Everyone's humming her tunes and talking about her style but what is popstar Eliza Doolittle really like? Linda McGee caught up with her during her recent visit to Dublin to talk song-writing, musical influences and those Lily Allen comparisons!
Linda McGee: Take us back to the beginning Eliza... you've got quite a theatrical family, did you always think that you would end up in this industry, performing for a living?
Eliza Doolittle: No, not necessarily, but I always loved singing and then the minute I really wanted to do it, I wanted to start writing, so I did and then I got a publishing deal when I was 16 for my writing and then spent all these years experimenting with my sound and eventually I'm here now with this album basically. I got a record deal about two years ago.
LM: So when you were still very young you felt the urge to write your own material, that urge was always inside you?
ED: Yeah. I always really loved singing and I think that the minute people ask you 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' you think 'I want to be a singer' so I just started writing because that's a really good thing to do. I didn't want to just be any singer who just sung other people's songs. I wanted to write as well. And the minute I did I really enjoyed it so I kept doing it.
LM: Growing up, did you listen to your parents' records or who were your musical influences?
ED: Do you know what, my dad only listens to classical music. I like classical music but it's never really been my thing... so that wasn't really an influence (laughs). And my mum just listened to whatever was kind of in the charts and stuff. I never remember anything in particular that she listened to. But I think I was influenced when I was younger by a lot of what my older brother was listening to and that was the whole UK garage scene and I was really into that from like the age of eight until 13 or 14. I still am actually, to be honest. But it's not there anymore. I kind of go back to the old stuff. And I think that's probably influenced me quite a lot and what friends were listening to. I loved Michael Jackson when I was little... and the Spice Girls (giggles). Obviously when I grew up I listened to lots of other music, everything from Stevie Wonder to Steely Dan and Jeff Buckley... loads of different music... I hope that all of the music I listen to goes in my brain!
LM: Do you now think to yourself 'Gosh, I'm doing the best job in the world'?... because you get to get up everyday and do a job that you're really passionate about.
ED: Yeah, definitely. Being able to gig and travel and write and work with great people, it's just really good fun and I wouldn't change it for the world.
LM: What's been your highlight so far? Have you had a moment where you thought 'Wow, I'm living the dream here'?
ED: For me the moment of the whole year, and my whole life really, is just the release of my album. It's my first album and it feels like my whole life's been working towards this. I mean, obviously releasing it full-stop is amazing and then the recognition it got... I had no idea people knew my music. It was just a huge shock actually that it did ten times better. Even just releasing it, without it doing well at all, I would have been over the moon to finally have something, a little CD to pick up, so it was just amazing to finally have that out.
LM: So you must get a real kick out of doing live gigs where people turn up and sing along to the words that you've written?
ED: Yeah. It's amazing. I mean, I've been doing gigs since I was 15 and I've done gigs to like two people, so it's amazing to finally have people who just want to come. It's just the best feeling for me and even better if they sing the words. Sometimes you get people who'll just sing the whole song for me. I can just sit back and retire!
LM: Would you say you're very conscious of making music that will be a commercial success, or that will fit into a particular genre or do you just write for yourself, because these are the stories you want to tell in your songs?
ED: Yeah, I just make it. I mean I always hope that the songs are good and if the songs are good people will like it but I don't make it for people... I think I just make it and have fun while I'm making it and I just really hope that people like it and that people can enjoy it in their own way as well. Obviously when you get people making their mind up about what it is, which genre it is and stuff, that's cool too. I understand people have to do that too to get across what they think it sounds like but I think it's always nice to actually be fresh with it and actually call it a unique sound because I think it is. I think the first song I wrote, when I wrote 'Rollerblades' basically, I remember thinking 'This is something I haven't heard before' and I based the whole album upon that sound so I know that, even though I've lost a lot of perspective because I'm so close to it, I know that it's something different so I kind of always hope people will see that.
LM: Do you think it's difficult for female artists to escape being compared to each other? You get the whole Lily Allen thing a lot, don't you? Does that bother you?
ED: Yeah, for the exact same reason. I wish they'd just listen to the music and realise that it can be something individual. It doesn't have to be like someone else. Girls singers say all the time 'I'm just compared to...' and it's just annoying I think for the females. Just because we've got boobies doesn't mean we've got the same music.
LM: We have to ask you about your style too. You always look really funky on stage. Is dressing up and experimenting with your look something that you enjoy and think enhances what you do?
ED: Yeah. I think music and fashion go hand-in-hand and it's just really good fun to play with outfits and pick an outfit for events and shows and TV things. It's just really good fun to play with that and I like putting my twist on things. I like what I like and I just try to make it my own I suppose.
LM: Last quickfire question before you're whisked off... who would you love to collaborate with if someone was granting wishes?
ED: Stevie Wonder. He's the one guy that I would want to work with and I know it seems impossible but.... a dream's a dream!
Eliza Doolittle's self-titled album is out now.
