New British female pop singers plan to take over the world in 2009 - there's so many of them it's getting a little scary. Marina & The Diamonds is one of our favourites and we think she's going to crap all over Florence & The Machine's expected party. Recently signed to 679 Records (home of the equally brill Little Boots and citing Vivienne Westwood as one of her biggest influences, her wobbling and creepy vocal makes you sit up and notice and conjures up ideas in our head of Regina Spektor doing a dance of the seven veils with Kate Bush. We caught up with her for a quick chat!
Who's in the band?
Just me. But I have some lovely boys who back me up live. Nobody knows
that I'm a solo artist usually.
You're half Welsh, half Greek, but now live in London. What do you love & hate about it?
It's brilliant - London has so many crazy pockets of creativity - its THE BEST place to be for an artist. My favourite things are Primrose Hill, Brick Lane sunday market, Yasir Halim Greek/ Turkish Bakery on green lanes and the charity shops around the rich areas (Um..hello, Chanel suit for £40)
The horrible bits are people being cold and unfriendly, coffee Shops shutting early (they close at 1am in greece), tourists being everywhere- standing on the left hand side of
escalators when I want to rush down them. And slow walkers - literally want to punch them in the back of the head.
What's the current state of Marina & The Diamonds then?
I am writing, rehearsing, recording, making a line of costume jewelery, making t-shirts with Swarowski jewels and shit on them. The next two months are going to be manic.
What's your favourite London venue?
I don't really have one. I just like old-man pubs in Soho in which i can drink whisky in the day times. I do LOVE Moshi Moshi Sushi in Liverpool St station though.
Can you think of a cool London location that would be amazing to do a gig at?
Um... Tiffany's, De Beers, Elizabeth duke.... i.e. diamond shop.
Have you ever busked? Would you ever?
No I haven't. I was too scared people would throw pocket fluff at me! Gross.
What's your favourite record shop in London?
Puregroove and Rough Trade. They're the two great independents and both have so much history. Plus they both helped me out one year ago when I was unsigned, unknown and untalented.
If we couldn't listen to you, what other new London bands /artists should we be checking out?
Micachu - She is a total genius.
When can we see you playing next?
I'm doing a UK tour at the end of February, but London is my last stop so I'll be
What's your London secret?
- Don't punch people in the back of their heads when walking.
- Do smile a lot - do you really want to die alone?
- Go get cheap sushi at 'The Japan Centre' in Piccadilly
Marina's debut single 'Obsessions' is out to buy in mid February but you can get a stonking remix of it for free right here!
