The Anchoress has recently returned with her new album Confessions Of A Romance Novelist, here Catherine Anne Davies – the author of the project, so to speak – answers five questions for us.
WHO would play you in the film of your life?
In the name of keeping things interesting, I’d quite like to be played by the ginger twins from Harry Potter, James and Oliver Phelps. I’m 5 foot 3 inches – they’re both over 6 foot 3 inches. Then there’s the small matter of gender, but I think they’d do a decent job of conveying my wildly polarising moods. Julianne Moore can take over for my later years, followed by a turn from Julie Cooper from the OC, who everyone at school said looked exactly like my Mum. I’m hoping for that to happen to me too. More importantly, the film of my life should be soundtracked with copious melancholy strings from Van Dyke Parks and an unrelenting internal monologue, voiced by Patti Smith. I imagine it only has a limited release…
WHAT are you currently working on?
Becoming BFFs with Taylor Swift. We had ‘a moment’ at the Billboard awards in Las Vegas where she pointed at me and said she loved my dress (red pvc…). I feel like that was the start of something special. Or perhaps she was just admiring the inlaid mother of pearl on my guitar. Rather than pursuing this unrequited love I should probably be working on spreading the word about my debut album, Confessions of a Romance Novelist, which is out now… I have been working on that, on and off, for the past three years though, so perhaps I’m due a Swift break (fast meeting). I’m also currently working on a collaboration with genius axe-wielder Bernard Butler. We are back in the studio in March to put the finishing touches to that. I’ll also be playing a few special live shows this year so I’m currently working on how to translate the complex and detailed production of the album, which includes copious segues, and 25 layers of ELO-style vocal harmonies into something that can work with a four piece band. Like I said, I’m working on it…
WHY do you do that thing you do?
I was christened rather late on, at two and a half. The priest tried to drown me and held me under the water for a good half-minute. I’ve not been quite the same since. It makes swimming, ferry crossings, and bath time rather interesting. I “do” music partly because I fell down a flight of stairs and injured my back in a way that you don’t want to do if you want to carry on being a classical dancer. Everything happens for a reason… Music was always integral to my life though so the muse isn’t too insulted at being an almost second choice.
WHERE do you see yourself in ten years?
Ten years older, hopefully… In the studio, as per usual. Productive. Happier? Doubtful. Less obsessive with the wisdom that comes with age? Hopefully. Six albums in? Definitely.
WHEN will there be a harvest for the world?
Next Tuesday, around 3pm. At least that’s when we had the school assembly for harvest festival. If we’re talking more in the global sense then I fear that moment has passed. I hate to say it, but we are undoubtedly headed for yet more child poverty in the UK and widespread food shortages across the third world. It’s doubtful civilisation as we know it will exist in a 100 years time once the oil has run out. Now there’s a cheery thought…
For more head to Iamtheanchoress.com.
