Following her debut album ‘Messy’ being shortlisted for a Mercury Prize, Olivia Dean caught up with NME on the red carpet, and discussed what it was like meeting Elton John and how she aimed to capture a sense of rawness on her record.
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00:00 How are you feeling about tonight?
00:02 I was feeling really nervous until like yesterday and then I just decided that I should just have fun
00:08 and just take it all in and it doesn't really matter what happens and I'm here to sing my granny's story
00:13 and you know share that with everybody and everybody watching and then that's my mission complete so
00:18 What's the response from your family been like? What was it like when they found out?
00:24 They were very happy, they were very happy I think a bit shocked like me as well
00:30 but they're just they're so supportive and I couldn't ask for a better reception and family support
00:37 Last time we spoke to you it was only three weeks since the album came out
00:41 What's it been like since then? How's the response been?
00:43 It's been amazing we've been playing lots of festivals we've done like 20 festivals all around Europe
00:48 I'm quite tired truthfully but it's been so nice to have people sing along to the music
00:54 for so long you're in the studio squirreling away with something and then to be in front of a whole crowd of people
01:00 and like they're singing it back to you it's like it's one of life's most beautiful things so I'm very grateful
01:06 So other than the Mercury Awards what has been your highlight for 2023 so far?
01:11 Just other than the Mercury Awards, Glastonbury, Glastonbury was a big big slay I loved all I played three times
01:19 I met Elton John the weather was fab I had a great time yeah loved it
01:24 What was it like working with Elton?
01:26 I didn't work with him but I did get to meet him backstage at Glastonbury and he is just like as you would imagine Elton John to be
01:32 lovely amazing glasses like he just yeah that was a crazy moment it was like 10 minutes before his show
01:39 and I was like why are you speaking to me like you definitely should be warming up so that was very cool
01:44 I feel like part of the reason why your album resonated with so many people is literally there are elements of messiness and imperfection to it
01:52 I feel like no one else would notice that but you've said yourself that you do notice those imperfections and that's what makes it feel human for you
01:59 Why was it important for you to keep that and put that at the forefront of the album?
02:05 I think I was just growing a little bit frustrated with music that I was hearing because I love soul music so as I was saying like Bill Withers and Carole King
02:15 and all that kind of Motown era and I was getting frustrated about how robotic things felt and I was looking for comfort in the music and I wasn't finding it
02:23 so I was like I really want this album to feel like and sound like it was made by people in a room together and with joy and with love and mistakes
02:32 and just feel like I don't know achievable if that makes sense and I think we did that I think so
02:40 Out of all the albums tonight which ones have you been vibing with this year which ones have you been enjoying?
02:45 Ray's album I love her we're really great friends love her so much Ezra Collective so fab
02:51 Who else's album do I love? Lord Karnas album of course I had the opportunity to feature on that which is very awesome
02:58 Jessie Ware love her too actually everybody is really quite good
03:02 Be honest if you were to win tonight how would you spend the money?
03:06 How much money do you get? I believe it's 25,000
03:11 I would go on holidays I would go on a really big holiday am I supposed to say that am I supposed to say like something that oh no maybe I give it to charity no I would give it to charity
03:22 I would do half and half, half and half
03:24 Maybe after the holiday right?
03:25 I'd do half and half that's an honest answer
03:27 Thank you so much best of luck tonight congratulations again
03:30 Thank you so much
03:32 (laughing)
03:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]