Kate Nash is back touring with her self-released third album ÔÇÿGirl TalkÔÇÖ. With a punk vibe not far off the girl power scene of the 80ÔÇÖs, itÔÇÖs a far cry from ÔÇÿFoundationsÔÇÖ but set to inspire teenage girls across the country just the same. Charlie Mock and Jess Rodgerson caught up with Kate ahead of her show at The Globe.
First of all, welcome to Cardiff! How are you finding the tour so far?
Thanks! Yeah, really good! WeÔÇÖve had some crazy shows in Norwich and Birmingham and London. ItÔÇÖs been so so cool! The crowds have been amazing, just really going for it. ItÔÇÖs just been really fun.
YouÔÇÖve said before that this is your best album so far; what can we expect from this tour thatÔÇÖs going to be new?
Well weÔÇÖre playing a mixture of the old records and the new but I just think that weÔÇÖve been on tour for the past two years with this band now, weÔÇÖve got an all girl band, and weÔÇÖre really tight. IÔÇÖm older, IÔÇÖm 26 and I feel like IÔÇÖm a better performer.
WeÔÇÖve heard a lot about stage invasions?
Yeah! WeÔÇÖve had loads of girls invade the stage and just go crazy – itÔÇÖs so fun! ThereÔÇÖs been a lot of crowd surfing. My main goal is for everyone to have the most fun possible at the show and I think IÔÇÖve honed my skills as a performer and unleashed something in a lot of young people to not have any inhibitions and just enjoy themselves. IÔÇÖve always had crowds that are really receptive – it feels like weÔÇÖve started a movement or something! That sounds a bit cheesy but I havenÔÇÖt had support from the industry. I had someone who works with me tell me to cancel this tour and quit two days before it started so I was really nervous about it, but then my fans are just so driven – theyÔÇÖve believed in me and the record. WeÔÇÖve got this gang of people across the country and theyÔÇÖre so supportive.
So, talking about some of the songs on the album. Would you say thereÔÇÖs any irony in the title ÔÇÿConventional GirlÔÇÖ?
I had someone in my life that just kept telling me that I was really conventional and that I didnÔÇÖt understand them because I was really conventional, and I sort of believed it for a while. I had quite low self-esteem but then I was like, ÔÇ£Fuck it, fine, IÔÇÖm so conventionalÔÇØ. It was sort of like saying that thatÔÇÖs okay, not caring about trying to be weird or cool – I can just be myself and IÔÇÖm happy to be that person.
And ÔÇÿRap for RejectionÔÇÖ- probably one of the most serious songs on the album but done in a really light-hearted manner.
Yeah, I just thought it would be funny! I didnÔÇÖt want to do a serious ÔÇ£this is a song about sexismÔÇØ – I just thought it would be really funny if I rapped it. I think itÔÇÖs easier to approach subjects that are serious in a light-hearted manner. ItÔÇÖs more empowering that way as well and it just makes people want to get up, dance to it and have it as a cool anthem instead of being some sad, moany song.
YouÔÇÖve also had quite a lot of side projects, including producing albums for Supercute! and writing for Willow Smith. Would you say these have influenced your own music in any way?
Definitely. I think that working in the studio with Supercute! and producing their record was a time of growth for me as a musician and studio head because IÔÇÖd never had that responsibility before. When IÔÇÖm in the studio itÔÇÖs all about me and my music, so thereÔÇÖs not too much pressure. Then suddenly, when itÔÇÖs someone elseÔÇÖs work you really want the best for it and you just learn so much – it makes you think of every sound so differently. I learnt a bit more about gear, which was really good for me. And also the songwriting. I did an after school club for girls, which was really inspiring – that gave me more of an initiative in a way. I wanted to stand up for this generation of girls who feel really badly about themselves!
On the subject of side projects, you put on a stage performance of the musical episode from Buffy the Vampire Slayer for Halloween last year and your songs are being used in the new musical ÔÇÿOnly GoldÔÇÖ ÔÇô is stage an avenue that youÔÇÖd like to explore further?
Yeah! I studied theatre at college and I loved it. IÔÇÖve done a few films now. I think thereÔÇÖs just something really special about live performance. ThatÔÇÖs why I love playing shows: itÔÇÖs raw and anything can happen. That moment will never be recreated again. I especially love musical theatre because it tells a story really well emotionally; it lays everything out on a plate. As a songwriter itÔÇÖs really fun to be able to play with certain things in music that you might not get to do with your own music.
Finally, whatÔÇÖs next? More side projects or are you concentrating on your own thing?
A bit of both. IÔÇÖm going to finish this tour and then IÔÇÖm going to America. Then IÔÇÖve got Christmas off – IÔÇÖm doing a Christmas EP. IÔÇÖve written a song called Faith thatÔÇÖs really heart-warming and really Christmassy and another called I Hate You Mr. Christmas. ThatÔÇÖs about getting cheated on at Christmas, itÔÇÖs sort of like a Blink-182 punk pop song. Next year, IÔÇÖm hoping to get to Australia and working on a musical as well. Just taking things as they come really!
Words: Charlie Mock