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Cover star: Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith’s second album, Fall To Grace, has cemented the singer’s reputation as one of the UK’s most distinctive and talented female singer/songwriters. Out In The City met up with the singer and actress to discuss her blossoming career…
There are some artists who get accused of trying to build a gay fanbase simply to chase the loyal ‘pink pound’, but Paloma Faith certainly isn’t one of them. With a background in the East End cabaret scene, the self-confessed ‘drag queen’ has plenty of gay hug-buddies, is a strong advocate of gay marriage, and has been a judge at such contests as London’s Next Top Tranny.
Following the success of her debut album in 2009, the 28-year-old, Hackney-born Paloma has just released her second album, Fall To Grace. It includes recent top-ten hit ‘Picking Up The Pieces’ and gorgeous new single, ’30-Minute Love Affair’.
Michael Turnbull caught up with her to discuss Prince, burger queens and which kind of gay boys give the best hugs…
How have things changed with your second album release?
Paloma: Well, now I travel in what’s called a luxury Mercedes as opposed to just a Biffa Van, so that’s nice [laughs].
Has the costume budget gone up?
I’ve actually decided to wear just one costume per gig now. It had almost got to the point where it was more about my clothes than my singing.
You seem to have sailed past the notorious sophomore album syndrome.
I feel like I had a level of success on the first album that showed me what I could have on the next one. The carrot was dangled in front of me and I went for it.
What’s your favourite track on the album?
It’s hard to pick. I think there’s something for every mood you’re in. If you want a bit of dancing and fancy a rave-up then there’s ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’…
...Which is my favourite.
You big gay! I always call that my gay anthem. I am a gay man trapped in a girl’s body so that explains that one.
Are you much of a ‘fag hag’?
I’m a fag hag that’s not allowed to have any other fags because my current one will get jealous. He gets furious with my stylist [laughs]. Can’t I hook them up? No, the stylist is in a happy relationship. Another reason why he’s furious with him! [laughs]
Nellee Hooper [who’s previously worked with Bjork, Gwen Stefani, Madonna] produced this album for you…
Yeah, I love him. I worked with Jake Gosling [who’s worked with Ed Sheeran] as well. Nellee brought him in. It was an amazing trio because Jake has had loads of success with Ed and Nellee has a whole legacy going on. It was perfect. But really I have my record company to thank. I recorded some songs and played them to the label. I explained that I wanted the album to sound like a film soundtrack, almost like my own Drive. They realised I needed a producer who had worked with film and music, so they introduced me to Nellee.
Florence & The Machine just scored a number 1 with a Calvin Harris remix. Would you let Calvin Harris/David Guetta get their hands on your music?
Well, with Florence, I expect what she wanted for her record is on her record… she’s just had the song remixed by a load of people. It’s not her fault that that’s what’s coming to the fore. At the end of the day, she is an incredibly talented person and the fact that she let Calvin Harris remix her song doesn’t make her any less talented. It’s very easy for people to sit on their sofas and say, “So and so has sold out.” It’s rubbish, because if somebody offered them a huge amount of money to do something they would take it.
Are you tempted to write for other people?
I would love to. I had a bit of a bee in my bonnet with this record as I wanted to write all of it for myself. But now that I have a record that I am incredibly proud of, I would love to write for other people.
Anyone in particular?
I think I would rather be approached by someone, because if you say you would like to write for so and so, you’re kind of saying you’re better than them.
You worked with Prince last year. How was that experience?
When I met him I was halfway through writing the record. I was flabbergasted to find out that he knew every song on my first record. His favourite was something obscure like track 9, that no one really knows unless they’re properly listening to an album. I wouldn’t call it an enjoyable experience because I felt very exposed. He is so extremely talented that you feel a bit inferior. But he was just really positive and encouraging.
How did you find being on The Voice?
I preferred performing to the mentoring because I’m not a trained singer myself and it’s like, who am I to offer advice? But all I tried to do for them was talk about performing and confidence.
Did you have a favourite?
Ruth Brown. The week when she got kicked out, everyone good got kicked out. It was weird. But I would definitely buy her album.
You performed at G-A-Y recently. How did that go?
Amazing. It was the first time I’d done it. I had a really good time.
Was it a younger crowd for you?
It was quite young. There were quite a lot of twinks instead of bears. I have a lot of bear friends. I go round to their house quite often for a cuddle. Twinks aren’t so huggable because they are quite skinny [laughs].
You were on the judging panel for London’s Next Top Tranny and Burger Queen. How was that?
Russella, the host of London’s Next Top Tranny is sitting next to me right now. So I have to say good things [laughs]. It was pretty much a ramshackle version of America’s Next Top Model. Brilliant. Was I happy with the winner? Yeah, but to me there is only one top tranny and that is Russella!
Burger Queen is quite different though, right?
Burger Queen is Scottee’s thing. It’s for trannies who are either overweight on the outside or the inside. Burger Queen is a state of mind.
You sound like you go out on the gay scene quite a lot.
My background is cabaret, so I made friends with all these people early on. They just send me messages saying, “I’m doing this, can you come down?” Whenever I am invited, I usually go. But now I don’t go looking for it as I am a bit of a homebody. I do like to support trannies and drag queens though because essentially - I am one.
Paloma Faith’s new album Fall to Grace is out now. ‘30 Minute Love Affair’ is released 12 August.
