What is your favorite personal single recording (or song) and what about it makes you happiest? My favourite single is “Womyn”. I love it because it is an empowering song for anyone, especially women; musically, it draws from some 70’s African Jazz, which I am crazy about.
Do you still believe in the concept of an album over the single? I believe in albums, yeah. The reason being that they are pretty acurate portraits of an artist and sort of logs their growth chronologically. I love making records. I don’t care what the internet says.
Do you have a philosophy when it comes to recording? My philosophy when it comes to recording is; to capture a good vibe. A good vibe from myself, from the musicians and the engineer. I am super aware of the energy of spaces and so I have to feel the studio vibe is right; you can have a studio with $100,000,000 in gear and unless the energy is right, you won’t get a good recording.
How does the songwriting process work for you? Are there any triggers in your life that cause you to sit down and write something, or does it just happen? (The) Songwriting process for me is all about inspiration. You couldn’t pay me to sit down and write a song under pressure. Literally- my old label tried to do that with me in LA and it doesn’t work. I am so inspired by this amazing and flawed world. I tend to get song ideas when a) I am emotional b) I am walking/biking/on a bus c) I am travelling. Right now I am in India and am sooo inspired. Writing everyday!
What was the first real concert you ever attended and what impression did it have on you?The first real concert I attended was…Christina Aguilera/Justin Timberlake. Yeah, I know. Stripped was such a good album for 11 year old me. So empowering thematically.
What is your approach to playing live and what is your mindset pre-show? My approach to live performance is pretty dedicated. I take it seriously; in that…I am so serious about letting go and establishing a sense of release for myself and the audience. I am very playful and jokey on stage. I think that helps. My mind set pre-show is excitement and a bit of healthy nervousness. Mostly excitement.
If you could tour with any artist next year who would it be and why? If I could tour with any artist next year it would be…Sam Smith. I think we would blend well. I am in love with him and his music.
What are your favorite 3 albums of all-time? My three favourite albums of all time are:
- Back to Black– Amy Winehouse
- Blue– Joni Mitchell
- Everything Bob Marley has ever released
Earth is to be destroyed by an asteroid — you been instructed to put one song (any song ever recorded by anyone) in a time capsule to represent mother earth, what might it be? The song I’d put in the time capsule as a gift to our cosmic neighbors would be… “Svefn-G-Englar” by Sigur Ros
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