ALICE RUSSELL INTERVIEW
June 29th, 2005 by rui
Who are you, what do you do and who do you work for?
Ahhh my name tis Alice Emily Russell, i like to sing and i work for the Umpalumpas.
How did you get into the business?
I seemed to just arrive here not ever really planning where I may end up, meeting the right people along the way to sing, play and write songs for and to put my music out there, I’m a lucky pup!
[b/]What’s the best gig you’ve ever done?[/b]
That’s a toughy, if I say last year at the big chill under a full moon and crowd you may think I’m a lick lick but hey .. there are so many different gigs good for so many different reasons. Belgrade was amazing and the people so lovely too. Bristol’s a good’ un too there’s whole lotta love up there.
So, what and where would be your favourite night out?
Hmmm a warm eve, full moon, flip flops on ..some live musical minstrels playing out doors.. all my lovely friends and my special friend Nando (to be said with lisp) by my side dancing around, lovelyyyy. Aahh and a few glasses of havana 7 anos coke n lime deeelicious! i dont ask for much …oh and a dancing donkey ,umpaloompas on trampolines and a unicorn for moonlight rides for everyone..
What do you think of The Big Chill as an event?
I love it! It does to you what it says, chillo maxos biggos, the weather is always amazing ,do you guys have a pact with mumma nature?
What are your favourite sounds at the moment?
The sea lapping on Brighton’s fair shore (I’ve been away from home a lot )and sausages on the bbq! and a spot of Elmore Judd, Johnny Cash and a whole lot of Donny Hathaway ….
Who/what are your influences?
Ahhh so many; Prince, Stevie Wonder, Kate Bush, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gospel music, Bugz and the broken boys n gals, Isley Brothers, Tom Waits, Chaka Khan ….so many more delights.
Any good work anecdotes to relate?
Hmmmm I ain’t no good at calling them up ,ask me when i see you and I’ll work on the spot dotes.
And now the chillers would like to ask you a few questions, is that ok?
no wayyyyyyyyy
Do you smoke to get your voice like that or were you born with it that way? (Soyo!)
Well i used to enjoy the pleasures that smoke can give but i gave up many moons ago so it just gets itself in to the smoky husky ways
Is It right that you’re going to be working on the new Massive Attack Album? and if so, have you started work on that yet and how’s it going (duck et al)
Ahhh not yet mr duck et al. Well Daddy G has expressed an interest in us doing a song together but I don’t know when ,and whether if its for a side project ‘n ting. we’ll see, i recently met him at Glasgow airport after my flight was delayed which was kinda funny as we’d only spoken on the phone before, always good to put a face and hand shake together.
How did you get to know Dave Natureboy? (Michael the Random)
We met 10 years ago at Brighton Collage, we where in the same year doing visual and performing arts ,arf arf. He is a dear friend and we used to do jazz duo gigs together for £15 a drink and a sandwich …ah them where the days.
How come Tru Thoughts manage to make so many great records? (Mixmaster Morris)
Well lets just say they have great taste!
Can we make beautiful Funk together and what’s it like working with Will Quantic ? (For Funks Sake)
For funks sake indeed! He’s a good’ un he gets stuff done whereas I faff about a lot. That pup pops out music like, like well like there’s no tommorow! We have a brother/sister friendship. I think he’ll agree, again another great friend to make music with, and if you want to make beautiful funk you will have to ask my brother Will!
Will you marry me (Maq)
You’ll have to pay like everyone else.. Cheques payable to umpaloompas are us.
Whats a munka moon? is it like a cherry one?(guest)
Ahhh it is a moon under which fair Munka sits
What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you? (KC)
I met my rum tum friend and fell in love……. ahhhh hope that doesn’t make you feel nauseous!
Of all the musicians you’ve worked with, which one was the most anal (but in a good way)? (Orb)
Hey some people like it that way, they turn around and like to play….
What’s the meaning of life? (Mono)
There is none?, we have our time to try and find rhyme or reason ,we muck about, sing a few songs, cry a bit, do some silly things, giggle, eat a few cakes mmmmm and maybe then we learn a little meaning all of our own.
Thank you very much Alice
Nooo thank you xxxxxxx
