the first interview for the new sockformation! it’s been a while but i’m pleased to be able to finally publish a handful of questions i put to one of the rising stars of the british pop scene; eliza doolittle.

—

how did you find the transition from putting out an ep to recording and releasing a full album, did you use the ep as a kind of learning curve?
they ep was a way of introducing my record to people and also to put something out for the listeners i did already have at that time so they didn’t have to wait so long for the album.

there is a great lyric in your song ‘nobody’ that goes “then somebody does what nobody does/and everyone follows them just because of the buzz”. did you ever feel this “buzz” when you started the album, especially after the positive reception and airplay the ep received?
buzz meaning hype. i was actually lucky enough to not have to much of the hype. was very lucky to have a little bit but my journey even with the radio airplay was very gradual. never believe the hype!

i read that you choose not to write about boys or ‘love’ and focus your songs on “more important things”. to you, what are these important things that trump the basis of the vast majority of pop songs (love)?
well i actually think that love is the most important thing in the world. where would we be without it? but i like to write about love in a different way to boys and relationships.

after listening to the album through completely a number of times, i found there was no noticeable fluctuation in quality and that each song had its own endearing strengths. did you ever struggle to decide which songs to release as singles when it came to promoting the record?
yes, it was a difficult choice because i love so many of the songs, but hopefully i can release lots of these as singles at some point. i’m excited to put visuals to at least half the album!

once the festival season has come to an end, do you have any plans for the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011; what can we as the public look forward to from you?
lots and lots! i’m doing my 1st uk headline tour in october and am also supporting paloma faith straight after that. i’m releasing my next single ‘rollerblades’ on october 18th so keep your eyes and ears open for that too!

finally, when you’re not touring do you get much time to see other bands/musicians? who is the best act you’ve ever seen live?
i try to as much as possible. especially at festivals. i think the best artist i saw live was stevie wonder at hyde park. and i also really loved prince at the o2. i also got to see one of the xx’s first gigs from their debut album. that was amazing.

-interview by lewis booth-