Lily Allen Interview (from Slam X Hype)
jamie on April 24th, 2000
SquirrelFood NOTE: This is an archive of an interview published on http://www.slamxhype.com/- SquirrelFood did its own interview with the amazing Lily Allen, which can be read HERE.
Lily Allen was first brought to my attention a month or so back. I listened to the mix tape, and pretty much fell in love! So whats the next thing we do here at Slam? We spoke to her..
Lily..Give me the stats to start things off..??
Age 20?
Living in My mums house in Angel , Islington
Growing up in London what got you into music?
Mostly my older sister and her jungle music raverness , but I suppose , sounds I recognise from my mums music collection and my childhood, ie Squeeze , The Stranglers etc ??
What would you classify your genre of music?
I can’t do that, as much as it would make my life a hell of alot easier ??
How’d you end up in this type of music?
…….. Process of elimination really, can I wear Skinny jeans? No, can’t do indie music then . Did I grow up on a council estate in Streatham? No, cant do Grime then. Are you a concert pianist? No, can’t do classical then. HERE I AM!??
We always hear stories of singer/songwriters and the music they grew up to what was played in your household as a child?
The clash , The kinks , the specials , The Stylistics , Marvin Gaye , Janet Kay , The Slits , Nenneh Cherry , Althea and Donna , The Stranglers , Van Morrison , Otis Redding . ?
?Who do you dream of one day sharing a studio with?
Timberland ??
Where do you see the future? Recording artist at 50? Producing? ?
No No no. I’d like to do 3 albums, get married and fuck off to the countryside that probably won’t happen though. ??
What’s so cool about London.. ?
Nothing in particular, London as a whole is what makes it cool.??
Favourite place to eat?
This little Vietnamese on Kingsland road , they do this char grilled lamb and noodles thingy , for about a fiver , I can’t remember the name , but its got a yellow and red outside
?
?Favourite area of London?
Islington??
Favourite shop?
Selfridges ??
If you’ve read slam x hype you’ll see its all about streetwear, art and sneakers.. Do you have any interest in any of this?
I collect Air max 90’s and Air max 1’s , I also have a print by Kaws , called ” warm regards ” it is of a poo in the style of mickey mouse , so yes I am interested in these things , very much so . ??
What do you wear? Whats your style? Whats cool in Lily’s wardrobe right now?
I don’t wear skinny jeans, as I have chunky legs , I mostly wear dresses and trainers and fuck off big gold earrings , not much makeup. ?
?If I was to tell you, that people are willing to queue for days in the wet and cold for the chance to buy a pair of shoes, what would you say?
I’d say they are silly as the only shoes to wear are Air max and you can design your own on the Nike Id website now. ??
I’ve read your MySpace, which is great.. what sites on the net do you check regularly?
Slam x Hype (obv) , ebay , allhiphop.com , last fm , raido 1.
What magazines do you read?
I don’t, they depress me immensely
??TV programmes do you love?
Anything Crime drama , Spooks , Silent Witness , 24 , Dalziel and Pascoe , CSI you get the jist . ??
Whats next for you.. what are you spending your days doing right now?
Finishing off my album and doing various interviews. ??
You’ve recently been to NYC… What did you think? Personally I love it…
I love it too; I want to move there one day for a year or something. Great shops and food and interesting people, rubbish that you can’t smoke anywhere though. ??
Where next?
I’m fine here for the minute ??
Anything you’d like to get off your chest?
I was in the news agent yesterday and , I think the medias obsession with weight has become so irresponsible and outrageous , if there are any young ladies reading this , I urge you to be happy in your own skin and ignore the fascist bastards that make you feel shit so they can extort more money out of you .
Lily xxxxx
