TALK TIME:Marina Diamandis Greek-Welsh pop singer talks to EOIN BUTLER
Is it true that your only ambition from childhood was to become famous?From the age of about nine, I knew I wanted to create something, to express something. But growing up in a tiny Welsh village, the only way I could articulate that feeling was to say that I wanted to become famous. I started planning my career from about the age of 15, but I didn't tell anyone until I was 19.
How did those ambitions evolve?Well, at first, all I wanted was to get famous. But eventually, when I started getting auditions for manufactured pop bands and stuff, I realised that I would hate to be involved in any project in which I had no creative input. That's when I started writing my own songs.
Would you have considered any alternative routes to fame?No, there was always something inside me telling me I had to be a singer.
Who inspired you to sing?No one, really. I was living in such a remote place. I really wasn't exposed to that much music. Maybe I'm just lucky in that I just have an innate musicality because I don't really care for music that much at all. I know that sounds weird, because I'm a composer now, but I was always much more drawn to personalities.
Who were the personalities that inspired you then?Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, Juliana Hatfield, Daniel Johnson, Dolly Parton, Madonna.
A lot of oddball female music artists have broken through in the past two years. Does that open the door for you, or make it more difficult to establish a separate identity?Both, I think. I'd be doing this regardless of whether female artists were in fashion at the moment or not. Five years ago, I'd probably have been categorised as "alternative". It's a challenging environment either way, but if you're good enough, you'll always do well.
Do any of your contemporaries inspire you?I don't know. I'm sorry. I don't really listen to new music either.
Is reading reviews a rollercoaster for you, or do you have an innate belief in the record that's separate from anything anyone says about it?Definitely the latter. . . I spent so long working on the album that I know it's the best reflection of this period in my career. Anything beyond that, whether it succeeds or fails, is outside of my control. Obviously though, I'm thrilled with the positive reviews – as anyone would be.
What about performing live?It was very nerve-wracking at first. I had been demo-ing songs on my own for ages, but the first time I stood up in front of other people I was terrified. It was an open mic night in Camden. I turned up on my own and didn't tell any of my friends what I was doing. On my first tour, I played in Aberdeen to seven people. That was just horrific. Those experiences make you tougher, I think, because you've done something that other people would not dare to do.
Like VH1 'Behind the Music'?Exactly! I'd love to see the Marina and the Diamonds episode.
Despite the 'Diamonds' moniker, you are essentially a solo act. How do you amuse yourself on tour?It's tough. If you're a painter, you wouldn't be asked to just stop painting for two years. So by the same token, I hate the idea of not writing just because I'm on tour. So I try to keep that up as much as I can. I also love reading biographies and watching documentaries about people like Madonna and Marilyn Monroe.
You've had hit singles and sell-out shows. Is success all that you had hoped it would be?It is actually. It's very similar to what I envisaged. Lots of exciting things have happened already. Kanye West blogging about me was definitely a highlight. Coming second in the BBC Sound of 2010 poll was also great. But I really believe everything I've dreamed of will happen eventually. What else do I envisage? I'm not going to tell you. Because then it won't come true!
Marina and the Diamonds’ The Family Jewels album is out now on 679 Recordings
