Having just been named the 2012 winner of the Brits Critics Choice Award, not to mention a series of collaborations with Professor Green and Wiley, plus a sold out Q Now: The Sessions show at London‘s XOYO on 24 January, this year sees Scottish singer Emeli Sandé stepping into the spotlight on her own after years of writing songs for everyone from Tinie Tempah to Cheryl Cole. With her debut album Our Version Of Events released on 13 February, the singer talks about her debut album, her dream collaborators plus her ambitions for 2012. Plus win tickets now for Emeli Sandé’s Q Now: The Sessions show by enterting our draw now.
How the devil are you?
“I’m good, really busy. It’s a bit mile-a-minute at the moment, but in a really good way. [laughs] I’ve not long finished opening for Coldplay on their tour.”
It’s not long now until the release of your debut album…
“I can’t wait to get it out there and see what people think. It’s been four years in the making, so I’m really excited. It’ll be the culmination of a lot of hard work.”
You’ve written songs for Professor Green and Tinie Tempah. Didn’t you fancy roping them in as guests for your album?
“No, I wanted to keep it pretty simple so there aren’t any guests. But there is a song that I co-wrote with Alicia Keys called Hope on the album, which I just about managed to get finished in time. That was an amazing experience, she’s incredible.”
You have written songs for so many other artists. Is that something you’ll ever dreturn to now you’re releasing music under your own name?
“It’s hard to say, but I think so. It’s a very different experience – writing songs for yourself is a way more personal process. But I do get a real kick out of working with others. I’d love to collaborate with Bon Iver in some way. He’s just an amazing, amazing artist.”
You studied medicine for four years at Glasgow University. Is your debut dark and somber like an episode of Holby City or fun and breezy like an episode of Scrubs?
“It’s probably somewhere in-between, like Casualty! A lot of it is quite dark but I think it’s a hopeful album. There’s a lot of joy on the album.”
What’s on the cards for you next year beyond releasing the album and touring?
“Well, I really want to learn the cello. I already play the piano and clarinet. I play piano on the album but I don’t do any crazy clarinet solos or anything, sadly. Maybe I’ll do one as a bonus track…”
Al Horner@Al_Horner
Head to Emelisande.com now for more informa`tion and win tickets now for her Q Now: The Sessions show on 24 January by enterting our draw now.
