21st
August

Chart-topper Pixie Lott juggles multiple careers and new love ahead of album release

Posted by prézli under Articles

Pixie Lott says there is no chance of her making sweet music with her model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire – because he can’t sing.

The chart-topping ­Essex-born singer and her man are both signed to the prestigious Select ­modelling agency.

But, while Pixie has been introduced to the fashion world by the new man in her life, she says there is no chance of a record deal for Oliver until he learns how to hold a tune.

She insisted: “Oliver introduced me to Select. I had meetings with a couple of other agencies, but I had met Select a couple of times with Ollie and that is how I came to be with them. Ollie loves music. We listen to the radio all the time but he can’t sing at all. I’ve told him that. So he wants to do acting and he is looking into that.”

Pixie, 20, and Oliver, 22, met at a party during London Fashion Week and have been going strong ever since. And the singer, who shot straight to No.1 with her debut single Mama Do two years ago, admits their schedules mean they are often kept apart.

“I was at an after event party at Bungalow 8 and he was there,” Pixie recalled. “I was out with friends having fun and wasn’t looking for a boyfriend at all. We had a mutual friend and got talking.

“I didn’t think anything of it then he sent me a text later asking me out. We’re both happy and lively and laugh at the same things.

“The only tough thing is being away from him, but that would be the same with anyone. I don’t know if being kept apart keeps the relationship fresh. When we are in London we see each other all the time, but sometimes it is hard if I am away for months.

“Before, if you’d spoken to me about my love life I would have told you I had no time and would be a rubbish girlfriend. But when you meet someone you like, you do make time for them.”

Pixie released her debut album Turn It Up in September 2009 and it has been flying high since with over a million copies sold. She received three Brit nominations in 2010, has broken records, won an MTV Award and sold more than two million singles.

Now she is back with a new song All About Tonight, out next month, and a second album due in November.

Though some in the music industry are finding it difficult to come to terms with the changes the internet has imposed upon them, Pixie is one of those who have benefitted from the digital world.

Originally discovered after posting videos on MySpace, she has enjoyed two million YouTube views of the new single ahead of release.

“More people have watched that video than the other videos of mine when they were first released,” she said. “I don’t know why that is. I have over half-a-million Twitter followers now. At first, my music got spread around on MySpace and that’s how labels and people in different countries heard me. It was the power of the internet. It is a great tool for talking to your fans and letting them know what you are up to.

“That’s the plus side. The downside is the paparazzi. In the old days you wouldn’t know that Elizabeth Taylor popped to the shops to buy milk or what she got up to. You saw old screen stars as untouchable people.

“Now everyone knows what you are up to with Twitter updates and being photographed everywhere. I have been papped leaving the house in the morning or leaving Nandos.

“It is always when you least expect it. If you are going to a big event like The Brits you are all glammed up and prepared for it, but if you haven’t bothered and have popped to the shops, it’s like, oh no.

“I love having a lazy day and being in my comfy clothes. It is nice to feel at home sometimes but if they catch you offguard it can be bad. Everyone critiques every picture, which is annoying.”

She added: “This album is really important.

“I hope it does well and connects. People say with a second album you never know what happens. Because I am so used to being in the studio, all I can do is give it my best shot.”

I’ve been given a sneak preview of seven songs from the as-yet-unfinished album and from the sound of it, Pixie has little to worry about.

Songs include Nobody Does It Better, What Do You Take Me For, Everybody Hurts Sometimes and You Win, though Pixie is leading her second assault on the charts with a party anthem.

“All About Tonight is a song I recorded in LA. I always think it is good to introduce the album with a high energy track that’s fun and exciting,” she said.

“It is a party track about going out with the girls and forgetting about past dramas and relationships so that you can have fun and let your hair down.

“It’s a good introduction to the album. But on the album there are a few more soulful songs and a few more ballads than the last one. There is a good mixture of songs on there.

“My favourite part, though I like touring and dancing, is just singing a ballad stripped down to piano or guitar. It’s the music that touched me. I grew up listening to that sort of music and it’s the music I still listen to now.”

Also among the stand-out tracks is the massive soul song Til The Wheels Fall Off, featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica.

Pixie got to meet the Tamla Motown legend while dining with Scots singer Alex Gardner in Los Angeles through mutual friend, 70s rocker Adrian Gurvitz.

She admitted: “Working with Stevie Wonder was amazing. He is one of my favourites and I have grown up with his music.

“I could feel my eyes tearing up when we met him. He was such a gentleman, so warm and friendly. Soon after, Adrian and I then wrote a song together and Stevie heard it and loved it. He recorded the harmonica part you’ve heard, which is on the song’s middle eight.

“Everyone says you shouldn’t meet your idols because you’ll be disappointed but I wasn’t.”

As well as the single and the collaboration with Stevie Wonder, Pixie has a second single planned, called Kiss The Stars. She also teamed up with John Legend on one of several ballads.

With her own fashion line, courtesy of Lipsy, as well as her modelling career, Pixie has promised fans that her love for the glamour of the catwalk won’t lead to her giving up music.

“I have done three fashion ranges for Lipsy, and the latest is for Autumn/Winter.

“It’s for the Christmas party season and casual clothing as well. I love designer clothes and vintage stores and I still love High Street stores such as Top Shop and Urban Outfitters.

“I like to mix it up. I still go to Top Shop.

“I went into the big London store in Oxford Street on Saturday.

“I signed with Select a few weeks ago and did a shoot with them, which was really exciting. Obviously, music is my passion but I want to get more involved in fashion. When the right things come up, I’m going to go for it.”

The Daily Record