Paloma Faith is in transition. While the curtain is being drawn on her platinum selling debut album, we're left to wonder what will reveal itself on the stage when the lights go up on her next one. Judging by her success and flamboyant nature, it will be worth the wait.
Smoke and Mirrors, the final single from Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? came out this week. After the success of her debut album, Paloma is calm about the new single. "By the time you get to single five you're just like whatever. It's my last little push before I go away and do the next one. I don't feel a huge amount of pressure because I've already gone platinum and I'm really pleased. This year has been beyond all my expectations. I never really thought that I would have become so well known."
With such accolades already under her belt, 25-year-old Paloma is back at the drawing board writing her second album. "The new album is going alright, but it's really hard to tell. I am ploughing through. You keep writing and then you have a look at it and go back to it."
Like any good performer, Paloma guards the secrets to her show, cautious to reveal too much about her next album, "I'm trying to make something a bit more fun to play at festivals. I'm trying to write things that make people dance."
For the next few weeks, Paloma will be on tour. It's a last chance to see her for those who haven't yet, but with the promise of a few surprises for loyal fans. "I'm looking forward to this last tour because we've got this new set I'm reworking the whole album. I just said right, I'm bored of doing this album now so let's re-jig it. So we're basically doing new versions of a lot of the songs."
Upcoming shows include the Russian Standard Vodka showcase at the Forum, an orchestra-accompanied performance at the Barbican and a tour of several major UK cities.
In the current era of female singer / style-icons, Paloma has carved her own niche. She's been a burlesque dancer, assisted a magician and sold fancy knickers at Agent Provocateur. Paloma is the perfect lady to bring something new to the stage. This all feeds into her theatrical stage performances and videos. She's even an actress! She's performed in St Trinian's and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
"I'd like to do my own clothing line as well, but no one's offered. I just think they're all bloody mad." Will she follow in the footsteps of Amy's recent collection for Fred Perry or Lily Allen's new store?
"I think I'd like to do it for someone high street because I'd like people to be able to afford it. I always shop at the high street when I'm spending money on clothes I went to H&M yesterday. "It's hard to say how Paloma's 'comfort is for twats' style would translate to the high street. But needless to say her flair for drama and extravagant hats would make it a best seller, much like her first album.
Paloma Faith will be headlining the Russian Standard Vodka Originals winter festival on 1st December at the HMV Forum London. To find out how to get free tickets to the show visit www.rsvoriginals.co.uk.
