Nerina Pallot

Don’t get Nerina Pallot started. The self-confessed “grumpy bugger”, voracious reader and voracious writer – and very occasionally voracious drinker – will tell you like it is. Albeit with some wit, a readysmile and not a little panache. Nerina Pallot is a smart artist who talks straight and writes beautifully. Her new album is ‘Stay Lucky’. It’s her sixth, and she’s releasing it at the age of 43. The Jersey-born, London-based musician played her first gig in 1995, which means she’s been doing this for 22 years. Is she bothered about any of those numbers? What do you think? “I feel like I’ve got the best career ’cause I’ve never had enough success for it to be demanded that I do the same thing over and over again. I would go completely mental having to do the same successful record again! I’d never be able to move on. I like so much music, and I love new music. Last year it was the BadBadNotGood record – I was just relieved that fusion is allowed now – I was a massive fusion fan as a teenager. And also Thundercat – I’m like, great, we can have sax solos again! Which is why a sax solo is the last thing I have to add to Stay Lucky before it’s totally done…" No, do get Nerina Pallot started. If you do, you’re in for something wonderful.