Imogen Heap Interview

Imogen Heap has been compared to Björk, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush and other eclectic female singers. But the British artist doesn't like those comparisons. She prefers that people listen to her music and decide for themselves. "We all like to think we're total individuals and unique," she tells Arjan Writes. "Don’t rely on comparisons."

Judging from her new album "Speak For Yourself," Heap's music is indeed hard to categorize. The record is a mesmerizing blend of multi-layered synth melodies with Heap's vivid storytelling that is enjoyed by dance lovers, pop aficionados and indie hipsters alike. Currently, Imogen Heap is touring the U.S. to promote her new record. She made some brief time available in her hectic schedule to speak with Arjan about her new album and more.

Did you have a big idea you wanted to convey on "Speak For Herself"?
No. There was no grand plan. I just wrote what came into my head at the time. It was all written, recorded and produced in one year. Apart from the old song "I'm In Love With You" that I wrote on tour with Rufus Wainwright when I was 20. The song is not about him I might add. Though he is very cute! [laughs].

During what moments are you most inspired to write and compose?
Inspiration hits me at the most annoying times. Like when I am on my bicycle going back home from the studio at 3 a.m.. I've many crackly recordings into my mobile phone practically inaudible from the wind rushing into the handset!

With all the technology available, you can tweak a song forever in the studio. When do you know when a track is done?
When there's no time left to work on it. Sometimes I really think I could go on forever. Somebody once said that "an artist's work is never finished, it's merely abandoned." And that is certainly true in the case of this album. I worked for the final two weeks on this album almost 24 hours a day. Sleeping on the couch in my studio when my eyelids became magnets to one another.

You have been compared to artists like Goldfrapp, Kate Bush, Sarah McLachlan and Björk. How do you feel about these comparisons?
None of them are anything like the other. I think us females get lumped together a lot of the times purely because we're female. Most of these characters are very strong and striking. So that's fine with me. Why do women always get compared to women? If it weren't for the range of our voices would we be compared in the same way? On a musical level? That would be nice.

What is your favorite and least favorite comparison?
I don't particularly like any. We all like to think we're total individuals and unique. Just listen to the album and just decide whether you like it for yourself. Don't rely on comparisons.

Your music is often inspired by nature. What inspired you to write "Can't Take It In," one of your most recent songs featured on the "Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" soundtrack?
Actually, I went to the Grand Canyon the other month a few days before I was to start work on writing an original song for [the movie]. The immensity of it took over my senses. Every hair on my body had a thing for that place.

Your songs appear very personal. Are your lyrics autobiographical?
Everything stems from real experiences but I do also have a very vivid imagination. A song lyric gets easily carried away with itself and can end up somewhere I'd never have predicted.