We speak to Katie Melua
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Orange catches up with Katie Melua to talk about her forthcoming tour, staying sane in the industry and her possible heavy metal album!
Can you tell us a bit about your new single, 'If The Lights Go Out?'
Katie Melua: Basically, it's a love song but it's set in the context of the world ending and promising the person you love that you'll be with them to the very last moment. So, it's a bit dramatic, but I think it's a little bit hopeful too.
What have you been up to recently?
Katie Melua: I'm actually just getting ready for my tour, which is starting at the end of March. I'm constantly touring until October, November time. So, I've just been getting ready for rehearsing, planning the visuals and everything else that goes into it.
It's a really big tour – do you still get nervous about the big shows?
Katie Melua: I don't, because I just really look forward to it. I mean, I do on the night but not before the tour. I just love going on tour and it's such a good part of what I do. I just love those kind of stupid, crazy things that happen on tour and the environment that is created. You can't really have it anywhere else.
There are a lot of dates packed in there. How do you stay sane and healthy?
Katie Melua: Well, to be honest, two years ago when I went on the Piece By Piece tour, I was away for three months in Europe and America, and people actually did go crazy. I think what happens is it's like being a sailor: you get so alienated from normal life and your home life, so that it does get a bit mad.
But for this time, even though there are a lot of dates, they are all spread out over the whole year, So, I'm away for no more than a month at one time, which is a really healthy way of doing it.
Do you have any rituals that you stick to in order to get you through it?
Katie Melua: Drink usually helps! No, it's not difficult. The best thing really is making sure you're not away for too long, and you have gaps and you also have friends and family come out and see you.
You're playing the Albert Hall too – that must be a huge honour for you.
Katie Melua: Yeah, definitely. It's the second time. the first time, I was really crap! I'm gonna make it better this time.
What do you think about Jay-Z playing Glastonbury?
Katie Melua: Oh, I think it's great. I'm really not genre biased at all. I hate people who are. I just think there are great pieces and bad pieces of music in every genre. Having said that, I don't actually know his music that well, but I'm really open to checking anything out. Even if they had classical music in Glastonbury, I'd go and check it out.
Have you ever been down there?
Katie Melua: No, I haven't but I'm going there this year.
Radiohead have announced that they're trying to make their gigs as environmentally friendly as possible. Is that something that you see as the way forward for artists?
Katie Melua: Yeah, that would be absolutely amazing. It's very difficult though, but I think if we all try it would make a real difference. As well as doing things on the road, I try and do things at home. There is a really great cab company I use that only uses hybrid cars, and I try to cycle as much as I can. I'm also using waterbuds, where you use rainwater to water your garden. So that's kind of cool.
Duffy is almost certain to be staying at No.1 this weekend. Are you a fan?
Katie Melua: Yeah, actually. I do like her song. I think it's cool. It's really weird because there is definitely that whole kind of Amy Winehouse sound, that sort of retro ‘60s thing with Duffy, but I think it's great. I think it's a good direction to be playing around in.
Is there an unexpected band that you're in to that we wouldn't necessarily expect you to like?
Katie Melua: When I tell people I like Rage Against The Machine, they’re surprised – but I don't know why, because I've always loved lots of different types of music. My brother has gotten me in a lot of weird heavy metal stuff, death metal stuff and Satan-worshiping stuff. He obviously doesn't Satan-worship but he loves the music.
Do you think you might ever bring that in as an influence in your future?
Katie Melua: Maybe! (laughs).
