Two Ways Home are riding high on the UK country scene, and their latest interview gives us a fascinating glimpse into life on tour, the songwriting process, and the challenges (and triumphs) of being independent artists. With their signature blend of dreamy pop production and lyrical charm, the duo—Vienna transplant Isabella Folkner and Gloucestershire native Lewis Folkner—continue to redefine alt-country in Britain.
Taking the Round Up on the Road and a New Home
For years, Two Ways Home’s Writers’ Round project, “The Round Up”, has been an intimate London-based celebration of Nashville-style songwriting. Recently, the duo decided it was time to take the show on the road. As Lewis explains, “We were loving hosting in London. We moved from venue to venue, but we have so many great acts all up and down the country that we love playing with. We always wanted to take it on the road… and we’ve done two really good tours of it.”
Isabella adds, “And it was also just the fact that when we’re taking on tour, it means that more people can come to the shows because not everyone lives in London. It was nice to give people the opportunity to see the Round Up wherever they are—whether that’s Glasgow, Manchester or beyond.” With stops in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Newcastle already under their belt, the duo’s ambition is clear. “We don’t want to be too London centric. No, we’re global people!” says Lewis, hinting at future plans that might even take them to Ireland or further north in Scotland.
Looking ahead, the duo are excited about their new home for The Round Up—a space at the Cumberland Hotel (formerly the Hard Rock Hotel) in London’s Marble Arch area. “We had a really successful first show there and it was a big success despite a few teething difficulties,” says Lewis. Isabella teases an upcoming date: “We’re gonna try and do it every two months. So the next one will be on the 6th of August.”
Dream Guests, Wild Nights
Having hosted incredible artists like Lainey Wilson, Twinnie, and Charlie Worsham over the years, Two Ways Home aren’t shy about naming their dream Round Up guests.
“The most famous is definitely Lainey Wilson!” declares Isabella, while Lewis enthusiastically adds, “I’d love to have Sacha Skarbek on the Round Up. For context, this is the guy who penned Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ along with tracks for James Blunt and Adele. So Sasha, if you see this and fancy a writers round…?!”
Not all nights on the road are smooth, though. Reflecting on one particularly memorable evening, Lewis recounts a wild night during a flash snowstorm in early March: “I filmed a video of me in shorts outside, trying to convince people that the snow wasn’t so bad. Unfortunately, it really put a halt to public transport. But we had Twinnie, Kenny Foster, and Brandon Whyde on the bill—and everyone who braved the weather turned out to be die-hard fans.” It was a wintry night that felt oddly Christmassy despite the chaos.
New Music and Personal Stories
Fresh off the back of touring, Two Ways Home are also busy in the studio. Their latest single, “She Keeps Time Like a Casio,” reflects themes of nostalgia and the quirks of everyday life. “I think it’s for all those late comers who always feel bad for promising to be on time but end up being—well—late,” explains Isabella.
Lewis adds with a knowing chuckle, “And it’s tied up with those little relationship moments; when you’re worried about keeping someone waiting. We drew on some true-to-life moments where we were the late ones a couple of times in a row. Sorry guys, you know who you are!”
Their songwriting journey, marked by time spent in Nashville, continues to evolve. Isabella notes, “When you’re in Nashville with a bunch of writer friends, you tend to come together and write, but because you’re booking time with them, then you never get to write alone again.”
Now, with the duo spending more time penning songs on their own, Lewis shares, “You feel like you’re using up all your ideas because you have to have something to bring to a writer’s room.” Isabella adds, “Lately, we’ve kind of just taken it back a bit and just been writing on our own.”
When asked about their most personal song, both respond in unison: Better Days. “It was a hard time, and we wrote it as a reminder that, no matter how tough things get, better days are just around the corner,” confesses Lewis. Isabella recalls the intimate moment vividly: “I remember sitting in bed with a glass of wine, writing that—it was incredibly personal.” The duo hope the song resonates with fans, sending a simple yet powerful message: “Hang on in there, champ. Better days will come,” emphasizes Isabella.
What’s Next for Two Ways Home
When asked where they find the most joy, Lewis describes the magic of live performance. “At the right show when the sounds good, and there’s a good energy in the room. That’s a really good experience. And I also love the studio, those moments when a song just clicks into place.”
Dream collaborations also feature in their conversation. Isabella mentions that working with Post Malone would be a lot of fun, while Lewis expresses a desire to collaborate with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, citing his influential role in shaping his musical approach.
As the interview drew to a close, excitement for the future was palpable. New music is on the horizon, and the duo’s upcoming single is already creating buzz. “New music soon—we just need to upload our next song to distribution. And our next single is gonna be called,” the duo reveal in unison, “Patience To Play. You heard it here first!”
For those enchanted by the fusion of alt-country and pop charm, delving deeper into Two Ways Home’s journey reveals a tapestry of backstage anecdotes, songwriting secrets, and the evolving landscape of the UK country scene. From the challenges of independent artistry to the thrill of spontaneous collaborations, their narrative continues to inspire and resonate—promising even richer stories ahead.
Stay Connected with Two Ways Home
Want to follow Two Ways Home on their musical journey? Stay up to date with their latest releases, tour dates, and behind-the-scenes moments by connecting with them online. Plus follow Two Ways Home right here on countrymusic.co.uk
