This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist Interviews
Q&A: Sophie Ellis-Bextor
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 5 May 2010
One time indie girl Sophie Ellis-Bextor first arrived on the pop scene a whole ten years ago now, reaching number one with Groovejet’s ‘If This Ain’t Love’, and has been cropping up ever since with her mix of mainstream pop, disco and electro.
To date she has released three albums and a string of top 10 UK hits, including ‘Take Me Home’, ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ and ‘Catch You’. After spending the best parts of 2007 and 2008 supporting George Michael and Take That on tour, Ellis-Bextor is now back with her new album ‘Straight To The Heart’ which is set to be released in July. With her first single from the album ‘Bittersweet’ out now, Sophie took some time out to tackle our Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
God, I haven’t been asked that for years. That’s a bit of a retro question. I started out when I was sixteen, I was in a band called theaudience, kind of like an indie-pop band. I was pretty fortunate because that band got scouted when we were doing gigs round Camden and we got a record deal. I signed the record deal in May and I sat my A-levels in June, and left school and went on to become a full-time popstar.
Q2 What inspired your latest single?
The single is about the beginning of a love affair where you are aware that you might get really hurt and it might be bad for you but you are in over your head and intoxicated by it and can’t do anything about it.
Q3 What process do you go through when creating a track?
It depends who I’m working with, but generally we start out with nothing, or maybe just a few chords and then my job is top-line, so I do all the melody and lyrics and stuff, and just start noodling little melodic ideas and see what catches, and then start putting lyrics to it after lunch normally. Usually we spend the morning doing the noodling and the afternoon doing the writing. I’m better at night time actually.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
I’ve been influenced by loads of folk over the years. The best pop songs are by people like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince. I also like the more synthy dance edge of artists like Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx, the 70s discopop of Georgio Moroder and the wistfulness of bands like Goldfrapp.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
I wouldn’t talk I’d let them listen. I’d hope that it would speak for itself.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
Just to keep doing what I’m doing. With every album I always hope that it gives me the opportunity to make another. Anything on top of that is a bonus, but that’s kind of what I always hope to get out it.
MORE>> www.sophieellisbextor.net
