Nerina Pallot is a platinum selling, BRIT Award nominated British singer and songwriter... and ahead of the release of her latest single and album, i caught up with the little superstar for a quick chat.
Hello there, what are you up to?
I'm in my pyjamas, eating almonds and answering your questions.
So, you’re getting ready to release your new single / album ‘Real Late Starter’ /‘The Graduate’ can you tell us a bit about them?
Real Late Starter is a song about feeling like a loser, but ploughing on regardless. A bit like life in general, really. (At least, for me.)
The album is called The Graduate because while I was making my last album, I was also at university doing an English degree, which I had to leave half-way through because the music took off. I had really bad writer's block this time, so it seemed a good idea to use all the time I was wasting moping to finish my degree - and I did, this summer, so that's the reason for the title.
The new single from that, comes out on 28th September, why are you releasing that track now?
Because it took me so long to finish my album!
Your previous singles for your past albums were huge hits and very radio friendly , do you think you can replicate this with the new record?
I have no idea. I just set out to make an album that was honest and truly reflective of where I am right now, and to have fun with it. It would be nice to have another hit, for sure, but I'd drive myself mad if I think about that stuff too much.
There is a lot of competition in the business today, do you think you have what it takes to give the big names a run for their money?
Until I start dressing like a pole dancing hooker, probably not.
So, if you could recommend just one song of yours for us to download so that we want to hear all of your music, what would it be?
I'm meant to say the single, right?! But there's a song on my new album that I am really really proud of, and it's called 'Human'. I feel like I only wrote a bunch of other songs so that one day I could write this one.
If I was contemplating coming to your show or sitting at home and watching Big Brother, how would you get me out of the house?
Oh I dunno. Big Brother can be quite entertaining at times, and the good news is that those people live in your TV and not in your house.
But that's the thing, they're stuck in a house, you're not, celebrate your freedom by coming to my show!
We’ve got to admit you’re a little bit cool, so what advice would you give to someone just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Why thank you. Don't take yourself seriously, don't take life seriously, do what you love and don't give a toss about being cool.
To anyone who hasn’t heard of you yet, how would you sell yourself in just five words?
Concise.
If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steely Dan's Can't Buy A Thrill which is the greatest album ever made.
Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions; Tell me about the most terrifying experience of your life…
A total nutcase tried to strangle me on a plane once - it was so unexpected and I had that whole can't-get-a-word-out experience. Not fun.
What’s the most stupid purchase you’ve ever made?
Business class tickets to Australia at check-in because I was tired. I woke up in Australia and discovered I was still tired, but now I was broke too.
Why go to the top of a tall building, only to put money in binoculars and look at things on the ground?
Because people are stupid?
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison