CBR, as her camp refers to her, comes to you all the way from Germany and it's our first international interview!
For those of you who don't already know, Corinne is an artist that is crooning beautiful lyrics and soulful melodies from Europe. She recently made her big debut here in the states and picked up three Grammy nominations on her first album.
This interview is one that came out of necessity. I was sitting in a dorm lounge playing 'Put Your Records On' and three different individuals stopped and came over to ask me if that was 'Corinne.' I quickly realized I wasn't the only one on the bandwagon.
We had to go back to our old school way of interviewing by emailing Corinne overseas and she replied with all the answers. Below is our email conversation.
Check Out J:Q&A™ Corinne Bailey Rae
1.) Tell us the story behind the conception of your self-titled album, Corinne Bailey Rae.
There was no conception as such. My manager had secured me a small publishing deal which allowed me to spend all my time writing songs and developing the tracks that ultimately became my album. When I got my record deal I had almost 100% of the album recorded, which meant I retained creative control right through the process, which was very satisfying.
2.) I know it can be different for everyone, what is the songwriting process for you? Where do you find the words and the melodies...?
It's different almost every time, I don't have a set routine for song writing. With "like a star", the song came to me whilst I was playing some new jazz chords I had been shown, on my guitar. The tune and most of the words came pretty much at the same time, and even though I thought about changing some of them later, I didn't. Other songs, especially if I am working with another writer, will be more like batting ideas around until one or the other comes up with something that sounds good or interesting or just "right". Then I usually work on the words and the melody on my own. I think I once heard Paul McCartney say that songs are 'out there and if you can tune into them, they will come' - and I agree with him!
3.) You have such a unique style, sound, and appeal, where does your inspiration come from?
I am inspired by lots of things - sounds, songs, books, films, photos. And of course musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Bjork, Billie Holliday, Marvin Gaye, and Led Zep - have influenced me a lot. I am still inspired by these artists and never tire of listening to their music, but I have never tried to sound like any of them. When I open my mouth to sing it's just me you're hearing, same as if I open my mouth to talk!
4.) From what I understand you got your start singing in church. That turned into you getting first electric guitar and you ended up starting a band soon after. For those that don't know your background, tell us the story of how you got started.
I didn't get started in church as such, but that's where me and my sisters and mum went, a normal brethren church and singing was part of the service. But I never had a voice that made me believe I could be a singer one day! I was hearing Madonna and Whitney and Mariah and other girls with pop voices or really big voices, and I just never thought my own voice would fit, so I just kept my head down. Then, when I was a teenager, someone from our church played us some Led Zep records and that was it for me, I started to take a real interest in heavy music, and grunge too, with bands like nirvana and belly and Bjork the voices, in my mind, were not perfect but expressed the sentiment in the songs brilliantly, and honestly. I realised then you don't need a technically perfect voice to express emotions in music. The same pastor at the church gave me an electric guitar and from then on I was happiest in my bedroom writing songs and learning chords, and soon after I started my band "Helen" with some friends and had great fun just being in a band for a few years.
5.) When talking to "your people," I mentioned how I was sitting in a dorm lobby and three people in five minutes heard me playing your song. Each of them stopped, looked over at me and asked, 'Yo, is that Corinne?' People seem to be learning your name globally now, how are you received going from country to country?
I play a lot of shows everywhere – in fact I won't go to a new country just to do promo, I insist on at least one show where people can come to see me play the album, its such a different experience. And that has been the most satisfying aspect of the work so far, the fact that wherever I play – and I am on tour in
6. I ran into some of your background singers a few months ago, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, just days before you taped your first Oprah Show, and days after the Grammy nominations. Talking to them, it seemed like that was just an amazing time in your life; tell us about what that time was like.
It's impossible to describe the feelings I am having. Oprah, the Grammys, platinum records - I am obviously very happy that my music seems to have attracted a lot of positive attention, and the album has sold really well everywhere. The album only came out a year ago in the UK, and 9 months ago in the USA, but I have been around the world in that time presenting my songs and I am always touched by the response and also when someone like Stevie Wonder or Mary J. Blige comes to me to tell me they love my album – that means so much to me. Its much harder work than I ever thought it would be, but really satisfying.
7.) We know you were recently here following the Grammy nominations, are you coming again?
I am touring through April and into May with john legend, so check my web site or johns for details.
8.) Rumor has it you're working on your follow-up to your self-title album... Is there any truth to the rumor?
I have had no time for writing at the moment. So it's a rumour! But I have a lot of ideas I want to work in and will be taking some time off soon to focus on that.
9.) Artistically and personally, how would you describe yourself to people who don't know you?
Honest! I try to write honest songs, I try to be an honest person.
10.) Is this how you've always dreamed of your life? (If yes) How so? (If no) what did you want to be when you were growing up?
I don't know if I always had this dream, or ever had this dream! As a child and teenager I was quite shy and happy to keep myself to myself. I was also a good and happy student and focused on getting good grades. But somewhere inside I must have been nurturing a dream! However I don't think I am ambitious in the conventional sense, I try not to have expectations attached to what I do, I just always try to do my best work, whether that's writing, producing or performing.
11.) Any other new projects or appearance you want everyone to know about?
Some of my music was used in the British made movie "Venus" starring Peter O'Toole and I enjoyed that, writing new music for scenes in the film, and seeing where my songs would fit. I am always being asked to do more of that kind of thing, but don't have time! I'm taking part in the live earth concert at Wembley (London) on the 7 July and I am also concerned with the world water crisis in countries like Africa, and have an association with the charity 'Pumpaid' that I am happy to devote some energy to,
Every Interview Questions
These are three questions we ask at the conclusion of every interview, giving readers a different look at their favorite stars.
Now to some hard-hitting questions: My new favorite cereal is
Chocolate – which I never eat when I am working so it's even more of a luxury and comfort.
Let's say you are going to have lunch with any three people on earth, dead or alive. Who are they and why?
Marvin Gaye, he has been such an inspiration and I just want to know more about him: Oprah because I really enjoyed meeting her briefly on her show and I feel she is a fascinating iconic inspirational woman: John Newton, who was influential in the abolition of slavery 200 years ago – and he also wrote seminal hymns such as amazing grace. He was a fascinating character, an early life of debauchery turning into a life of good following a near death experience at sea. I would love to know what he feels about the world 200 years on, and especially the current situation with human traffic etc.
What is the hardest job you've ever had, the one that just really made you say to yourself, 'This is just not for me'?
The last job before I got my publishing deal I worked on the jewelry counter at a very posh department store in Leeds, my home town in
That's it and that's all for J:Q&A™ Corinne Bailey Rae, for more information on Corinne visit her website at
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