Behind the music - Emma Anderson of Lush

Emma Anderson, the co-founder of 90s indie darlings Lush and, later Sing-Sing, has released her debut solo album, Pearlies. We asked her the BIG questions . . .

The genesis of the album began with Emma feeling disillusioned after Lush's 2016 reunion ended abruptly.

"I thought we were in it for the long term, so some of these songs - or even just parts of them - were actually going to be for Lush," she says. "That didn’t happen, so I had these songs and bits of music that I didn’t know what to do with."

Picking up the pieces, she began recording home demos and worked on some music with the cellist and string arranger Audrey Riley, with the intention of writing for film or TV.

At this point, Emma intended to use another vocalist, but Audrey pushed her to sing lead. Later, when Robin Guthrie, formerly of the Cocteau Twins and with whom Emma had worked extensively in the early ’90s, offered to do some further recording, he also insisted that she started - belatedly - singing her own songs.

"He basically said, 'If you don’t sing, I am not going to do it’, so I decided I would," recalls Emma.

"I am not someone that feels comfortable in the spotlight, so for me to take centre stage, metaphorically speaking, was quite a big leap."

Tell us three things about yourself . . .

I have never seen Star Wars. I have recently found out I am 100% intolerant to Cos lettuce and blueberries. Edie Sedgwick and Peter Christopherson from Throbbing Gristle are both in my extended family trees.

How would you describe your music?

I normally leave that to other people but, I guess, song-based electronic indie melodica.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Oh, too many to put really but a few: Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, The Beatles, Wire, The Carpenters, Big Star, Laura Nyro, The Buzzcocks, John Barry . . .

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Japan at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in December 1981. They were supported by Blancmange - so Blancmange was the first band I saw live.

What was the first record you ever bought?

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I can’t remember the exact one but amongst the first were Greatest Hits by ABBA, The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl and Yes Sir, I Can Boogie by Baccara.

What’s your favourite song right now?

Tal Uno by Barrie.

Favourite lyric of all time?

"I loved you a long time ago, you know, Where the wind's own Forget-me-nots blow, But I just couldn't let myself go, Not knowing what on earth there was to know" - Another Day by Roy Harper.

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell. One of the best songs ever written, if not the best.