TLOBF Interview // Anna Calvi

Anna Calvi isn’t yet a household name, but many within the music industry predict she will be by the end of next year. Following a nomination in the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, Calvi’s all set to release her self-titled debut on Domino Records this January 17. An exploration into the unknown, it was reportedly recorded in several locations, including an abandoned basement and a desolate studio in rural France.

Ahead of the big day, she speaks to Tiffany Daniels about supporting Grinderman, developing a sound unlike anyone else’s, and recording in solitude.

How did the XFM gig on Thursday go?

Yeah it was good. I’d like to do another one again in the future.

You’ve toured with some impressive artists in the past. Who are you most proud of supporting?

Well Grinderman, obviously. Nick Cave is a big musical hero of mine, so that was quite a big thing for me to get to support them on their European tour.

How did that come about?

I’m not entirely sure. I know that Brian Eno has spoken to Nick about me so I’m sure that he had something to do with it.

That was lucky then! You’ve been touring with progressively more established artists – I saw you the year before last with Johnny Flynn in Manchester.

Yeah I guess, I think so. There was no plan, it just sort of happened that way. It’s always good to support people that you really respect as musicians, and I’ve been lucky that I’ve supported some people that I really like.

You only played with one other musician onstage in Manchester, Mally Harpaz. Are you going to expand your live band now that you’re getting more coverage?

We play as a three piece at the moment. I have a drummer now. I’ll be keeping that set-up.

You’ve spoken before about your Italian background affecting your song writing. Because not many people will have heard the album yet, how do you think your routes have affected its sound?

I don’t know really. My Dad is Italian and he introduced me to a lot of music when I was growing up, like The Stones and Captain Beefheart, Maria Callas and Dr John. He had a really big record collection and he also introduced me to some Italian opera, which I really like. I guess it has had an influence on me .

Some of your songs are quite sparse, while others are more traditional, and others almost have a score. How do you approach song writing?

I sort of see my songs as mini-films, and I like to create a whole atmosphere in which the song can . I want the music to tell the story as much as the lyrics. I’m very influenced by classical composers like Lorin Maazel, where the music is actually instrumental, so you can create whole worlds and whole stories just using your arrangements and your music. That has a big influence on me.

Considering you’re more contemporary than those composers, if you had to put yourself into a genre, which would you choose?

I wouldn’t! I think that genres are quite unnecessary.

You debut is due out on January 17. What have you been doing in preparation?

I’ve been doing loads of interviews and promo really. We’re doing a UK and European tour in February. The dates are up on my MySpace page.

You’ve recorded in several different places. I read somewhere that a basement was involved, and parts were recorded in France. Do you think the spaces you’ve recorded in reflect in your sound?

Whenever I work I throw myself into it, and I get quite lost in it, so it’s quite a solitary process even when there are other people around. The studio I recorded in, in France was good for that because it was in the middle of the countryside and there was nothing there at all – just a field. It was very easy to get lost in the music and just work and not have to ever get distracted by anything, which I really liked.

Do you write when you’re in the studio too?

Partly, yes.

If you write on the road is it quite a distraction, if you prefer solitude?

I haven’t tried writing on the road yet, but I can imagine it would be possible if I had a room to myself.

You’ve been put forward in the BBC’s Sound for 2011 list. How do you think that will influence you in the next year?

I think it’s great that they’ve included someone who’s not a mainstream artist like me, because I think from my experiences of the previous years it was very major label . I really appreciate that they’re looking at an artist who’s more left field. I’m really happy about it!

Who are your own tips for 2011? Who are you looking forward to seeing more of?

There’s a band called The Invisibles that I really like. They’re recording their second album at the moment.

What’s on your wish list for 2011 and what do you hope to achieve?

I hope to continue performing as a musician, and as a writer of music. There will be some singles later in the year, and I’ll play some festivals in the summer.