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AN INTERVIEW WITH PALOMA FAITH
Paloma Faith, singer, songwriter, and actress talks to Wirral Life in an exclusive interview.
Paloma Faith was born in Hackney and grew up in
London, but that doesn’t stop her having a special
relationship with the Wirral. She is one of only two British
female artists in the last ten years to have their last three
albums go double platinum in the UK. Her lead single
‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ is Paloma’s biggest-selling
hit to date and her latest album ‘The Architect’ is her first
UK number 1 album. She talked to Wirral Life about why
she likes the area so much and about her next visit on 10th
August playing at Haydock Racecourse.
You’ve got some close connections with the Wirral, haven’t you?
Yes! I've visited the Wirral as my best friend is from there
and her mum and dad still live in the Wirral. I feel like my
friend and I have been friends for multiple lifetimes - we get
each other so well! I think we’re like old souls who knew each
other before. My most recent visit was when I played at the
Echo Arena in Liverpool back in March. This visit I should
get a little bit of time to go and catch up with them which I’m
really looking forward to.
Despite your huge success, everyone says that you are very
approachable, is this right?
Yeah, because I talk to people! I’ve got a lovely elderly next
door neighbour where I’ve just moved in recently, he’s so nice
and he said to me, ‘I was looking at what you’ve been talking
about lately and I like your politics and your social message’
and I said ‘Oh didn’t you realise you had a socialist living
next door then?’ and then he said ‘well I got the impression
when you said hello’.
You’re next on Merseyside on 10th August 2018 for ‘An
evening at the Races with Paloma Faith’ which is being
held at Haydock Racecourse. Is that going to be a different
type of performance?
It is very different! I’ve done one date like this already and
it’s totally weird! I love it! In a normal concert it’s like you’re
playing across the stage and all the people are in front of you
but because this goes right along the racecourse, you almost
have to try and perform at 360 degrees, so everyone can see!
It’s lucky really that the back of my head is quite interesting!
A lot of people appreciate your very honest view of life
both in your songs and over issues you’ve been quite
outspoken about. One of these subjects was becoming a
mum and the pressures they face. What are your thoughts
now?
Well there’s no going back is there! My friend has just had a
baby a couple of weeks ago and she text me saying ‘nothing
could have prepared me for this’ and that’s so true! The
beginning for me was very, very hard but now there’s loads
of new things happening all the time, baby is communicating
and speaking and it’s amazing. It just gives you a whole new
perspective about lots of things. Like now, I make friends
with other parents all the time, it’s like you just bond over
parenting! I wouldn’t have done that before. Your priorities
change and the way you navigate through life changes.
What’s it like being on tour as a mum compared to how it
was before?
It was incredibly difficult at first, because both of us were
juggling work and childcare and we don’t work in an
industry where you can say what time you’re exactly going to
finish. It was so difficult to balance, especially as a first time
mum when you want to be with your baby all the time and
have them go everywhere with you. Like anything though,
you adapt and work together, and you try to keep baby in the
best routine for them.
You are well known for your retro and eccentric style, have
you got anything flamboyant or eye-catching planned for
us at Haydock?
I’m not sure I can get more flamboyant or eye-catching! At
the moment my obsession is trying to channel David Bowie
and Diana Ross in the 70’s.
Your new album 'The Architect’, follows the huge success
of your 2014 album, ‘A Perfect Contradiction’. Do you have
a favourite song from your new album yet?
I really like ‘Spin Around.’ It’s an unusual mix of my jazz
background with a contemporary beat and I love the melody.
The melody was written by Tobias Jesso Jr and I think he’s
really talented. It’s the right mix of old and new to me.
Paloma Faith headlines at Haydock Racecourse on Friday 10th August 2018
for ‘An evening at the Races with Paloma Faith’. Tickets are on sale now.
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