Last month, Courtney Hadwin released her latest single Spellbound, which she wrote and produced with Kevin Bowe and is the first single from her long-awaited debut album, and a music video was released alongside the song. At the end of 2024, Courtney performed live versions of songs at Metropolis Studios, and she is currently in the process of arranging a tour, with a show already booked at the Fiddler’s Elbow in London on May 30th. Courtney was a finalist on The Voice Kids UK in 2017 on Team Danny Jones, and since went on to be a contestant on America’s Got Talent in 2018, and the following year, she was invited to take part in America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Answering our questions, Courtney told us about her latest single release Spellbound, writing and producing alongside Kevin Bowe and being a finalist on The Voice Kids UK in 2017.

On 21st February, you released your latest single Spellbound, can you tell us about the song?

Spellbound wasn’t actually supposed to be a part of my first album. I flew to Minneapolis thinking we had our album, we had our singles and then at the end of our trip, we had two/three days left so we said let’s write some stuff! Then there came Spellbound. Back home I was kind of going through a situationship, it wasn’t healthy and was quite toxic. I was really ignoring the red flags because I was that smitten over them and that definitely became the meaning of the song.

How long were you working on Spellbound and how was it hearing the completed track for the first time?

We didn’t expect Spellbound to make the album let alone actually become a single so it was very weird how it became one of our favourite songs from the album. The first time I heard the track back I was like this has got to be on the album, I loved it.

The song was written and produced with Kevin Bowe, what is it like writing music and having a creative partnership with him?

Kevin Bowe is just amazing! We met through musical friends and we wrote a few things together and the friendship kind of just grew with the music. He totally gets me and wants me to create the music I want to create! It just works!!!

What was it like filming the music video for the release and seeing the fan response to the single?

It was so cool! The team in France were just amazing and knew exactly how to bring the vision of the song to life! The reaction from my followers has just been amazing and everyone has loved it! I was a little scared as this album is a lot more personally-written and I have been very vulnerable with the songwriting so it’s scary but very exciting.

Spellbound is your first single off your long-awaited debut album, what are you looking forward to for the album release?

It’s been four to five years of just writing and recording so actually getting to the point where I can share this project with the world is very exciting. I didn’t think we would get to the point of actually being able to show people.

How have you found the experience writing and recording your debut album?

It’s definitely been a mix of emotions. There has been days where it has been so stressful but not in a bad way more because I want it to be perfect!

Who do you think your music will appeal to and how would you describe your sound?

I don’t like to place myself just into one genre. I don’t listen to just one genre of music and I believe if a song makes you feel good, it makes you feel good. I think my album shows that I didn’t want to just do an album where every song is exactly the same sound!

How was it performing live versions of songs at Metropolis Studios at the end of last year?

It was surreal. The amount of legends that have sang in that building and I was standing there doing the same thing, so crazy!!! The building was unreal too!

In 2019, you were a contestant on America’s Got Talent: The Champions, having been a finalist on America’s Got Talent the year before, what did you enjoy most about being involved with the series?

It was just so cool to be considered to be on the show with some amazing contestants and everyone was so kind and generous. I loved being able to perform an original song and show I was an artist!

What are some of your favourite memories from your time as a contestant on The Voice Kids UK in 2017 and reaching the final in Team Danny Jones?

I made some really good friends and still speak to a few of the finalists now eight years later! I think it really helped with my confidence and at that age I was really needed to be told ‘you have something’. Especially when I wasn’t the stereotypical pop singer.

Where does your love of music come from and how did you get into it?

I’ve always loved music! About nine/ten years old was the age I was asking my parents for singing lessons and it kind of just went from there of learning about different types of music and different sounds. I used to spend hours of the day just scrolling through searches finding artists like James Brown and Janis Joplin.

Do you have any favourite music artists to listen to?

At the minute I’m loving Teddy Swims, he’s just such a vibe and his voice gives me goosebumps.

How do you like to spend your free time?

My full life is just eating, sleeping, music and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are you hoping this year brings for you and do you have any live shows or further music plans apart from your album that you can tell us about?

We are talking about tour and have confirmed a few dates. I’ve just confirmed my first show in London for May 30th at the Fiddler’s Elbow and I’m so excited to get back on the stage and start performing again with my own original music.

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