pic: LastNightsPartyDebut Novembre, Sous la pluie et le froid nous avons été rendre visite a Lily Allen; du temps est passé depuis sa cover de 50cent, et si elle continue a faire des betises, ce n'est pas bien grave, c'est a cause de toi, pas d'elle.
Arrived at the station at 7am. Was wondering about all those red roses brooches. Got a fever in Top Shop. Enjoyed a double whopper at Burger King. Saw Obama's face on every covers. Got lost trying to find the place for the interview. Finally found my way through that crazy matinée and sat in the green couch of a typically brit hotel surrounded by journalists from Elle Sweden and some japanese feminine magazine (can't remember its name). Coffee and free wifi access. Someone brought me to Lily gently asking not to talk about personal matters. 'Music and the new album. That's all. Right?'.Me : Your second album It's Not Me It's You is to be out on february 9th. You said It was a lot of work. More than the first?
Lily Allen : Not exactly, but it was certainly more preassure. There were a lot of people waiting for it. And with paparazzi and everything a lot of people are judging me.
Me : 'I think I've grown up as a person and I hope it reflects that'. This is what you said about the new LP and the time you've spent with Greg Kurstin in the studio. What do you mean by that? If you're a grown up now, what do you think a grown up album is?
Lily Allen : Have I really said that? Where did you read that?
Me : It was written in the EMI paper we were given. And I thought it sounded so serious, like aren't you gonna say the F word again and become the perfect pop star?
Lily Allen : No, No. I may have said something like that but only concerning the subjects I wrote about for this album. It's the kind of subjects you can hear everywhere actually. It's just that it matters to me now and it's kind of new. There are more serious subjects I didn't want to write about two years ago.
Me : You said a lot of things about recording companies. What does it mean for you to have a new album out? Is it still like really important?
Lily Allen : For me it means the press will have something to write about. They will at least write about my music.
Me : What about remixes of the new tracks?
Lily Allen : There's actually something coming up with Soulwax.
Me : What were you listening to when you did the album?
Lily Allen : Keane. Not only their music. I like them. I like the way they stand as pop stars.
Me : Ok so If I ask you about your favorite albums today. You're gonna say Keane, right?
Lily Allen : Of course, but also Tv On The Radio, and the album Alison Krauss did with Robert Plant. And Kings Of Leone too. They are good friends of mine.
Me : You're a music nerd, aren't you? Which music blogs and sites do you usually visit?
Lily Allen : Well, I usually check Elbows, Stereogum.... Mmmmm and your blog too, of course.
Me : I've seen the video you've posted on your myspace. You know the one in which Sarah Palin thinks she's speaking to Sarkozy. You wrote that it's both funny and scary. Politics, is it one of the serious subjects you've just told me about?
Lily Allen : Well yes, I think so.
Me : Today it's all about Obama. He is the one on tabloid and newspaper covers. So hey what would you do today if you were the black president of the US?
Lily Allen : Gosh that's a tricky question. I don't feel that concerned. You know that's good but he's not my president.
Me : Ok let's speak not so serious topics. Where's your favorite night spot in London?
Lily Allen : Thursdays at Yoyo. If you're still here tomorrow you should definitely go there. It's a club for the new hip hop scene and I've seen all the french there too. Justice, Mehdi...they used to come and play Yoyo.
Left the place wishing for a late drunk itw at Yoyo next time. And I headed to the Old Blue Last to begin with a pint. Lily Allen - Everyone's At It (myspace)
itv: ambre / thx: Magali