insideKENT Magazine Issue 68 - November 2017 | Page 32

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
an interview with
PALOMA FAITH
BECOMING A PARENT IS JUST ABOUT THE BIGGEST EVENT
IN ANYONE’S LIVES, BRINGING WITH IT A RAFT OF CHALLENGES
AND UNFORESEEN SCENARIOS THAT POTENTIALLY POSE THE
STERNEST OF TESTS. BY NEILL BARSTON
For Paloma Faith, the experience of being a
new mum may have left her wondering where
her next night’s sleep might ever be coming
from, yet it’s brought a renewed sense of
purpose and focus to her music.
“I’m trying to juggle being a mother and a
singer. I have no idea how I am managing,
but I am somehow,” she laughs, recountin g
her whirlwind existence recording her fourth
studio album.
It seems the singer is enjoying a comparatively
settled phase of her life living with French
boyfriend Leyman Lahcine, and it’s apparent
that starting a family has directly influenced
her music.
The 36-year old Londoner has already
amassed an enviable career over the past
decade that has seen her become the only
female artist beyond Adele to have three
double platinum recordings to her name. “I do feel my approach to music has changed
since I’ve become a parent – which does have
an impact. With difficult things that are
happening in the world, you feel protective
and want to make things comfortable for your
family.”
While it’s been a road requiring plenty of hard
graft, her artfully soulful sound and quirky
style have undoubtedly played their part in
propelling the Hackney-born star to success. Much like any other artist in the limelight, her
rise has come with the perhaps inevitable
burden of being followed around by the ever-
hungry paparazzi.
The singer’s latest offering, The Architect,
follows boldly in its predecessors’ footsteps,
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showcasing her distinctive powerful vocals
that have earned comparisons with everyone
from 60’s icons such as Etta James and Billie
Holiday, through to the late Amy Winehouse.