www.musicweek.com
23.08.13 MusicWeek 33
could see it had to be the first song on our next record. The song was Sailing Ships From Heaven. Luke managed to make Mike and I sound like we’d never sounded before so it was clear he was going to be a big part of this album - that's on the producing side, as a writer he was a joy to work with too. Toby Jepson had just finished writing and
producing my husband’s [ James Toseland] album and I absolutely loved it but didn’t consider working with him as a writer because their record is very much a classic rock/heavy rock album. But James could see I was struggling to write on my own so he suggested I try writing with Toby. On our first day we wrote four songs, one of which was Love Is A Silent Thief. I couldn’t have been happier and kept working with him. We also came up with Chase Me a sixties-inspired torch song for Ketevan.
You signed with Dramatico in September 2002, after other labels had missed their chance – can you tell us the story of your signing? I’d love to have a ‘this is it’ story but actually it was the realisation that I could say ‘no’ to a big record deal. Something like that for a kid coming out of the BRIT School was pretty unheard of. Mike pointed out some details in one particular deal that was offered and it involved changing a lot of the album and songs we already had, including The Closest Thing To Crazy. That didn’t feel right so I thought, “Well if I can say no and there’s a clear other option, which was to do it independently with Dramatico, then it’s a no to the big deal and a yes to Dramatico!”
You started out at a young age and remained in school despite embarking on a recording career. What advice would you give to young aspiring artists today? Oh, I didn’t even consider dropping out of my second year of the BRIT School even though I was in the middle of making my first album. You just have to be realistic: I didn’t have any
“Saying no to a big record deal was pretty unheard of for a kid coming out of the BRIT School. Mike [Batt] pointed out some details in one particular deal that involved changing a lot of the songs we already had. That didn’t feel right” KATIE MELUA
guarantee it was going to be a success or that I wouldn’t have to find a day job after I left school. I have always been a big dreamer and I always think big but, for all the success I’ve seen, there’s also been so much immense, mind-blowing talent that I’ve seen not get the chance for one reason or another. So I’d say think and wish for the biggest things but expect and be ready for anything at all.
You said still being able to tour is the highlight for you. But do you have one moment in your career that stands out as the ultimate highlight? Meeting Nelson Mandela (pictured above) and doing a photo call with him. He sat next to me on a bench in front of the photographers and was just so at ease and funny, I’ll never forget that.
As you’ve grown as an artist and person over the last decade, what are the most important, and perhaps most difficult, lessons that the music industry has taught you? The most difficult thing I’ve learnt - although I don’t think it’s limited just to the music industry - is that if you want to get to the top and stay there, you have to just kill for it. The first person you start with is yourself. I know that’s really dramatic and it doesn’t happen in one moment but slowly after a while you look around you and you think, “Wow I've got no time for anything”. Even if I’m at home with my family or on holiday I can’t stop thinking about the music first. Then the tour, promo, that all has to be thought about and dealt with too.
RIGHT A decade of discs: Melua - above right with Mike Batt - will be performing a special 10th anniversary concert at The Roundhouse in London on October 2. Album Ketevan and single I Will Be There will be released on September 16.
What can we expect from your 10th anniversary ‘party/gig’ at the Roundhouse in October? A ‘thank you’ for the first 10 years of a celebration. It’ll be a look back but equally a look forward because I’ll be singing the songs from the new album for the first time. I can’t wait to get those songs out on the road and there’s nothing like the buzz of playing new material to an audience for the first time.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60