An Interview with songstress Adele

October 20, 5:08 PMPop Media ExaminerKatrina-Kasey Wheeler

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Adele Laurie Blue Adkins – known simply as Adele – is the North London born songstress who has taken the world by storm. Her debut album debuted at number one on the UK album charts, and has been certified platinum, thus effectively catapulting her to superstardom. Since then, she has toured with artists such as Jack Peñate, as well as Jamie T, Raul Midon, Amos Lee and Devendra Banhart. She has performed with luminaries such as Jools Holland, Paul McCartney and Björk. She has garnered critical acclaim from critics and her peers. Her video for hit song, “Chasing Pavements,” received an MTV Video Awards nomination for best choreography.

Adele sings with conviction and an inner-knowing that is translated only through life experience. Her lyrics relate with listeners on a profound level. Although labeled by many as a jazz singer, Adele has described her sound as "heartbroken soul".

This week, Adele, along with Jamie Cullum, and Beth Rowley will be guest singers for the award-winning pianist and composer Burt Bacharach at the BBC Electric Proms event.

Katrina-Kasey Wheeler caught up with songstress Adele for a Q & A.

Katrina-Kasey Wheeler: Did you come from a musical family?

Adele: No, not at all. Though since my record came out they’re (her family) all saying I get my singing from them.

KW: What artists did you grow up listening to?

A: I grew up listening to pop music mainly. Sticky pop, chart music! But then I got into Destiny’s Child, Mary J, Faith Evens and Lauryn Hill when I was about 11.

KW: Who was your biggest musical influence?

A: My main influence is Etta James. I believe every word she sings. She’s the love of my life by far (ha-ha).

KW: You graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology. How did that help to shape the artist that you are today?

A: It’s very encouraging to go to a school where everyone is creative and productive. The lessons were helpful but jamming with the other students and hearing their songs and ideas helped me to evolve more.

KW: Was it early on that you realized that you wanted to pursue music and make it your career?

A: I never intended to sing for my career. It never occurred to me it was a possibility and I never took it that seriously. I just wanted to sing and, luckily, everything just fell into place after I recorded my demos. It finally hit me that my career was a professional singer once my album went to # 1 in the UK!

KW: Tell me about the first time that you sang “Rise” by Gabrielle.

A: “Rise” was the first song I ever sang in front of an audience other than my mum and cousins. I was 11 and my school choir was having auditions for the Christmas Concert and my friend, Dion, put my name down for it. I thought, why not, and I ended up being chosen. It was fun until I realized I forgot to turn the mic on once I got on stage, so no one ended up being able to hear my sing.

KW: The lyrics that you write really resonate with a lot of listeners. You sing with such conviction and knowledge of the topics that your songs focus on. You have been labeled as a jazz singer, do you agree with that categorization? You were a huge success on Myspace which resulted in your recording contract. Were you surprised by how fast it all came about?

A: I don’t think twice of myself as a jazz singer. I used to scat a lot when I was a teenage, especially, when I was listening to a lot of Ella Fitzgerald. But jazz singers are amazing so it’s definitely a compliment. The speed of my career so far really bothers me! I had 3 songs on MySpace in 2004 and by 2006, when I finished college, I had interested from XL. Then from there it’s a blur because so much has happened in such little time!

KW: What is it like to work with Jamie T?

A: Jamie’s one of my best friends and I’ve been a fan of his since I was 16. He used to play in Camden most Saturdays. I think he’s amazing. He put out my first single and then it just seemed inevitable that we’d record together after the outcome of that. His voice in incredible!

KW: Are there any artists and/or producers that you would like to work with in the future?

A: I always wanted to work with Jack White, (I just did a song with him) and The Raconteurs, which was a dream come true. I’d love to do my next record with Rick Rubin and I’d also love to collaborate with artists like: Beyonce, One Republic, Elvis Costello and The Streets.

KW: What was it like to perform with Paul McCartney and the other artists on the BBC? It must have been an amazing experience.

A: I met Paul McCartney on my debut performance on the show. Looking back on it now it was one of the best experiences ever. But at the time it was all too much to take in, I felt completely out of place and pathetic But that’s why Jools Holland is such a great show – we’ll have a legend on one episode and then the next a random, new, unsigned act as well.

KW: You were the first recipient of the “Critics Choice” BRIT Awards, and you had yet to release an album. That is a testament to your talent. You must have been ecstatic?

A: Winning the Brit Award was ridiculous! I used to watch the awards and then pretend I’d won one and give a speech in the bathroom mirror holding a can of hairspray as the award. So getting a real one was a dream come true. I have it above my toilet it makes me smile every time! (ha-ha)

KW: A lot of your fans look up to you as a role model. How do you feel about that?

A: I love it when people tell me they feel comfortable in their own skin because it’s what I do. I love that other young woman realize you don’t have to act a certain way, look a certain way or be into certain things to be in the dame league as other singers that look “perfect.” I just hope I don’t fuck up and let any of my fans down!

KW: What artists are you listening to these days?

A: I love, love, love Vampire Weekend, Chris Brown, Kings of Leons (new record), Laura Marling, Jack Penate, Klaxons, and still my old favorites Etta, Aretha and Marvin Gaye. I’m just getting into Keisha Cole, I heard her here in the states. I know she’s been around for a while but I’m not sure she’s out in the UK yet.

KW: Apart from the tour, what projects/events are you currently working on? Is the new album being recorded?

A: I’m writing bits and bobs for the new records but I can’t write properly when I’m on the road. My heads to busy! So after my next U.S. tour in January, I’ll go away and write and record my 2^nd record

Adele – Cold Shoulder

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