Kate Nash: An Exclusive Interview!
Mmmmmm... Kate Nash is as tasty as a cupcake. Munch!
When it comes to finding chirpy, cheeky melodic pop princesses these days, where would we be if it weren’t for the Brits? If it weren't for the U.K.-based Sugababes, Lily Allen, crazy Amy Winehouse and the like, we’d have nothing to do but endure Avril’s snarl, Rihanna’s robo-pop or Fergie’s plumped-up pout.
So big cheers for Kate Nash, the 20-year-old UK import who sings breathlessly upbeat, articulate and sparkling pop tunes about crumbling relationships (“Foundations”) or just wanting to make out with her guy (“Pumpkin Soup”). Her debut release, Made of Bricks, became a mega-hit in England, and she’s now charming the pants off of music-lovers here in the States.
Get a full-on Q&A after jump...
Kate = Great!
Last week, Kate popped by MTV to eat cupcakes (she loooooves ’em) and shmooze, so I got to chat with the lovely flame-haired rising star. She’s nice and chatty... Read on to find out more about her love for Tim Burton, her gay crushes and why she keeps killing a certain cat over and over.
Cheers!
Get primed with the video for "Foundations" here...
Your first song, “Caroline’s a Victim” sounds very electro, and really different than other songs on Made of Bricks. Like “We Get On” is really sparse, and so different. Is your music changing and evolving as you’re making it?
Yeah, it just does. I’m playing around with different things really; whatever I have access to at the time. Like I was on Garage Band a lot when I was at home, and then I have other things to play with in the studio, so.... And you just adapt all the time. Now I’m writing a lot in dressing rooms or on notebooks in vans. I just adjust to whatever my surroundings are in writing, I think.
Does your subject matter change accordingly too?
Mmm... Yeah, I guess. The more life experience you get, the more your perspective changes. And sometimes you’ll be fed up with the serious stuff and want to write stuff really stupid. And other times you indulge in it... (Makes intense face.)
Have you ever heard from someone you’ve written about, like an ex? Because a lot of your songs are about break-ups...
Actually, I did get one phone call from someone about something I said in a magazine. Actually, it was two different things I said. One I said really accidentally, and the other was really offensive. But, er... Yeah. You know...
Yup. Regina Spektor has been a big idol of yours. Who else are you loving right now?
Loads of stuff. I listen to classical music, and The Beatles. Lots of punk music; and I like Modest Mouse, and I really like Gallows. I like Cat Power, Moldy Peaches, The Strokes, Janice Joplin, Carole King... Actually, right now I’m listening to loads of The Supremes and The Shirelles and like, The Chiffons. I love that. And Buddy Holly and “My Guy”...
Just hangin' in her 'hood.
I know you did lots of theater and acting growing up. Did you ever have a big crush on a totally gay theater boy?
[Laughs.] Actually—oh my god—I used to fancy Wesley! [Laughs.] When I first went to my college, I really had a crush on this guy named Wesley. He’s really beautiful. He’s mixed-race, and really beautiful. And loads of girls fancied him. And now he’s like my best friend. And he’s gay.
Is he in “Pumpkin Soup”—is it that Wesley?
Yeah! He’s so hot.
Yes! We’ve all watched the video at work and loved it, and loved him. But we were all thinking “Ummm... He’s not gonna kiss her!” He’s adorable.
He’s sooooo cute.
Is he single?
Yeah, he’s available. Pick him up! (Laughs.) He wants to live in L.A., so... Be prepared.
Did you get to meet Prince?
No, but I went to his show. But, yeah, there was a rumor in the papers that said that Prince thought that I was the “best artist since...” whatever, and then I saw another article that asked him about it and Prince was like, “Who’s Kate Nash?” But I did get invited to his show, and we went and saw him in this massive arena, and then went to this after-party, like no one does anymore. And his backup singers were there, like chanting, “Come on, Prince! Play the bass... Come on Prince, play the bass!” And Beverly Knight got up on stage... It was really cool.
Kate plays a duet w/herself? And some nice boy helps...
Gay people can get married in the U.K. Have you been to any gay weddings?
I haven’t. But I know somebody—my uncle’s friend—who got married recently, though.
You’ll probably be asked to sing at a few...
That would be wicked!
Or you can be a bridesmaid or groomsman, or something.
There are these two guys who come to my gigs all the time—I hope they get married. They travel all over the place all the time. They go to, like, Japan just to see Madonna! So hopefully, I’ll go to their wedding and maybe sing.
You and Madonna! Also, you’re a Tim Burton fan... Have you seen Sweeney Todd?
No! And my boyfriend, Ryan, got to go to the premiere of it in London, while I was here in New York... Argh! BUT, good news: I texted him and told him he had to go, because it’s Tim Burton and he’s my favorite. And told Ryan, “I want you to tell him that I think Mariella—from my song ‘Mariella’—and Vincent from his short film Vincent—if they met they’d really get on and probably fall in love. They’re destined to be together, as a couple.” Because they’re both 7-years-old, and Mariella glues her lips together, and Vincent thinks he’s doomed. So my boyfriend asked Tim Burton, “Do you know Kate Nash?” and he said, “Yeah.” And evidently Tim Burton likes me! So I’m soooooo excited!!!! So when I get back to London, I want to get invited around to him and Helena Bonham-Carter’s house and have dinner!
Then Kate’s rep from Geffen interjects: Is “Mariella” about someone you know? Because the story is so cool.
It’s kind of about my attitude when I was young, because I’m so loud and brash and clumsy and annoying, and I sometimes wish I’d never ever spoken at all in the first place, so I could just be mysterious. And also, these kids I’d baby-sit for, who were so mental, and just really honest and funny... Kids don’t care. And when you’re a kid and you really believe in something more than you’ll ever believe it in your whole life. Because your world is small, and you don’t have a bigger picture. So you think it’s all black and white, the end, full-stop. Like when you see your parents do something and you’re like, “I’m never gonna do that!” And you believe it, and then you grow up and get perspective and everything changes. It’s so depressing. [She smiles.] So that’s “Mariella.”
Rockin' a "Flashdance" homage?
Back to gay stuff: What’s the best gay bar in London? If I were flying there tonight, where should I go out?
Oh my God... I’m not good at this. Because in Leceister Square there are loads of really, er... [Kate’s manager, Ollie, chimes in: “Don’t go to the Astoria. Do NOT go to G-A-Y!”] Yep, they’re really tacky.
Ollie: Rebel Rebel is good. Rebel Rebel is like an indie disco. Go there!
Kate: Yes, Rebel Rebel!
Finally, I read you carry a notepad with you, to work on songs as you travel. Have you done any work here in NYC?
I’ve started a song. I actually started it in Berlin. It’s about a cat, who gets dumped. And he’s broken-hearted. It’s really sad; he won’t even drink his milk or arch his back when you stroke him. He’s really depressed because he really loved her. And now he’s going to try and kill himself, but because he’s got nine lives, the song goes through all the ways he tries to kill himself. It’s got to eight so far, and I’m not sure if he’s going to make it or not... [Laughs.]
Who's a big smoothie, then? Later, Kater!!!!
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