Teddy Thompson chats about his latest album

13 August 2008

Teddy Thompson

When I heard there was an album coming out which was ready to showcase formidable vocal, songwriting and guitar talents while venturing into rewarding new musical and lyrical territory, I had to be a part of it!So naturally, FemaleFirst caught up with the dashing Teddy Thompson to chat about the music business, his exploration of new avenues and what exactly PoFoCo means!

What have you been up to this week, anything exciting?

Very exiting things; lots of promotion on the radio and television.

You’re all set to release your new album A Piece Of What You Need, how would you describe the album?

I would describe it as PoFoCo - Pop, Folk and Country all in one. That’s my new acronym, it’s a pop record really but as I come from a folk background there’s a bit of that in there.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of you, how would you describe your sound?

Just like I said before - pop music with a folk base.

Who would you compare yourself to?

I’m friends with Rufus and Martha Wainwright, so I sound a bit like them or perhaps David Gray.

How did you find making this album in comparison to the previous three?

It was great fun, I had a really good producer who has worked with Madonna and Bjork and David Gray and a bunch of really big names and great people and it was great fun and he made the record sound like a hit! Which is what I pay him for!

Do you have a favourite track?

I think the single ‘In my arms’ is probably my favourite because it’s got a girl group sixties hand-clap thing and sounds quite retro so it was a fun song to record and it’s upbeat which is nice. It’s a foot-tapper and head-bopper.

Where did the inspiration for the album come from?

Well most of it was just my life over the last couple of years and songs about the usual stuff; girls, boys and animals.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the music industry who would it be and why?

I’d like to sing with Dolly Parton because she’s one of my all-time favourites and she’s a one-off and nobody else sounds like her.

Who is your favourite artist that’s around at the moment?

Just me. I haven’t really heard much music recently, at the moment all I’m listening to at the moment is ABBA, I know it isn’t very current but it’s just great pop music. Specifically Super Trouper at the moment.

Are there any musicians or bands you don’t like?

I like a bit of everything but I’m not really big on hip-hop. There’s some good stuff and I can appreciate some of it but there’s just so much boring misogynistic stuff about cars, money and girls which gets really boring.

Where would you like to be in 10 years time?

Good question! I’d like to be sunning myself somewhere and on holiday as much as possible so I suppose if could look ahead 10 years I would like to be able to say “I have worked hard for the past 10 years and now I’m having a break.”

What’s in the near future for you?

Just touring and doing lots of live shows around the country for about a year. I’ll be doing the festivals next summer tour, so just lots of time on the road.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a singer?

I’d be in lots of trouble. I’d probably be an architect, I like the idea of building something. I always thought I could really get into that. If not that it would be advertising, I’d like a job where I could wear and nice suit and have a nice office and do something creative.

How did you get into the music industry?

I come from a musical family as my parents are both musicians but I was living in Los Angeles, I moved out there when I was 18 and I just started doing shows and little gigs at clubs and slogging away a bit and then I got some interest from a record label and signed a deal and away I went!