Paloma Faith confident about O2 Academy date in Birmingham

Nov 27 2009 by Andrew Coleman, Birmingham Mail

IT has been a great year for singer and actress Paloma Faith whose debut album Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful charted at number nine and has now gone gold in the UK.

The album’s title track is released as a single on December 21 and on Thursday she plays Birmingham’s O2 Academy.

You’re known for your acting skills as well as your music. What’s more nerve wracking – getting up on stage to sing or to act in a play?

When I’m doing any performance I’m okay, I think I get more stage fright in every day scenarios. The other day I had to ask someone for directions and I was like, ‘I don’t want to ask, I’m too scared’. It’s a weird conflict I have going on.

What’s the title of the album about?

It’s the name of one of the songs on the albums and it’s my personal favourite. It’s a question to the public and the media because I think we live in a culture where the idea of being iconic has been lost. I think the reason we don’t have any contemporary icons is because we know too much about people.

There’s also another meaning I attach to the title. It’s about when you meet someone new and as you get older you start to reflect on the fact you’re not so innocent and fresh as you used to be. It’s about me reflecting on the fact it may be better if I don’t tell you the truth because it might put you off.

You’ve been likened to Amy Winehouse and Duffy. How do you take those comparisons?

I think those girls are both very talented and credible and I’m honoured but, to be honest, I don’t agree. I think we have similarities in our influences but I’d say I add quite a lot of myself into my music and there’s a huge reference to cinema. When I get interviewed abroad they can’t see it at all, only the British keep on going on about me being like those two.

You’re pals with Shingai Shoniwa, the lead singer of The Noisettes. How did you meet?

We met on the cabaret and burlesque scene about six years ago. We both used to sing on that circuit and we were both pursuing music but we weren’t writing as hungrily as we are now. We ended up living together for a while and became really good friends and we’ve just seen each other grow. It’s really exciting to see someone you are close to do well.

PALOMA FAITH

Thursday, Dec 3: O2 Academy, Birmingham Tickets: 0844 477 2000.