So then Liana, what is it like being recognised in the street?
Liana: Honestly? It is absolute madness. It's crazy when you hear people shouting your name or asking for a photograph. One time, I was just walking down the street with a few friends and the next thing you know people are everywhere screaming at me. I love stopping for them and being able to have a chat and having my photo taken with them and signing autographs. It's strange to think people want my name either on them or written down. I think it's crazy, but I love it!
Your debut album has just recently hit the charts, what was your first reaction to this?
Liana: Well, at first I was really shocked at hearing my voice on the TV and radio stations. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and say "Is this really me?" I still can't believe it has happened, a year and a half ago I was sitting in my room writing songs, and now I've got my very first album out. It's brilliant. I love going to the stores and being able to see my album on the shelves, or seeing that my songs are being purchased on iTunes. I wonderful knowing I have people out there who support me.
How did you feel when you got signed?
Liana: I didn't really know what to do with myself! I wanted to ring everyone up and scream "I just got signed!" and jump around all over the place. I thought to myself that this was my time to shine, and I was really pleased at getting signed. When I rang my family they were speechless, they didn't know whether to laugh or cry, they did both! [laughs] They have known how much I have wanted this, and they are pleased I got it. They have supported me all the way to being signed and I'm thankful for that.
I hear you have a tour on calendar towards the end of 2011. Is this true?
Liana: Yes! I do! I've had dates thrown around left, right and centre, but I can now confirm that I do have my tour coming up, however, I'm not quite sure who I am touring with at the moment, I'm planning on keeping it a surprise. The dates are across September to November, playing in 15 different cities- which I am really looking forward too. I'm looking forward to seeing all my fans there. It's a brilliant way to thank my fans for supporting me throughout this year, I wouldn't be anywhere without them.
How do you manage to handle your fans and your personal life?
Liana: It's more of a compromise. Celebrities always say they try and keep their singing and their personal life separate, however, I find it hard. [sighs]. I enjoy my fans being here but sometimes I do wish I could walk do the street without being stopped every two minutes. It takes forever to get to places and I never seem to have the time to do 'normal' stuff anymore like see my friends or go out shopping without having people following me
Speaking of celebrities, do you have any musical inspirations?
Liana: I really love the music of Paloma Faith- it's a little wacky, but I love it. It's different to any music that is out there! Lyrically I love Ellie Goulding, she has a beautiful voice. Other than that, I feel that others in my life inspire me lyrically as past experiences have been a great help when writing my album.
Are you covering any of the big festivals for this year?
Liana: I did get asked to do the acoustic festival of Britain of 2011, which I did accept, so I’ll be doing this between the 20th May 2011 and 22nd May 2011 which should be a good experience for me as it’ll be my first really big gig as a solo artist and I’m also doing Glastonbury between 24th June 2011 to 26th June 2011. I’m really excited about doing both [smiles and claps her hands] I’ve always wanted to experience these kind of things. I want to see people’s reactions. I want to be able to entertain them.
I heard you're going to be doing a duet with Snow Patrol. Is this true?
Liana: I am indeed. It has taken us a long time to work out, but we have got to know each other and it's been a really honour working with the guys. I use to listen to their music and think "One day, this could be me" and now it is me working with the best in the business. It's a great feeling knowing that our new single 'Love never Lasts' will be released in March. We had so much fun working on this, and hopefully this comes across in the song- even if the lyrics are deep and meaningful. We want the song to mean something to our fans out there and hopefully they are excited that we are working together [smiles]
Have you got any plans for a 2nd album?
Liana: I have. After finishing this album and it being well received so far, I've started new material for my 2nd album. Hopefully, people will love that one just as much as my first one. It'll be a lot of hard work to do my tour along side a new album, but I don't mind really. I love my music and I love working with so many fantastic people.
It was great chatting to Liana about her upcoming tour and festivals, and now you can buy her album "Their passions were stronger" in all music stores, and it's also available to download on iTunes.
Jemma
ReplyDeleteThis is very well written and convincing, try and ask a few more tasking questions, at the minute its a bit too softball. Q do a feature where readers send in questions, perhaps you could imitate that? Or you can pad it out with a longer intro, a bit of puff where you describe where the interview is taking place.