First off I have to say I'm well chuffed that The Huffington Post have asked me to write this blog for a while. Its very flattering when people are interested in how you feel about things and that hasn't always been the case over the last few years! Result.
Not sure if its the dreaded January Blues or what, but I've started this year with an uneasy feeling. I spent Xmas and New Year in the Caribbean where I grew up (I know, I've lost your sympathy already) and a trip to LA midway through that to film a new video. Getting back to London was a sobering jolt to the system. I think it boils down to me being nervous about my first solo UK release this march 2012. The record has surprised everyone by being a smash in Europe but I know that means little to the UK music business. I've been asking myself a lot of questions lately like where does the desire for success come from and is it healthy for my creativity etc and just generally over thinking things way too much. I should just shut up and get on with it really...
Lana Del Rey was sitting behind me on my flight to Berlin this morning. She dropped her newspaper and lit up with a smile and a thank you as I handed it back to her. I'm a big fan of good manners. A lot of people, including me, have been touched by her music. She wrote Video Games with a dude I know in New York. What a tune.
We were both signed by the same label in Berlin, Universal, who are amazing at finding acts before international labels get on the case. Lately a backlash seems to have emerged after a couple shaky performances and a no show in London. I can empathise with being thrust into the spotlight before you've had a chance to catch yourself. Trying to grow as an artist and a person under intense scrutiny is a nightmare. Some people seem desperate to label her as a fake. Why can't it just be a good tune sung by a beautiful girl? Keep doing your thing Lana. We Like the Bad Girls Honey...
I'm trying to get my head around this whole SOPA debate thats raging at the moment and figure out what it means not just for us musicians but also for freedom of speech. I personally feel that steps need to be taken to channel revenue back into the entertainment business but this seems like an attempt to give with one hand and take with the other.
I know that the Wikileaks scandal last year terrified governments and, although this is not directly related, I was waiting for a sly move from them to try and regain control of information online. Its a massive shame that they have to piggy back the entertainment industry's attempts to revive itself. Ironically I was reading about it all on Wikipedia who have also been caught up in the debate. They're not renowned for their accuracy and have still got me down as two years older than I am! Oh well, its cool to be 30 now apparently...