Marina and The Diamonds

0:00No. Take two. Here we go. How you doing? Okay. So where are you guys driving? Where are you guys coming from? What's going on? Where are you off to? I'm at Echo Beach in Toronto. Oh, very nice. That's it. Have you checked in everything? I'll have it. I'm standing to you, so I can't. Right. So I won't take up too much of your time then. All right. That's all right. They can wait. Yeah. Of course they can. Well, let's start with this just dessert song because you and Charlie. So how did that all come about? Is it because of the tour or did the tour come about? We were like three or four months ago. We were emailing and we just got on as like as

0:46friends and then we were like, I'll show you something together. And I had this old demo. He just had the hook on it. And then I was like, do you want to do your rap thing on the head? And she was like, I love it. And so yeah, we also did a little bit of that and we called it just dessert and put it out. So you've known it for a long time? It's probably been like a year and a bit, a year and a half, something like that. So that must be nice to be on tour with a friend as opposed to, you know, making friends on the road. Yeah. Do you know what? It's weird because this year, well, for this album, I've been really lucky because all of my supports have actually been my friend. So Miss Mr Icon of Pop, pretty much from the start, it's been really nice.

1:31It's a change, like you said. It's a real change. Yeah. Well, and another change is the fact that you're playing a bigger venue than the show was scheduled for. I know. It's up in the case, like, on throughout the tours, or is this just happened? We're just special up in Canada. No, like 11 or 12 venues got upgraded. So what's that like as an artist? Does that does that does that mean like maybe we should add more dates? Maybe this electric heart tour should go on longer than originally planned, or does it still stay with? No, I still, you know, this is the end of this. This it needs to end for me. I should know. I think it's just a nice ego. I think I'm I think after this. After this tour, I'm like ready to end it because really I could do more dates.

2:18There's not really much point. I can't go on the radio here. So that you know, I'm not going to like sell any more records anymore from this album. Well, that's enough. And that's something miraculous happens. Like, you know, I get a huge saying or something like that. So, yeah. So I think it's like a high point to end it on. And yeah, just proves the internet gets you lots and lots of fans. You don't really have to rely on on radio as much as I kind of thought. Yeah, the old traditional model for sure. So what is that tweet then from April 17th that all these fans are speculating the death of Electra Hart on 0808 13? Oh, wow. I can't tell you. No, obviously not, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I mean, it is the end. It's the end. Something will come out.

3:07It's the end. Something will, well, because you were in what? You were in New York writing a bunch of stuff in February? Is that what I hear? Yeah, but it's not something new. I've written. I mean, it's kind of there is new music to accompany something new to mark the end. Okay. All right. I like this. I like where that's going. Is it something like a like some sort of video perhaps? Because I feel like your record, this record at least could be turned into a screenplay. Like it is a full story start to finish. If you wanted to, it could be a movie of sorts. Well, it could be a musical. I was, I hope that like one day when I'm a big enough artist, I could do Electra Hart on the musical because it really is like, it's like a, you know, it's really satirical, melodramatic camp.

4:01It would be really good, I think, but that's a very nice comment to make. The thing is I have like, I've done this video series, so I have three parts. So I'm on part 10 at the moment. Yeah. So there's a video will accompany. Yeah. Well, you were talking about the stage design being for this tour being like a musical. A little bit in some interview I was watching. Yeah. Yeah. Well, the show is like a musical, but I hate to say that because musicals get a bit of a bad rap. You've got that in the movies too. That's fantastic. That's what you just started every show. That's great. So the other quote that I read, the music followed the desire to create a big stage. So you had this stage show in mind when you were writing the record.

4:48Yeah, definitely. I wanted something really smart humor again, you know, with a little bit of satire and classic Marina citizens in it. And yeah, I'd sooner the record was finished. I like immediately started to build the stage show. I got a great set. Design has helped me. Whereas the first album I've never had any of that. You know, I was like buying $4 props to like enhance my show. So it's been a really satisfying thing for me to be able to do. Well, that's everyone's there. I mean, even cold play the first time I saw them just had a glow one stage, you know, $10 prop, but that was their thing on that first run. But so you're writing this record. I assume I think you write on the road is what I had read somewhere. So I was with Katie with Coldplay on all these dates and you're seeing these massive stage productions and you're writing these songs thinking about a live show.

5:41So are you watching their shows and being just taking little ideas and nicking things from the. Totally. Yeah. Like, I mean, also they've been to the greatest kind of acts at all. Because they're both pop with a different end of the spectrum. So it's interesting to see like, basically an indie rock band like Coldplay do, you know, still produce a spectacle. And then someone like Katie used like, you know, this completely plastic candy land kind of thing. And just, you know, I just kind of, I like analyzing what they did and what, you know, I'm like kind of applying up myself and seeing what words and what one works. For example, I don't know if it would suit me if I had like 20 dancers behind me.

6:29Right. The part of my budget either. So. Is that something you'd want to do down the road though? Is that something you've thought of bringing the dancers and doing that whole music? The music lends itself to that kind of pop feeling. It does, but I don't know. I wouldn't. Doesn't appeal to you. No, it does, but I don't know. I don't know. I would like for it to follow the rules of fear some more than I've like. Pop. Right. I got it. I like that theater. So, so when writing, I guess I already asked you that. Oh, theater. Oh, that's one touch on Lion King. What part did you audition for? What did you want to be in the Lion King?

7:15I think I was just like, it was just a chorus part. Okay, let me rephrase that. What would you like to play in the Lion King? Now that they would be able to turn you down. Probably a pinball. Okay. Yeah, that's a pinball. Who would be your town? You could pick anyone to be Simone. Simone, maybe Charlie could be too late. I can be telling this. Very, very, very, very. Sorry, I have to go there. I don't know why. I'm not going to go there. I'm going to go there. I'm going to go there. Lonely Hearts Club. I hear the Lonely Hearts Club. Obviously, I think of the Beatles, Sergeant Pepper. And you're singing in this really low register on the tune. I hear Rusty Anderson from McCartney's band plays on this record a little bit. Home record references Lonely Hearts Club. So was, was Pepper a.

8:04A influence on this record or just, am I just the Beatles fan reading into things? Cause that's what I do. You are definitely just a Beatles fan. I mean, obviously I kind of, I have a Beatles fan as well. But yeah, I did intentionally Nick's the name. But obviously they did it first. So I did kind of Nick it. How do you get someone like Rusty to play on your record? How does that happen? Rick Knolls. The producer? Yeah, he had a connection. Oh, interesting. Okay. Yeah. What else do I want to talk about? Oh, sex. Yeah. Well, Spotify's the way. No, he's ever asked me that. What's that? Well, sported I said. Well, well, I see anything with Beatles relation and I just got hurt over the bus.

8:51I like the sex. Yeah, lyrics. I mean, I see a title like sex. Yeah. I'm like, okay. And then I actually went through the song and I was like, those are some really interesting different lyrics. Like nothing is provocative anymore. If women were religiously recognized sexually, we wouldn't have to feel the need to show our assets. Yeah. So do you want to talk about writing that one a little bit? I find that to be a really interesting topic. Thanks. Yeah. It's kind of like a song that hasn't really been noticed for a reason, but it's a really important one to me. Mainly because it has a very definite message. And I think as like a pop artist or someone, you know, moving around in that world, it's like, you know, it's a confident song to put out.

9:40But it seems more like a fan favorite. Oh, interesting. Than anything else. I think probably because in the UK it wasn't included on the album because my annoying manager at the time said that I shouldn't put it on there. And I think believe that. I'll get back to that in a second, but you just I got a tweet from somebody asking me if the song, Elektra Heart is ever going to be put anywhere. It will. It will. So we've answered Johnny Lux or whatever his name is. But nothing is provocative anymore. Is one of the lyrics in that song. Do you really feel that? Or is that Elektra Heart talking? No, I mean, actually, that has like one of the more like, if we're going to say Marina Elektra, like that's more of a Marina song because I wrote it.

10:30That was like the second song I wrote. I mean, it was in it was around Family Jules era. So I mean that. And I think it's true. Like what else is shocking these days? You know, I think the kind of era of Lady Gaga has kind of moved on in terms of, you know, being shocking. I don't think you can really be that shocking with anything. Yeah, well, you're talking about being theatrical on stage and wanting to make it theater. How do you make something shocking? Are you trying to? Are you trying to push those boundaries or do you want to? Well, not at all. I think what I mean for me as a former, what I want to do is make a kind of statement of personal expression. And you can only do that and have an effect if it's genuine. So it doesn't have anything to do with provocation. I think, you know, it's like, I should talk about this toy and interview.

11:25It's like after the whole era of like Lady Gaga being like really kind of shocking and very interesting as well. Along with someone like Lana Del Rey, where she just wears Tisha and jeans, but she's still very interesting person and perhaps more so for not doing that. So, you know, music just like fashion has its bones, curves and waves and trends. And I think we're currently in one of those trends. We're moving away from that now, which is nice. It's refreshing. I think. Are you in character when you're on stage? Do you like, do you transform? Sorry to jump around here. I decide we don't want to get on stage. I don't mind. I don't mind. I don't think so. But do you feel like you need to transform yourself into that character when you get on stage?

12:11I think, it's weird because I think any performer like transforms anywhere, they become like much more exaggerated version of people that are more like more calm than. So, I mean, an actor has just a name, but still it's still part of my personality, all my imagination. So, still quite easy to come and do it. I'm probably worrying that I should admit. Does it take away some of the insecurities and the vulnerabilities though of standing? I mean, I know you're used to it now. But even as a writer, I'm sure that it must help when you know. No, totally. Totally. And you know what else helps is costumes. Costumes make you feel the part. If I wasn't wearing the lace gloves, the wedding bells and stuff, I feel like I would feel completely different walking on stage.

12:59And I did used to for the first time when I felt like I have like really ridiculous thoughts. Like, oh no one here wants to see me or like I am completely crap and everyone hates me. In the crowds, which is so stupid because people come to you because they like you. So, I think this whole like album has been helpful. You know, this kind of production, they really see my personality and as a performer anyway. Yeah, I'm excited to see what comes next even though you won't give me any hints, but that's fine. I understand. I got to let you go. So, we do something called five questions. Five quick questions. One word answers. Road or studio? Road. Leninger McCartney? Lening. When you hear a song what usually hits you first, lyrics, melody or rhythm? Lyrics.

13:54Song you've written your most proud of. Robots. And in one word, Marina in the Diamonds. Marina? Oh, nice.