festival stages, Gina has already built a catalogue of memorable performances.
She laughs when recalling her set at The Long Road Festival:
“I had to change my boots—my tassel top kept getting stuck in the gems. That will always be memory slash embarrassment that wakes me up at 2:00am!”
But it’s The British Country Music Festival that stands out as a career milestone: opening the main stage in the same year Kezia Gill headlined.
Dream Collaborations
- Taylor Swift (the ultimate dream)
- Morganway
- Elles Bailey
- Emerging UK country artists
- US acts “because they’re so fun”
Looking Ahead
With Something Good establishing her as one of the UK’s most exciting new voices, and with a stream of singles being released, Gina is optimistic about the future of country music on this side of the Atlantic.
“The growing popularity of having snippets of country in all genres is great. I hope it grows more.”
For Gina Larner, the future is wide open—rooted in Brighton, inspired by Nashville, and carried forward by her own fearless storytelling.
About the Artist
Gina Larner is a Brighton-born singer-songwriter whose music blends Americana, pop-rock, and UK country influences. Since 2018 she’s built a reputation for honest, emotionally charged songwriting and standout live performances. Her debut album Something Good (2023) was nominated for British Country Music Association Album of the Year, cementing her as one of the most exciting new voices in UK country.
