1. Greetings from Kuwait! Loft965.com picked your song “Put Your Hands Up” as a “Sexy Track” of 2011. How do you feel about that and what will be the next single?
I do believe this is the first time any track of mine has been described as ‘Sexy’. That alone has made my day, so thank you! I think the next single will either be ‘Turn Me On Again’ or ‘All Bets Are Off’. Not sure which order.
2. Your new album is titled Year Of The Wolf. That’s not one of the animals that is included in the Chinese zodiac calendar. How did that name come about?
It’s slightly sentimental – my baby son is called Wolfie, and as much of the album was written and recorded while I was pregnant with him, it seemed a fitting title. I did consider calling it ‘Year of the Carrot’ just coz, you know, it seemed like fun.
3. We love “Damascus” so much. What was the inspiration behind the song and have you been there?
Thank you, glad you like the song. I have been to Damascus, a few times, as a child on my way to India with my mother to see my family there. We used to fly some complicated routes, so I’ve stopped off in loads of Middle Eastern cities over the years on my way to India. I guess as a kid, I was really into Bible stories, and I loved the one about St Paul having his epiphany on the road to Damascus. I used that metaphor to describe a relationship that has ended after years of waiting for a Damascus moment that never came.
4. We know you have worked with Kylie Minogue. How is she to deal with and what was your inspiration behind writing “Aphrodite” the title track, which became the ongoing theme that seemed to have carried through the whole album and its tour?
Kylie is everything an icon should be. They say that you shouldn’t meet your idols but in her case she is just fantastic. I wrote “Aphrodite” with my husband shortly after we started working with her. I wanted to craft her a song that was as a celebration of her as an icon and the power of women in general. But not in a ball-breaking, women are better than men way – more a celebration of femininity, love and playful sexuality – all the things I feel Kylie radiates. I was so proud that she chose to name the album and tour after that track – and going to see her open the show with it is definitely one the highlights of my life.
5. We love quotes, what is your favorite quote or motto?
It’s by my bedside and it’s one from Winston Churchill : ‘Never, ever, ever, ever give up.’
And I like that one that goes ‘Shit happens.’ I reckon that’s a Zen master one. It’s certainly true.
Nerina Pallot’s single “Put Your Hands Up” is out now. The album Year Of The Wolf will be out on June 13th, 2011.
