Wirral Life July 2018 | Page 19

W W INTERVIEW L L 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. wirrallife.com 19