Sophie Ellis-Bextor has spoken to NME in regards to the probabilities of her representing the UK at Eurovision, and what to anticipate from her “psychedelic, proggy” new album ‘Hana’.
The British pop icon was chatting with NME backstage after her efficiency at Liverpool’s Eurovision Village on ‘EuroEve’, the night time earlier than the Music Contest’s Grand Last within the metropolis (Friday Might 12).
Stepping off stage, she informed NME: “I actually loved myself, the group had been beautiful. I used to be up in Liverpool yesterday so I already had a way of the environment right here and I used to be actually wanting ahead to tonight.
“I’ve cherished Eurovision since I can keep in mind. I really like all the pieces that it’s about – I really like the heat of it. You get the impression that there’s numerous help for each other among the many artists, and the entire manufacturing of the particular present has been wonderful.”
And has she ever been tempted or requested to signify the UK at Eurovision herself?
“Not likely,” Ellis-Bextor replied. “I feel doing it’s an incredible alternative, and that [2023 UK entry] Mae Muller will smash it, however it was by no means the correct factor on the proper time – and I’m an enormous believer in serendipity like that.”
Muller is at present heading in direction of a UK Prime 10 with ‘I Wrote A Music’, regardless of ending second to final within the competitors, and the ultimate was the most-watched within the Music Contest’s historical past in response to the BBC. Off the again of the success of latest winner’s Måneskin and final yr’s UK entry Sam Ryder, Ellis-Bextor mentioned that the elevated reputation and credibility of Eurovision ought to come as no shock.
“Eurovision has been operating because the mid ‘50s so there have been numerous shifts since then,” she mentioned. “I’m certain that again when Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton John did it, it was seen as a very good thing to do.
“Within the UK, we pleasure ourselves quite a bit on our music. We’ve created numerous globally-dominating bands and artists – so when issues don’t go so effectively for us at Eurovision, I feel it’s fairly straightforward to get snooty about what it represents. We weren’t capable of unlock learn how to get on the correct aspect of the leaderboard.”
She continued: “Current instances have seen Eurovision artists launch wonderful songs exterior of it and these wonderful careers being launched. Sam Ryder’s method to it final yr the place we all the time simply so constructive and upbeat simply noticed him actually seize the chance a bit. That is Ukraine’s Eurovision however held right here, so it has different themes occurring. It’s not simply actually about who’s acquired a humorous outfit on. It’s about linking folks collectively and supporting one another.”
For her personal efficiency within the village, Ellis-Bextor carried out a run of her personal singles alongside a ‘biggest hits of biggest hits’ from the likes of Madonna, Moloko and Modjo – telling NME that her latest reside units have been impressed by the pop hedonism of her widespread “Kitchen Disco” livestreamed performances from lockdown.
Talking about selecting her setlist, Ellis-Bextor mentioned: “What makes a superb tune? Golly. I’m not excellent at answering that. All I do know is that every one my favorite songs work the identical magic on me each time I hear them.
“It doesn’t matter what temper I’m in the beginning, I’m all the time in a the identical sure temper on the finish. That’s what makes a superb tune – if it casts the identical magic.”
Requested if that hedonistic pop vibe can be inspiring her upcoming seventh album ‘Hana’, she replied: “Truly, no – it’s fairly a special temper now! It’s optimistic and it’s pop-y, however it’s additionally fairly psychedelic, proggy and synthy. It was a pleasant place to place different emotions. It’s additionally my third album with Ed Harcourt. We’ve plotted just a little course, and I really feel like I’ve acquired much more daring with making my data and making them just a little bit on the market.
“I’m actually fortunate to have the ability to go right into a studio and say, ‘I had this actually bizarre thought on the way in which right here’ after which get to flesh it out right into a tune.”
On the over-arching themes of the document, Ellis-Bextor mentioned: “I began writing it in 2020 simply earlier than the world tilted. I used to be occurring a visit with my mum and my eldest boy to Tokyo, and I’d by no means been. It began off with the thought of someplace I used to be visiting and what I believed it could be like. That turned a very nice panorama to go to in my thoughts in the course of the instances we couldn’t journey anyplace.
“I additionally misplaced my step-dad not lengthy after that, so there’s grief in there – however it’s additionally about how grief is the opposite half of affection. It’s in regards to the legacy of wanting to hold on and reside your finest life of their identify. It’s all woven in there. Oh, and there’s additionally a tune about aliens.”
Does she imagine in aliens?
“Oh golly, both reply to that query is extraordinary – we’re both alone or we’re not alone,” she replied. “The tune is that this fantasy of aliens who’ve been watching us for ages and have seen what a state we’ve gotten ourselves into. They give the impression of being round and say, ‘We will save a few of you, we really feel sorry for you so let’s begin once more’.”
Ellis-Bextor and Mercury-nominated solo star, producer and Libertines collaborator Harcourt have beforehand labored collectively on 2014’s ‘Wanderlust’ and 2016’s ‘Familia’. The singer informed NME that she was drawn to working with Harcourt as a result of he was “the actual deal”.
“We’re fairly completely different on the floor however once we’re within the studio we predict very equally,” she mentioned. “We’re fairly impulsive and excitable, we’re fairly fast employees, however he’s additionally one of the vital musically gifted folks I do know. He’s very beneficiant along with his expertise and can simply interpret issues in a really completely different approach.
“I really like the albums we’ve made collectively, and we additionally giggle quite a bit. He actually is criminally underrated, however he has facilitated and supported numerous artists.”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor releases ‘Hana’ on June 2, earlier than embarking on a run of pageant dates earlier than a headline tour within the winter. Go to right here for tickets and extra data.
