KEEPING THE FAITH
She’s been a cabaret dancer, an actress and even a magician’s assistant, but it’s as a heartfelt songstress that we have now come to know and love Paloma Faith for. Not just a latter-day Amy Winehouse, Paloma’s jazz-blues-pop comes along with heaps of imaginative twists and one theatrical wardrobe to match. Just check her debut Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful? for reference. Or just read on.

Hello Paloma. How’s the limelight treating you?
It’s pretty wild, especially for an only child! (Laughs) But I still have a long way to go, I think. I would love to write more albums and continue to challenge myself… and have children.

What drove you to give music a try?
Well, I was doing a master’s course in directing for theatre and my lecturer once asked me what my subject matter was. And I always thought he was talking about the medium. But he told me that it doesn’t matter what creative communication you use, because it’s more important how you express yourself and what you’re trying to say. I’ve always remembered that because it allowed me the freedom to express myself in whichever way I want.

Did your previous experience in cabaret, dancing and acting help at all in your music career?
Yes, everything I’ve done before and all the different worlds I’ve been in have informed my music…

You’re kind of like a Renaissance woman.
I quite like that! I’m a total experience junkie, anyway. I have lists and lists of things I want to do before I die – and I’m going to do them all. And actually, I was inspired by the Renaissance period for my album cover.

And judging from that album cover, you also seem to have a thing for fantasy…
Yes, ‘cos fantasy really expands your mind and allows you to see different possibilities. I’d much prefer the fantasy, instead of being restricted to what is in front of me.

And between the truth and something beautiful?
Something beautiful, definitely.

www.palomafaith.com

Text: Min Chen
Interview courtesy of: Universal Music