She's Cracked It!
Dido Florian Cloud De Bounevialle Armstrong left home at 15, reckons she's "worth 15 billion pounds", guzzles painkillers and measures hotel swimming pools before she checks in. "I'm just a normal North London girl", she insists to Adrian Deevoy.
Slightly Crap On The Guitar.
How were you in 2001? In control, it seemed...
Not dissimilar to how I am now. I didn't know what was going on then and I don't know now, but I've never stopped and looked at the bigger picture, I've not questioned things. Then and now, I see the world through songs and that excites me as much as ever.
Were you happy?
Yes, because I'd discovered that music was utterly limitless and it would entertain me for the rest of my life. If they invented a drug that would make us live forever, I'd never get bored of music. Whatever happens, whatever comes my way, music is a rock of certainty. Whenever I'm on a plane and things get turbulent, I start humming for comfort. It really freaks people out.
Did you enjoy being super famous?
I got the balance right. I don't feel people need to know me. I feel the same about other singers. I love Adele. She transports me somewhere special but I don't want to know anything about her. It would spoil things.
Were you scared of playing live?
At first definitely. I had such bad panic attacks - which isn't entirely a bad thing - but when I was up there I'd lose myself in it. I really don't like miming. I did it once on Italian television for 'Hunter'. I had no idea how to do it. Never Again.
What happened with Safe Trip Home: artistic triumph but commercial disappointment?
Who knows? Maybe it was timing, maybe people didn't hear it. I love that record, it was a labor of love and I ripped my heart out on songs such as 'Grafton Street'. I feel it was there for the taking - I didn't want to ram it down anyone's throat - and people chose not to take it. After a few gigs, I realized these songs were too dark and emotional to bounce around on stage. It was the wrong album to tour heavily, so I didn't.
And the new album?
Half is some stuff I did when I went around America with a keyboard. I'd sing the vocals in my hotel room the moment I'd finished writing the song, with the microphone propped up on a pile of books. The other half is a big electronic extravaganza. Everything I love's there including my brother Rollo. I've massively over-written.
How's the rest of 2011 looking?
I'll finish the record. Then I'll have a baby. After that, I might be quite busy and tired, so the album won't appear until I'm ready. Then I want to go back on the road. I'm overjoyed to be pregnant, but I've really missed playing live. I'm always shell-shocked to discover people out there wanting to listen.
Any regrets?
Not being better at the guitar. There's no excuse, but in a way it's better being slightly crap, because when I learn a new chord, I go off and write 5 songs to celebrate.
What would the Dido of 2011 say to the Dido of 2001? Would she like her?
We'd definitely get on, seeing as we're the same person. I'd say, "You're going to love this because it's going to be so great. Don't think about it, enjoy it."
(Source)
