Pop Noir: 13 Questions with Martina Topley-Bird
"I was
exposed to lots of different kinds of music and culture living in
London, and my parents traveled a lot and loved bringing stuff back
from their travels. I suppose it's made me open to non-mainstream
music."
Posted: March 5, 2008
Interview by Anna-Lynne Williams
Martina Topley-Bird has been an important vocal
presence since first gracing Tricky's debut album, Maxinquaye,
in 1995 and several of his albums that followed. Her first solo
album, Quixotic, was released in 2003 and was immediately
lauded and nominated for the Mercury Prize in the UK, though it
wasn't made available in the USA until the following year, with
a new title and track order. The solo collection of songs revealed
unique melodies, slinky rhythms, and poignant lyrics, which served
as fine atmosphere for Topley-Bird's decadently rich voice. Her
second album, The Blue God, has been produced by Danger
Mouse and will be released this year on Independiente Records. The
first single ("Carnies") is already out and suggests an
album of even more rewarding pop and dance songs than her previous
efforts.
How do you feel about lyrics in music? Are they the focal
point? Are they a distraction?
I love really dense lyrics and lots of imagery and symbolism like
with Joanna Newsom and Tom Waits. I think they're only a distraction
if they're bad! For me, it depends what the starting point is. If
I start with a melodic idea that seems to want an opaque lyric,
they aren't my favourite kind of lyrics, but if that's what the
song wants and it feels right, then that's what it should be.
Do you draw more inspiration from fiction, film, music,
or everyday life?
Well, everywhere and nowhere really. You have to be receptive to
it, that's all. I'm really into South Korean film at the moment.
That's where the most inspiring art is coming from for me.
What is your approach to translating recorded songs to
the live setting?
This time 'round it's a pretty literal translation of the record,
'cos I love it the way it is and it's relatively easy to replicate
live. Last time I wanted to change things I wasn't happy with on
the record, and some songs really fell apart if the string section
wasn't represented so we did have to come up with adequate solutions.
I mean, I hate string pads so that wasn't going to happen, so we
had the string section committed to vinyl and played it in like
that.
What music did you grow up listening to? Do you feel that
your sound now incorporates the music of your upbringing or denounces
it?
I suppose in England when I was a kid they used to play songs from
the '60s on the radio. I remember hearing the Beatles and Frankie
Valli so that's what I associate my first memories with, and there
is that [influence] in this record... Kate Bush, too. And then Prince.
I pretty much denounced my parents' R&B and anything that was
lifestyle-orientated or aspirational for what my supposed demographic
was.
Was there a particular album that made you first consider
becoming a musician?
Not really, no, just the experience of singing.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
I don't know... Finishing anything always feels like a huge accomplishment
to me! "Phoenix" was wordless for a long time, we tried
a couple of different things that we didn't think did the track
justice. Then when I locked into it and it was done that felt amazing,
such a relief and a triumph and a catalyst for finishing the rest
of the songs.
How did where you grew up influence your exposure to music
and your tastes in music?
I was exposed to lots of different kinds of music and culture living
in London, and my parents traveled a lot and loved bringing stuff
back from their travels. I suppose it's made me open to non-mainstream
music.
Is the concept of "the album" important, or are
you more invested in songs as individual experiences?
Both. You have to do the fully realized songs, then you put the
songs together in a grouping and sequence that makes sense or tell
the story you want in the way you want, like scenes in a movie.
What are three things that you love?
Turquoise, sushi, love
What makes you unhappy?
Confusion
Is there anything about music as a business and industry
that is off-putting to you?
Yeah, but I'm over it now.
What have you always wanted to do, but haven’t yet?
Make a movie.
What recent albums or artists are you enjoying?
MGMT
Visit Martina Topley-Bird on MySpace: www.myspace.com/martinatopleybird
and at her website: www.martinatopleybird.com
Identity Theory's recommended listening: "Sandpaper Kisses"
and "Valentine" by Martina Topley-Bird
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