Digital Spy caught up with Sophie

Don't you just love it when you read a good interview? Thank you DigitalSpy for this.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a324829/sophie-ellis-bextor-interview-im-a-sucker-for-sad-pop.html

The last time we spoke to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, she was on the cusp of releasing her fourth studio album Make A Scene. Fast-forward more than a year and, well, she's finally got around to putting out the record. Before we all accuse her of being a lady of too much leisure, the last 12 months have seen her part ways with her record label and set up her own, as well as putting out a pair of successful chart hits across Europe. Intrigued, we phoned Mademoiselle E-B herself to find out how it's all going.

Your new album was delayed for almost a year. How does it feel to finally get it out?
"It feels really good thanks! I'm actually very happy with what we've achieved behind the scenes with establishing the new label and getting such a fantastic team around me. I know to the outside world it seems like this record has taken forever, but from leaving Universal to bringing out the album independently has actually been quite a quick process."

Things seemed to go quiet last year after the release of 'Bittersweet'. What happened?
"Peter Lorraine, who was the head of the sub-label I was on called Fascination, decided to leave and go into management instead. He's a lovely guy, and we're still close, but he was the reason I was with that label, so instead of negotiating a new deal with Universal I thought I'd go it alone."

Did you have to buy the album back from the label?
"No they just gave me the album, which was great, because we'd already made a music video and shot the artwork for it. They were really good about it - the whole thing was very smooth and easy."

Did you ever worry that your music career was over?
"I was excited more than anything else! I'd been talking about the idea of releasing independently with my manager a few years before anyway. I could have signed a deal with a different label, but I was keen to try doing it by myself first. One day I might want to return to that world, but at the moment I can't see myself going back to that structure."

Does releasing music independently put the pressure on?
"I'd say it takes the pressure off - you don't need to sell as many records for the project to be deemed a success, and there are no worries about how much of a priority you are to your label. It also means I can release EPs instead of albums if I want to, which is something I'm considering."

You co-wrote most of the album; was that important to you?
"I don't think writing or co-writing my songs makes me a better singer, but I haven't really got an excuse not to do it as I've got too many opinions! For example I wrote my new single 'Starlight' with Richard X and a girl called Hannah, and the process usually starts with Richard setting up a drum loop, then we add some chords over it, then we put the lyrics to the melody. I think Richard X did a great job with it. I'm a sucker for sad disco pop."

How would you describe the sound of the rest of the LP?
"It's very dancey, very electro, disco, and very confident. I feel like I enjoyed making this record more than any other. Hopefully people find it quite uplifting too. 'Starlight' is a favourite of mine and I love the title track 'Make A Scene' - it's a bit bonkers! I made it with Metronomy and I loved their approach to producing."

Will there be any more singles from the album?
"I'd like to release 'Off & On' next. I think it's about time I got on with it - it's the song that I keep putting back but really want to release."

You've had a lot of success in Russia; was that planned?
"It sort just happened. I started playing the odd gig and kept getting called back more and more and the events got bigger. It was great because it felt like the hard work paid off. I've had a couple of top three hits there now and the album performed well, which is fantastic."

We've heard some of the Russian corporate gigs can be, erm, interesting...
"I know what you're talking about, but I've always made sure to form friendships with whoever I'm working with. I've never experienced anything that's made me uncomfortable, but I have heard stories. You have to keep your wits about you!"

You feature on The Feeling's new album with Roisin Murphy, who also wrote 'Off & On' for your album. Would you ever collaborate with her?
"That's weird connection, isn't it!? When I recorded 'Off & On' I hadn't ever met her, but I really get on with her now and she's the perfect fit for the Feeling track. The Freemasons also worked on that particular song, and they're an act I'd collaborate with any time they wanted me! I love their approach to dance while still remaining sensitive to pop music."

We hear you've started work on your next album; how's it going?
"I've actually gone completely the opposite way to Make A Scene. It's a lot more live-sounding, with drum kits and real instruments. I'm not sure if I'll continue with it, but that's where I wanted to start - I wanted go outside my comfort zone. Dance music is great, but it's not a time to be reflective or particularly wistful. Lyrically I can do some different stuff too - there's more to life than dancing in the clubs!"

Sophie on BBC Radio 2

Interview + performance on Weekend Wogan (BBC Radio 2) by RenzoEB
recording thanks to Paul, upload thanks to Renzo

Full Show - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FA0W06RQ
Starlight - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W8IXVMVY
Rebellion (Lies) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HT9JE05B

Radio Interviews

Interview on BBC Berkshire, Kent, Oxford, Solent, Surrey and Sussex by SOPHIERAZZI

My Perfect Weekend: Sophie Ellis-Bextor

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/8566627/My-perfect-weekend-Sophie-Ellis-Bextor.html

On Friday evenings I love to go dancing with my husband [Richard Jones, bassist with band the Feeling] and a group of our friends. We run an occasional club night at the Café de Paris in Soho called Love to Love and I usually get on the decks at some stage. It all started because I couldn’t find the perfect club night in London – one that played all the tunes I wanted to dance to – so I thought we’d better start one ourselves. It’s revived my love of dance and disco music; they sound so phenomenal belting out through big speakers. And dancing to your favourite tracks is a great way to shake off the stresses of the week.

Richard will dance with me at the beginning of the evening, when he’s in the mood, and then when he gets bored of dancing (which is always long before I do) I’ll prance around with my girlfriends. We’ll do silly, pretend-sexy moves to songs by Rihanna.

We usually get back to our home in Hammersmith quite late and if we’re very lucky our lovely nanny Claire will let us have a bit of a lie in on Saturday morning. It’s always a treat when she stays over and makes breakfast for our boys, Sonny, seven, and Kit, two – who wakes up at 6am on a good day and likes to be busy.

I recently bought him a little broom and mop so he can make himself useful. Unfortunately he took the broom and hit a cupboard door which had a glass window in it. Sadly it doesn’t have a glass window in it any more. I think he was a bit shocked.

I really love being in London at weekends – there’s always so much to do. If it’s lovely weather we’ll go for a walk down along the river with my mother (the former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis) who lives nearby, or meet friends at a pub for a shandy and some lunch.

We’re spoilt for choice in terms of good pubs near us: I’d recommend the Raven, the Black Lion and the Dove. Then in the afternoon I’ll wander around Portobello Market with Richard and the boys, and will invariably end up buying something tacky that nobody else wants.

Our house is so filled with kitsch objects that it looks like a bric-a-brac store. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to tatty old furniture, and wonky tapestry pictures but luckily Richard shares my enthusiasm. He once bought a bass that’s shaped like an axe. It’s mounted on the wall along with all the other tat.

In the coming weeks we’ll be escaping the city on a few Saturdays. I’m appearing at several of the smaller, less cliquey festivals including the Forest Tour 2011 with Erasure and the Cornbury Festival at the beginning of July. I’m afraid I’m not much of a camper so we’ll just go for the day.

Sometimes we’ll drive to my dad’s (Robin Bextor, the film and television producer) house in East Sussex, an hour and a half away. For for a couple of years now he’s been running a restaurant called Moonrakers in the village of Alfriston. It is ridiculously pretty around there. The back terrace of the restaurant overlooks the Tye, a big village green, and there’s a really old church called St Andrews, where Morning Has Broken was written.

The Bextor side of my family – my parents separated when I was four – are all very food motivated. We’ll sit outside in the sun with a glass of wine and order from the menu – spring lamb, fresh fish, ham hock – it’s all locally produced and very tasty.

We never go out on Saturday night. We’ll get takeaway fish ’n’ chips and eat it on our knees in front of some silly Saturday night television such as You’ve Been Framed. I’m sorry but I enjoy watching people fall over.

Richard and I will have friends over for a barbecue on Sunday. We’ve got loads of toys out in the garden – we’re like big kids really. There’s ping pong, a climbing frame and a trampoline. We’ve even got one of those amusement arcade slot machines where you put a coin in and it almost pushes all the other coins off a ledge. My birthday present last year was an inflatable hot tub so I guess that will be getting a second airing this summer.

On Sunday evening I’ll get on with all the admin waiting for me inside. I’ve recently started my own record label called EBGB’s and am enjoying being the boss lady. I think this is something we’ll see more acts doing in the future – Mumford & Sons made their album on their own label, then licensed it to Island. You have to sell a lot fewer albums to make a living when you do it this way.

My fourth album Making a Scene came out earlier this month so I’ve also been doing promotion work for that. It’s great fun although tiring at times; particularly when you’re doing interviews and all the questions are, “Oh, you must be tired?!” and “Aw, do you miss your kids”.

I try my hardest not to read reviews. I’ll have a look if my friends say it’s a good one. But even then I tend only to take on board the disapproving bits. If I get 4 out of 5, I’ll think, “Ah, it could’ve been 5 out of 5, where did I go wrong?”

I’ve been so focused on getting this latest album out to the people who want to buy it that I’d forgotten that there would be critics going, “Well we don’t know if we actually want to own it, but we’re going to tell you what we think of it anyway”.

I never manage to get to bed early on Sunday night but this doesn’t matter as I don’t know one level of exhaustion from another. I don’t dread the arrival of Monday, because I love doing what I do. But I will go to the gym first thing to work off all those fish ’n’ chips.

In short

Herbal tea or stiff drink?
If it’s past six o’clock, a caipiroska

Do you believe in the spirit world?
I like the influence of the macabre but I don’t believe in ghosts

What’s your favourite restaurant – apart from you father’s?
The bar on the beach at Santa Maria di Castellabate in southern Italy

Your inspiration?
Julie Andrews. I grew up watching The Sound of Music

Last music you bought?
Metronomy’s new album

How do you relax?
I jump around, play with the kids or go dancing

What irritates you most?
Bad manners

If you could live in another era when would it be?
The Fifties

What would you eat for your last supper?
Fish ’n’ chips with as much mayo and ketchup as I wanted

My favourite things
London
Music
Food
Bright colours
Spring

Sophie launched Evian’s new Let’s Baby Dance campaign: a new advert and a new global online app to make the world’s longest user-generated music video. www.facebook.com/evianUK

Vote for Starlight on Gaydar Radio

http://gaydarradio.com/UserPortal/YourChoice/YourChoice.aspx

You can vote every half an hour or so, or clear you cookies and vote even sooner. Please keep voting for the single. Hopefully this song will get more airplay than any of her other singles.

So far, local radio stations are supporting her well.
57 plays - Ministry of Sound Radio (Carl Hanaghan Remix)
45 plays - Real Radio Yorkshire, Real Radio Wales, Real Radio North West
43 plays - Real Radio North East
42 plays - Real Radio Scotland, TFM
39 plays - Metro Radio
28 plays - Atlantic FM
26 plays - CFM
24 plays - Touch FM
18 plays - Rugby FM
13 plays - MFR FM, Gaydio
11 plays - Downtown Radio
09 plays - BBC Radio 2
07 plays - 97.4 Rock FM
06 plays - Isle of Wight Radio
05 plays - Cool FM
02 plays - Q Radio
01 plays - Viking FM, Smash Hits! Radio, Radio City, Radio Aire, Key 103, Hallam FM

Sophie Q&A: Official Catch-Up (June 2011)

ORIGINAL POSTS:
http://www.sophieellisbextor.net/news?id=341
http://www.sophieellisbextor.net/news?id=342

Hello Sophie, how are you?
Very good thanks. How are you?

We’ve just eaten a packet of Monster Munch, which reminded us of the tweet you sent recently regarding a TV show about a woman who *only* ate Monster Munch.
Well, she was featured in a programme. She’s been on telly a couple of times, from what I hear. But, yeah, she was in a really good programme all about the human body. It was using her as an example of how well the human body can survive on a diet that doesn’t really have in it what it needs. It was interesting.

Anyway, we're here to talk about you, not crisps. And you seem to have been very busy of late.
Yeah, it’s been really good. But also quite full-on.

Which is presumably better than if you were sitting at home in your stage outfit, waiting for the phone to ring.
Exactly. And I do keep reminding myself of that. I’m trying not to be one of these people who complains about working. But it is a bit hard when you’re doing interviews and all the questions are, “Oh you must be tired?” and “Aw, do you miss your kids?” Although I’m not missing the kids too much, because very thoughtfully they have been waking up very early, so I’m actually seeing them. Kit got me up this morning at 5am.

Oh dear.
Indeed. My car for Lorraine was coming at just gone 6am, so we had an hour of quality time.

How did you use it?
Had breakfast together, mainly. And pottered about. As soon as he wakes up, he’s generally pretty busy. He doesn’t want to just sit and watch TV, unlike his brother. He always wants to be a bit busy.

Teach him how to use a duster, then you can start making use of him.
Well he has got a little broom and a little mop, actually. And the other day he took his little broom and hit it on the cupboard door which had a glass window in it.

Had?
Yes, it doesn’t have a glass window in it any more. Hahaha! I think he was a bit shocked.

So, it seems like things are going well with the album campaign. Life as an independent artist appears to be treating you well.
Yeah, I have to say the people around me have been fantastic. They’re doing a really, really good job. And they’re thoroughly nice people.

And the reviews for the album seem to be splendid. Are they something you read?
Not really, no. I’ll have a look if people say it’s a good one. But even then you tend to just take on board the bits where they’re disapproving. If you get 4 out of 5, you’ll think, “Ah, it could’ve been 5 out of 5, what did I do wrong?” And I sort of forgot about the fact this album was going to be reviewed, I think because for me it was so much about getting it out to the people that wanted to own it. The people that had kept saying, “When’s the album coming out?” So I’d kind of forgotten that there would be other people going, “Well we don’t know if we want to own it, but we’re going to tell you what we think of it anyway”. Haha!

Well, Attitude gave it 4.5 out of 5. You’ve got to be happy with that?
Yeah, that’s OK. I think I can deal with that.

And where’s the video for the single got to?
Watch this space. Everyone should be able to see it very soon.

You’ve got the Erasure tour starting soon. Are you all set for that?
I think so, yeah. It’s going to be a really nice June, I think. It’ll feel nice to get out there. I hope the weather’s going to be as nice as it is today.

Have you got more dates to be announced? Lots of the fans are asking.
We’re still trying to work in a South American tour for September, yeah. I’m hoping we’ll be doing about seven or eight dates while we’re there. So, watch that space too!

So, does it only get more hectic between now and the release?
Yes, more of the same really. I’ve got a gig in the Ukraine, then I’ve got more promo in the UK including things like pressing the button for the Lottery.

Wow! Have you done that before?
I have actually, yeah. It’s quite strange. There’s a lot of security, as you’d imagine. It all feels a bit shrouded in mystery. And then the weekend after that...

Hang on, we want to hear more about the Lottery. It’s live, presumably?
It is indeed.

So what would happen if you shouted, “It’s a fix!” just before you pressed the button?
I think I’d be arrested or something. It’s funny you should say that, though, because there’s always that side of me when I’m doing live TV that thinks, “I could really just say anything”. I’ve been doing quite a lot of live TV recently, and I always think, “This could be the moment where I lose the plot!” Hahahaha!

You’d go out in a blaze of glory. Not that we’re suggesting you do it.
Oh I’m worried I’m going to do it by mistake now. I was one of those people at school that, in assembly, almost had to hold my limbs down because I thought I’d suddenly stand up and shout obscenities. I think it’s that same reason that people get vertigo, cos they’re worried they’re going to jump off the edge. It’s that same feeling.

Are you allowed to buy a lottery ticket that week?
I don’t know - I’ve never bought a ticket in my life.

Oh, it’s got to be worth a Lucky Dip when you’re pressing the button.
No. I don’t want to start. I think if you start then you can’t stop. Sorry, one second. [To man in background] “What number is it, please? OK, no problem. I’ll get out and walk".

What’s happening?
I’m off to do a load of regional radio interviews, down the ISDN line. I don’t really like doing that.

Hey now.
Oh, I mean I love doing radio, it’s just so impersonal doing the ISDNs where you can’t see the presenters. Some are great, though. It’s just quite hard to get the rapport going. But I did a regional radio tour last week where I visited lots of stations and that was really fun.

Ah yes, it mentioned that in your interview in the NME this week.
Oh, that came out did it? Was he kind to me?

Absolutely.
Good old Peter.

In other press news, we noticed something saying you’d been to the St Pancras hotel opening. How was that?
Nice, actually. There’s quite a cool bar which has a big glass window looking into the station. That was very nice. There’s always a romance for me about railway stations. And that one’s a lovely one.

And you’ve been on Lorraine a lot recently.
That’s right, doing the High Street fashion awards. That’s been really fun. Really nice people. And I filmed a Rob Brydon show last week with Bruce Forsyth.

When will that be on telly?
I think in July or August. I sang 'Of And On', and I got to do a little bit of singing with Rob Brydon. We sang ‘Stand By Your Man’ and ‘The Wheels On The Bus”. Harmonising. He’s lovely. And it was pretty extraordinary to meet someone like Bruce Forsyth that you feel like you’ve grown up with. He was very nice.

And do you have any holiday plans for this year? You’re working hard, you’re husband’s working hard, it’s important to take a break.
Yes, we’ve put in some time for August. We’re going back to my friend’s house in Ibiza, where we went last year and which is also where we filmed the Not Giving Up On Love video. I’ve realised that nobody congratulates you for not taking a holiday, and we are very bad at it generally, so last year I made the decision that I’m always going to put one in the diary now.

Well this is good news. And you must be pleased with how well things are going for you at the moment?
I am actually. And I feel very chilled out about what happens with the single and album. I’m just enjoying myself. I don’t really feel too much pressure. My hopes for the album are pretty realistic, I think. But at the same time, I’m really pleased with the response it's all getting. Life feels really good.

Sophie in NME

scans thanks to Paul

PETER ROBINSON VS. SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR

The pop queen on going indie and why she'd give Tyler, The Creator a piece of her mind

Hello, Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Where are you?
I'm in the car, going from Hull - yes, you heard me right, Hull - to Leeds! And then on to Preston where I am staying the night.

That's living the dream right there, that is.
It certainly is! I like doing radio tours like this, it's all very English and you can just appear, have a chit chat and a cup of tea and it's all very nice.

'Chit chat and a cup of tea'. That's a good stage to be at in a pop career.
Well, the last 10 days have been a bit of a whirlwind. I've been to Portugal, Africa, Singapore, Ireland, Scotland, and now Hull. I've been around a bit.

You are allowed back into NME now as you are, officially, an 'indie artiste' again.
I am!

Talk me through how this came about.
I now have my own label. I suppose it's something I've been working towards for the last few years. I had a wonderful time with Universal but I feel like it's OK to go it alone now.

Have you sorted out your letterheads and business cards yet?
I've still got to do that. I've been sent over a few suggestions of logos....

I was actually joking about that. What do you look for in a logo?
Something simple. The label's called EBGB, and we were thinking of imitating the famous CBGB logo, but I don't think we're allowed to for copyright reasons.

Would you like me to draw it for you?
With a felt pen? Or a stencil set.

If i get some coloured pencils I can do some blending for extra realism.
Let's do that.

Imagine I'm in a band. A very good band. What do i need to sound like to be signed to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's record label?
It wasn't until someone asked me who I was signing that I realised signing other acts was something I could do! I think i'd want something quite different to what I do. I want a casually dressed man with a guitar.

Where next?
I've actually been successful as ever in other countries - I'm as busy as I've ever been. And i suppose I've got the right outlook - I'm ever the optimist!

You recently announced that your album after this one would have proper instruments on it. What's going on?
My new album is electro that I want to do something completely different next, but I've thought that in the past too and I always end up putting beats on.

Is there an indie act you'd like to put a shout-out to?
Deadmau5

But he makes dance music! I see your problem now.
Well, I've started working with Ed Harcourt and Bernard Butler already for the next album, so...

Would you like to work with Odd Future?
I'd find it hard to hold my tongue because they use some fairly offensive language in everyday casual speak.

Imagine I'm Tyler now. What would you like to say to me?
I'd say , "Context is everything but I struggle to see that word as anything other than a nasty word to say".

If i were Tyler I'd say "Thank you Sophie for pointing that out, I will watch my language in future and I will also reassess my views of the gay community".
(Extended Bextochortle) Great!


The Review:
The sheer breadth of music covered on Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s fourth album is, frankly, incredible. Still only 32, and with “the most memorable chart scuffle since Britpop” under her belt (both accolades proudly mentioned in her latest press release, although we barely remembered that ‘Groovejet…’ was out at the same time as Victoria Beckham’s first single), ‘Make A Scene’ sees her straddle a multitude of different genres.

“Pop, disco, nu-disco and 1980s electronica,” cries the accompanying written bumpf. Except… all the songs here sound pretty much the same, like ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ put through a Calvin Harris filter. Needless to say, it’s totally fucking rubbish.

"Worst sleeve of the week"
Yes, you have a pretty face. Well done you. But really, four albums in, you couldn't think of anything more interesting?