INTERVIEW – PALOMA FAITH

I FEEL CHEATED. THERE, I’VE SAID IT. THAT’S RIGHT – SUE ME. ANYONE WHO HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN “POP” MUSIC SHOULD BE ECHOING EXACTLY THE SAME SENTIMENTS, FULL STOP. THINK BACK TO THIS LAST YEAR GONE AND CONSIDER ALL OF THE RUBBISH THAT WE’VE HAD TO ENDURE. HOW WAS IT FOR YOU? AWFUL, RIGHT? AND WHY DO I FEEL SO STRONGLY? I’LL TELL YOU WHY; PALOMA FAITH, THAT’S BLOODY WHY! ALL THIS TIME A GENUINE POP STARLET WAS OPERATING RIGHT UNDERNEATH POP MUSIC’S RADAR AND WHAT DID WE DO? LISTEN TO NONSENSE-FILLED-UNDERACHIEVERS, THAT’S WHAT. EVER GET THE FEELING THAT YOU’VE BEEN CHEATED?

Paloma Faith has just released her debut album, Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful, and the real truth is that it is without a doubt the most essential pop album to be released for quite some time. Think smoky-Winehouse-esque vocals coupled with huge cinematic backdrops and you would be half way there – Faith’s album is one to be digested and enjoyed over a number of listens. If you don’t believe me, I besiege you, discover it for yourself. It is a genre fest of sizeable proportion that will reward you ten-fold in these dark and worrisome times.

AGENT2 tracked Paloma down and managed to catch a word with the lady of the hour before her ship sails for the land of superstars.

Your new single New York is released next week; it’s a big sweeping giantess of a song – ballad and theatrical like in places. What is the song about?

It’s about how the city took my lovers heart. He fell in love with New York and chose it over me. He went to work there and decided to live there and end it with me!

The video for New York is extremely cinematic and well produced. How much input did you have into the creative process of it?

I am very lucky in the way that I have been incredibly involved in the creative process. We wanted to make the New York video more about my performance as an actress in a story as opposed to an overly visual one like Stone Cold Sober. Vaughan Arnell came up with the bowling lanes setting. I think he was inspired by the Big Lebowski.

What can AGENT2 readers expect from your album if they’ve yet to hear it?

I would like my album to transport the listeners to a fantasy world. I feel that everyone needs an escape from the world we live in today and I hope that my album has created something fresh and hopeful that they can escape to.

The album title, Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful, is very evocative of the acting world: the idea of escapism and the ability to pretend. What does it mean to you?

It’s an introduction to me and what I do. I am proposing that I offer you something beautiful as I don’t believe the truth is ever really that important. The title is all about perception and I think it’s beautifully vulnerable.  In contemporary culture we spend alot of time trying to unveil the truth and I prefer to enjoy the fantasy and let it wash over me.

What, so far, have been the most enjoyable places to perform live?

Latitude festival…  It was the first time I had performed to a big audience who knew some of the lyrics of my songs.  I love people singing along! When you buy the album you get all the lyrics in the booklet, I hope people will read them!

Is your live show as flamboyant as the music on your album? We imagine plenty of costume changes and a sense of ‘event’ rather than just another gig.

I try to create a performance that will entertain visually as much as on an audio level. No two shows are the same although I might include homages to past shows.  I like to entertain and make an event out of a performance.  I come from a theatre background and that influences what I do.

You boast an impressive CV including working as an actress, singer, dancer and magician’s assistant. What’s the worst job that you’ve ever had?

I would have to say it was when I worked in a cafe on a Saturday, boiling chicken.

You have a part in the new Terry Gilliam film, The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, what was he like to work with?

Amazing! It’s been an ambition of mine to meet and work with him. I love his films and feel that he is one of our generations’ greatest talents. He’s very funny too.

Now you’re set to become a musical force, will you continue acting?

Definitely, although at present I’m focused on my music I hope that at the end of this year I can start doing some auditions…time dependent!!

What do find more personally rewarding, music or acting?

I love doing both and don’t think they’re exclusive.

During your hectic schedule of chart and world domination, you are unexpectedly given a whole day off. What would you do with yourself?

I LOVE THE CINEMA!  I would like to go to Gelato Mio for an Italian ice cream and then go to see a film in the cinema.

Paloma Faith Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful is available now.

PALOMAFAITH.COM

Words Colin French Images Alice Hawkins