Katie Melua

Since the release of her debut album in 2003, it's been a steady rise to the top for this Georgian-born 24-year-old. Recently voted Europe's best-selling female artist, her future looks even brighter

Featured June 08

Since the release of her debut album in 2003, it's been a steady rise to the top for this Georgian-born 24-year-old. Recently voted Europe's best-selling female artist, her future looks even brighter

INTERVIEW BY GRAHAME ANDERSON

How did you put your roots down in England?
I lived in Georgia until I was eight, and I moved over to Belfast because my dad got a job there as a doctor and I lived there for five years. Then about five years ago we came over to England, again because of my Dad's job, and I've lived here ever since.

How do you handle being famous?
You don't, that's what you have a manager for! I know that sounds funny but you don't realise that you are in demand. The guys in the office filter all the requests and I don't really read articles about myself or believe all the hype.

What sort of music do you listen to personally?
All the old stuff... Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen but I also like Bj�rk and Portishead.

Who is the most interesting person you've ever met?
Meeting Paul Simon was up there among the best moments. I was playing at the Montreal Jazz Festival and so was he. I've been a fan for so many years and think he's probably one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

What's your biggest ambition?
I'd love to go into producing or writing for other artists one day. I like music because it transcends language barriers and cultural barriers. Everyone can understand it and everyone can experience it. Dueting with the late and great Eva Cassidy last year was also one of my life's great highlights.

How do you go about song writing?
I start with an idea, usually born through an emotion and I go to the guitar or piano and it kind of comes out. Normally you need to be excited by something, an emotion has to inspire you to write and once that happens you usually start with the melody and some words and then I get the chord progression and then everything comes together. Sometimes it can be easy and other times it can take a while. But once the thought, inspiration and style is there it's worth going with it.

When did you realise you had a gift?
I don't think you ever realise you have a 'gift'; what you realise it that you love it so much you can't live without it and need to fill your life with it. That was about the age of 15 for me. I feel so lucky I am able to do something I love.

How did you get involved with Save The Children?
I knew someone who worked there and I loved what they did. When my first album took off I wanted to know how I could get involved and help more and use my profile for a good cause. The project I'm most involved in is the education of children in problem areas of the world. I feel strongly that every child should have the best chance and that's why I work with STC.

What was it like to be part of 21 -century Band Aid?
It was an amazing thing to be a part of. Politicians can ignore marches; millions of people came out to demonstrate before the Iraq war and they ignored them. But they can't ignore a million-selling record. Last time, Band Aid raised �144 million, but Africa pays that amount back every week to the World Bank. That's ridiculous.

Katie is currently on her European tour www.katiemelua.com