Interview with Marina and the Diamonds

69’s Marie Wood spoke to 2010’s hot act to watch Marina Diamandis aka Marina And The Diamonds about her debut album The Crown Jewels, following in Florence’s sparkly shoes, and being a pop perfectionist.

You released your new single Mowgli’s Road on 16 November. What was it like making the video?

It was really weird, actually! We did the choreography the week before and I was like, ‘this is fine, it’s going to be easy’, and then I didn’t realise on the day you had the legs strapped onto you with two puppeteers by your side, so while you walking and dancing they’re walking across with you. It was very strange, but I really enjoyed making it.

You’re releasing your debut album, The Family Jewels, next year. How would you describe the album?

An alternative or left-field pop album.

How do you think you’ve developed since The Crown Jewels EP?

The Family Jewels does stray quite a bit from that EP, but not in a bad way. I Am Not A Robot will be on the album, but there’s lot of new, inventive, and fresh stuff. I’m really excited about it!

You took quite a long time to record the album taking just over a year. Was it important for you to take your time?

I’m a nightmare in the studio -- I’ve driven half the people I work with crazy! There was one track that had 486 vocal takes just because it was never perfect! I had to get it to perfection -- I’m really happy with it now.

Liam Howe (ex Sneaker Pimps) produced the album, what was it like to work with him?

He’s incredible. Instead of putting his stamp on it and his own sound he works around you; he’s also very encouraging in getting your opinion and your input into it.

Did you want to make a mainstream pop record?

Definitely. In the early days before I was signed, I had songs like ‘Champagne’ and ‘Girls’ and they were really pop and the other songs were the other end of the spectrum. I’d say three quarters of the songs are my songs and a quarter are co-writes.

You’re lyrics are quite confessional, where do you get you get your inspiration from?

Me! It just depends on what’s happening in life; it’s like if I’m trying to work out how I feel about something or if I feel frustrated about something. It’s just about normal life.

You’ve been grouped in with the wave of other female artists this year, like Florence And The Machine, Little Boots, and La Roux. What do you think of them?

I’m a fan of all three of them. I don’t mind being grouped with them – I think you build your own path as you go along.

What artists do you admire?

I really like: No Doubt in the old days, Brody Dalle from the Distillers, Sia, Fiona Apple, Daniel Johnston, and Dolly Parton. Basically, anyone who’s a really good songwriter. I don’t really like functional lyrics; as long as the artist is saying something interesting, it doesn’t matter what the genre is.

Your MySpace says you’re from Wales and ancient Greece. Ancient Greece?

I just wish I was from ancient Greece; I feel like I wanna live in another time and I think if I had a chance to go back I would -- plus my Dad’s Greek.

What parts of Greek culture influence you?

I would definitely say the desire and goal to be a perfect artist. I think it’s very easy to get caught up in trends and I don’t think that I’ve ever done that. I just like perfect beauty, classic music, and style.

You’ve have a strong visual identity.  Is it important to you?

With the video for Mowgli’s Road it was such a wonderful opportunity to do something exciting. Why would you do one with you just walking around, if you could create something that’s going to provoke someone’s imagination? It’s definitely important to me.

If you could work with any designer who would it be?

I’d probably go with Vivienne Westwood, not just creatively but as a personality she’s a bigger person …I have a lot of respect for her.

Any plans to tour in 2010?

I expect so.

Do you enjoy performing live?

I really admire people who are all round artists. I really like to dabble in all areas of the profession and I’ve performed for a long time since I was 12. It’s probably second to song writing, I really enjoy it.

When you tour do you want to do a big pop show, like Lady Ga Ga and Kylie?

It is the dream! I think in the beginning, I was quite a fan but now I think I’d like to take an element of that and maybe not have it super pop -- I’ll be doing some kind of cross over affair.

How big do you want to be as an artist?

I want to be successful and relevant, so I guest I want to be a pop artist. I just wanna work as hard as I can and do what feels right.

What do you want for Christmas?

I’d like my single to go into the Top Ten.

Marina will be releasing ‘Family Jewels’ on 15th February and her next single is ‘Hollywood’ released on 1st February and you can have a sneak peak at the video just below.

Read our other wonderful interviews with music types by clicking here.