Our next LCM #TrackOfTheDay is one of my favourite new songs the mega catchy 'The Next Time' from the lovely and very talented Norwegian born but London based singer-songwriter Liv Austen. Liv is one the the leading stars of the UK Country community and it was an absolute joy to have her perform for us at the Green Note earlier this year, where she played this song live. Liv was also joined on stage by Jessica Sharmen, who co-wrote the song with Liv. The multi-talented Jessica has also co-written big hits for bands like Ward Thomas and The Shires. Recently signed to Paul Hardcastle's NUA Entertainment label, Liv is simply going from strength to strength. We can't wait for Liv's new album. 

Liv discusses the background to the song. 'I wrote this song with Jessica Sharman, who is now one of my favourite co-writers. In this writing session I was stressing out about a person who was constantly letting me down, and I had just about come to the conclusion that I had to remove this person from my life. Jess was amazing and helped me write a sassy and fun song about it, instead of sitting there wallowing in my own misery! I felt so elated after the song was finished. She brilliantly sat by her laptop and typed down everything I said about the situation, one of which was "he keeps saying he will do better 'next time, next time'... But what he doesn't understand is that this was the next time." And that's how the title was born. I also remember that when we had written the first verse and pre-chorus, Jess was frantically playing the last chord we had and shouted "sing! Sing whatever comes to mind, go!!" and I just sang "ooooh", like the melodic hook that you hear in the chorus. It just happened, and it felt so organic and fun!

Recording the song was really good fun too. I recorded this as one of the first tracks on the album, I was so confident about it and knew it would be a contender for single. I recorded it at my label's studio with my co-producer and engineer LOFT, and my other producer Jon Wright. We had a brilliant time throwing ideas around for it, and it was so fun being a co-producer on my own music, finally. I think both of my producers were surprised at how pop I was willing to go with this track. They repeatedly went: "really?" with some of the stuff I suggested. But I am so proud of the result!