Jamie Lidell

Electro enigma and soul singer/songwriter Jamie Lidell arrived in London yesterday (Thursday) in preparation for his appearance at the Latitude Festival this coming weekend.

With his latest single entitled ‘I Wanna Be Your Telephone’ we couldn’t resist the opportunity to give the former DJ a call on his, ahead of its official release on Monday (July 19th).

The single is the second release from his third album ‘Compass’ and one he looks forward to performing to the masses at Henham Park, but not before checking in with his label, Warp Records where he made time to take our call.

Music-News.com: How do you feel this album compares to the last?

Jamie: It’s a very different to my previous albums 'Jim' and 'Multiply'. It’s an album rather than a collection of singles and it’s a slightly slower burn, but it’s the whole picture and illustrates where I’ve been and where I am both sonically and personally in my life. I think 'Jim' may have confused fans somewhat, as my fans would listen to it and then might hear me beat-boxing the next. Electronica is still a huge passion of mine, but I think 'Compass' fuses everything, which is why it’s so diverse in terms of styles and sounds.

Why ‘Compass’?

Jamie: The album’s name, 'Compass' is kind of symbolic of how I‘ve gone about writing it, it’s about me trusting in my own direction. I don’t think you can fail in any career or ambition, be it cookery or anything for that matter, as long as you trust in yourself and your own abilities. I remember supporting Prince and being up on that stage and thinking if we can do this here we can do this anywhere, it was a real buzz.

You collaborated with Beck to produce it, what’s he like to work with and what was his influence?

Jamie: Yes, I met Beck when I toured with him in 2006, which is when we formed a friendship and it was him that encouraged me to do this album. Beck is a very creative, spontaneous and holistic person who is very sharing and generous with his time, creativity and indeed his home and personal space. I feel flattered that he wanted to work with me and it is him that led me to write in the way I have for this album.

Is it right you wrote all of the songs on the new album in a month, what was your muse and how did you go about it?

Jamie: It all came together quite quickly in between the times I met with Beck. I was quite embarrassed the first time we got together as I didn’t have any proper material, so I worked hard on writing some and when we next met I’d written loads. The thing about music is while it can take a while to get the production right, it shouldn’t take long to get a sketch together and this is how it happened with us.

Two months on from its release, is there was anything you would change about the album and if so what would it be?

Jamie: No, I really don’t think there is. I’ve taken quite a big risk in being true to myself with this album and have laid myself bare, so it really is something I’m genuinely proud of and feel represents me best.
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If there’s just one thing a listener takes away with them after listening to your album, what would you like it to be?

Jamie: I just want people to listen to it and feel they’ve got something from it, I want them to feel the same burn.

The new single, ‘I Wanna Be Your Telephone’ is officially released on Monday, what made you choose this as the second single and what’s it about?

Jamie: It really goes back to it not being a collection of singles, but an album that represents a journey and where I am at now. Therefore it just felt natural to release this one next.

What was the inspiration behind the video and who’s the model who appears in it?

Jamie: It was my girlfriend’s idea and it was her that was behind the camera so I’ll hand you over to her...

Jamie’s girlfriend, Lindsey Rome: We were totally inspired by pin-up girl, Betty Page and the videos we watched of her on You Tube in which she simply dances in front of the camera. We just loved her innocent little dance steps and expressions, which are a complete contrast to the overtly sexual S&M type videos also produced, and we just loved the simplicity and wanted to replicate it. The video features a friend’s sister who is in fact a paralegal by day and Jamie himself stars as a modern day American photographer & film maker, Irving Klaw.

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whose telephone would you most like to be and why?

Jamie: (Laughs) I think it would have to be Obama, at least for a day anyway. But of course for different reasons to that which I originally wrote the track. The track was written about my girlfriend when I couldn’t be with her, due to travelling and touring. It was a tough time and I can remember thinking I’d have given anything to be any possession close to her, be it her lipstick, handbag or telephone. Now I’m with Lindsey, so Obama’s phone would be pretty cool.

Any clues as to what single you’re likely to release next?

Jamie: It all depends on what my record label decide and if they allow me to release another, but I think Coma Chameleon would be a good one to bring out next, as it’s a loud ‘fast food’ appeal track, written mainly by Beck and is much more commercial than others on the album.

How long are you touring for and what can fans expect from your live shows?

Jamie: We’re touring currently and this will continue until the end of 2010 and potentially extend into 2011. I’ll be including tracks from all 3 albums in my live shows to ensure there is something for everyone and to try and ensure people understand where I’ve come from and where I am now at and ultimately to make sure they go home with a smile on their faces.

Who do you rate at the moment in the musical world?

Jamie: There are lots of them, but MicRoCheep are amazing. I think they are in a different league. They’ve developed their own language and have a kind of fluidity to their music that’s just unique to them. I also love LCD Soundsystem, who I recently saw at Wireless and was blown away. I learn so much from acts like these. I’d love to have seen the original ESG live and still want to catch Tom Waits and PJ Harvey live.

Where do you ultimately want to be 3-5 years from now?

Jamie: I’ve had a lots of studios in which I’ve written music and laid the foundations for songs, but I’ve never had a fully-fledged studio in which I’ve produced a single or album in its entirety, so moving forward I’d love to do that, and I’d love to produce other people’s work too.