It’s tradition at this point in a Unsigned cover article to take the piss out of the place we are meeting our cover artist, whether it be a car park in Romford or a little chef somewhere on the M6. But today we are in rather more elegant surroundings. Today we’re sat at a little bistro just on the outskirts of Manchester city centre, Like today’s artist, this bistro is full of small but full of character. Lizzie Young is rapidly making a name for her self, appearing on Jules Holland with Jay-Z and the Foo Fighters and has just finished a 9 month tour with Florence + the Machine; she is defiantly capturing the publics’ imagination. As I sit there sipping the largest brew you can imagine my guest appears from the harsh weather into the bistro looking tired. I asked her how she was, “Shattered, I was playing at the Ruby Lounge last night, didn’t get in till two. I need my sleep”. She orders a very black coffee and we get talking.
I’ve been listening to your music on your MySpace page; it reminds me of Jose Gonzalez / Lady Hawke….
Thanks (at this point a massive smile appears on her face). Basically it’s me and a acoustic guitar, I started writing songs when I was eight when I was at school, God I hated Maths and I’ve just kept writing since then.
Who were your main influences growing up?
Well, I was brought up in the nineties so I was fed on Oasis, the Stone Roses and Morrissey. But the singer that I loved from the very minute I heard her voice was Beth Gibbons from Portishead, her voice is beautiful.
Your rise hasn’t come easily has it?
Nope, but if you want something you’re gonna’ have to work at it aren’t you? Nothing comes for free, except for this piss poor weather. Ask any artist trying to make it mainstream, it’s hard. It involves driving twenty miles to Rochdale on a Thursday night to play in front of seven people and hoping they tell their mates that you were decent. You have to get yourself out there and play every gig you can whether it’s a pub in Bury or a club in Accrington.
But you don’t have to do them anymore?
I know! Thank God! My legs were knees were knocking so much when I played Jules Holland that I swear my whole body was shaking! It’s nice to finally have some acclamation for all the hard work I’ve put in through my life.
So, what was it like supporting Florence + the Machine on tour?
Amazing, I loved every minute of it! We went everywhere! From Shepherds Bush Empire to O2 Academy in Glasgow! I gained so much from that tour, playing in
front of packed houses for 9 months builds up your confidence. At the moment I feel like I could take on the world, I haven’t stopped smiling since I got off that tour.
How did you fill your time while on tour? I’m guessing there was a lot of travelling….
The travelling was a bitch, I have to be honest, I didn’t like it. But I was doing a tour so, it kind of gives it away that there’s be a lot of travelling. I spent most of my time playing scrabble with the rest of the guys on. I have to say Florence cannot spell (breaks out into laughter). My iPod kept me sane through those overnight journeys.
I hear Julian Casablancas asked to on your album…
Yeah, it’s a strange one. I was at the studio and I got a phone call off Julian (Casablancas) saying he’s heard my stuff and he’d love to be on my album. Obviously I snapped up the opportunity of having the Strokes front man on my album. He’s on the song ‘I’d like to be me’. And then I am lucky to have an amazing producer Garret Lee who’s worked with Bloc Party, Kasabian and U2. He’s a fantastic producer I was a shocked when my label got him for me!
You must have been amazed….
I was! I was speechless! He’s such a nice guy and such a professional. Garret (Lee) helped me so much. He has a vast amount of knowledge and experience and that’s why I am so confident about the album.
Can you describe the album for us?
Erm… I can give it a try (she says with a fall full of concentration). I get asked this every interview and I still don’t know what to say. If I was going to relate to anything it’s a bit like Lilly Allens ‘Alright Still’ album or The Streets ‘Original Pirate Material’ album in that they both use social realism. They write about everyday things and make them into song. That’s all that my album has in common with there’s though. Mine’s more lighter, but I still wouldn’t get it for your nan for Christmas.
So, what does the future hold for Lizzie Young?
Well, I’ve got my album coming out early 2010 so I’m hoping that to go somewhere in the charts and I’m releasing my first single in a few weeks called ‘Time Stood Still’ which I hope will do something in the charts. I wish to make many albums, have many number ones and have a long lasting music career basically. I’m not going to lie and say “I’ll just hope for the best” or some crap like that.
Thanks for your time, have a good Christmas! What are you getting?
A number one single and some Thorntons chocolate.
Haha, very nice bye….
Ciao
No comments:
Post a Comment