Emiliana Torrini, e.nu interview #3

PhilouMinety, MarieMJS on january 31st, 2008.

Year 2008 could not begin without some smalls revelations on the next Emiliana album. So we've asked to the best person, able to answer us. How's that who? Emiliana of course! And big thank to her of course.
So, we've played curious on her next album, possible artistics projects, and even a "on-topic" question about the musical download. Emiliana gives us a very interesting opinion on it. Have a good reading!

Interview

Hi Emiliana! First of all, thank you for answering all these questions! I wanted to thank you in name of the whole team, because the site is now 4 years old, and it has been an incredible collective adventure for us. Sharing our love of your music with the fans is just fantastic. So tuns of thanks to you, and your music, that created that big community. And also, a very happy new year 2008!! So, how are you?

I am very well thank you. Happy birthday e.nuuuu!

We recently heard that you were working on your new record, and that you already had written some songs for it. "Fisherman's Woman" was a different music style compared to "Love in the time of Science", should we expect a new "artistic" direction for this new record? Can you tell us a bit more about it?

Well I have around 10 songs now and am desperate on it coming out in september as i am getting very restless. The record is different from the last one in songwriting and in sound. I am writing it again with dan who will play most of the guitar again as he is my favorite guitar player. Eg and I also write one song on this record as we did on the last one (editor's note : Eg from band Eg & Alice. He has already worked with Emiliana on her two last albums). The songs are quite different from eachother. It is almost a transitional record. A change is happening and I have a feeling it will come to its own on the next record after this one. Maybe.

Is the record still planned for the end of 2008?

Yes hopefully september. It has to or I will cry. Or start another straight away.

One question that comes back often on our forums, some fans wonder if one day your previous albums : "Merman", "Crouçie d'où là" will be available again?

No I really dont want it too. I have a funny relationship with that record and I guess I have disowned it in someways. My mum proudly took it out of the shelves at christmas and played it to my boyfriend. I hadn't heard it since i recorded it. It was too painful... I didnt like it. She laughed. He blushed.

Is a live record on the work?

I have never really thought about it. Mabye I don't know. I will deffinately think about it.

It's time for a very "on-topic" question. What do you think of music downloads? Recently, Radiohead released their new record on the internet, and the fans could download it for a free, or pay for it as much as they wanted. What do you think of that idea?

They are one of the biggest bands in the world and I think what they did was brilliant. Using them as an example for all of us is not going to work as their world and mine are quite far apart. Some people argue that they are saving the artist from their record company. That they don't want to give the money to them. Well that depends on the record company. They do work hard. I am very happy at mine.
They leave me to my own devise doing what I want to do and are very supportive. They take care of the stuff that I don't want to deal with and don't know how to I guess... At least up until now. I want to do the music that is all. I rather they get the money and keep their jobs than some guy on some website that I have never met gets a big belly instead for doing absoloutely nothing. There is always someone out there to make money so the money is now divirting to others and it isn't the artist... And soon not the record company either.
It is a weird time. It is unknown what is going to take over. Maybe it won't be so doom and gloom. It is just exhausting figuring it out. But doors are open now for a new vision a new way. I am just worried about jobs lost. Already many have. Me speaking as a record buyer would personally never download music for free as I want my favorite bands to keep doing music. At least not until the "new way" comes along and makes everyone happy. Some saying that the real artists will persevere and would keep doing music no matter what. The real artist... Well that is all relative. Life is rarely that simple as sircumstances come into it as well. Working in the day, making music at night. You rarely hold a job when you have to travel so much and knowing how much work is involved in making records. I know,I did it. People also have families and so on. I for one believe everything should be free. Free internet connection in airports and hotels... I would love to start my day with a free paper sitting in my warm house, heated with a free windturbine on my roof and free solarpanels. A free coffee at my favorite coffee house then go to my grocers and get my water I need for the day (to me buying water is stupid I think it is a right), free then jump on the train to go to london without a ticket and a big free smile on my face. Heaven.

What should we wish for you, in 2008?

Ah thank you. Don't wish me anything. I am happy. Do something useful with it rather.

Thanks a lot for your time, Emiliana, and again, Happy New Year!!

Same to you be well.