Florence and the Machine

Thu 1st Jul, 2010 in Features

Florence Welch is a woman of delight and mystery, a songstress whose presence is strong and whose charm is delicate. Her debut album Lungs received high praise and glorification for its luscious chords and tender vocals, with songs such as Dog Days Are Over and Rabbit Heart earning high rotation spots on airwaves all over the globe.

Florence and the Machine will be returning to Australia for Splendour in the Grass Festival, as well as the sideshows that follow, and Welch is eager to test out some new material.

She has already began writing and recording parts of her second album, working with producer Paul Epworth, although she is remaining tight lipped about its content. “I can’t say for sure when it will be out because I am enjoying taking my time with it. It feels like a real release creating this second album. It’s like moving onto the next phase and it can be whatever you want it to be. I can choose the destination, and it may be different to Lungs, but in many ways it may be similar, I haven’t really decided yet.”

One thing she has almost decided is that one of the tracks on the new album will be Spectrum, “I am fairly certain it will be included in the album, but in this phase I am in now, ideas are just circulating they always evolve and change. When I was writing that song I had visuals of rainbows in mind. It’s got a real crystallised theme I think, about light hitting shapes and objects.”

She hopes to have a few new songs under her belt to showcase to audiences in Australia, “I hopefully will have a few thoughts cemented by then, so hopefully they turn into fantastic songs that are near completion, so we can test the water and see how things are feeling. I really hope the next album is received well and mostly that people love it, so I’m going to work really hard.”

Though work on the new album is underway, Welch is about to release Cosmic Love, the sixth single taken from her stellar debut record. Welch says she was determined to let that song have the glory it deserved, “It is magic! Pure magic in a song… It is a little bundle of happiness. I have always felt that song in particular was special. It was just one of those that appeared. I didn’t write anything down, I had the words in my head and they just started pouring out of my mouth and it turned into music during recording some demos. It was incredible.”

Written alongside Isabella Summers (keyboardist of ‘the Machine’) in a little studio, Welch describes it as magical, “It isn’t something that happens often, so it felt right to release it as a single, and have a tour named in its honour.” Welch says the video clip which accompanies this track is somewhat dazzling, “Lots of sparkles and flowers, which is just what I like.”

Inspired by the likes of PJ Harvey, animal documentaries and poetry, Welch is a woman of many dimensions, “I find inspiration everywhere, and sometimes I don’t even know it is happening. I find that is the best kind, being able to look back at something and realising how someone or something affected me more than I noticed at the time.”

After her mash up of You’ve Got the Love with Dizzee Rascal’s Dirtee Cash at the 2010 Brit Awards, Welch admits to finding an unlikely muse in the realm of hip hop music, “After being in America I have found I am into hip hop and the blues more than I thought. I am really digging the Rhianna and Alicia Keys albums at the moment. I found myself making numerous trips to inane Hip Hop stores around the US. I think I have become quite obsessed with it, but not to the point of blurting out rap tunes of my own, but I am all for surprises.”

When asked if she would consider collaborating with artists in the future, Welch responded, “These things just come about, and it’s nice when they do. The most recent surprise was having Nathan Clark from Cold War Kids join me onstage at Coachella. I was astounded and so honoured.”

Florence and the Machine were in Australia earlier this year as part of the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Performing with acts such as The XX, Welch describes the trip as memorable, “Last time I was in Australia the tour was unreal. It’s not often you get presented with such a unique festival opportunity and I just loved travelling with other artists and seeing all the beautiful places.”

“I particularly loved Newtown and Melbourne, so looking forward to exploring those places a little more. I didn’t get enough time to shop around last visit. A lot of people mentioned that Australia has little nooks of vintage and antique type stores, so hopefully there is time for me to explore a little, a bit like an animal.”

Welch is excited about returning to Australia, especially about being part of such a tremendous line up for Splendour in the Grass, “Its crazy isn’t it! It will be great to be a part of. I feel very lucky to have been asked back. A lot of other artists in the UK are particularly jealous because we all enjoy coming to Australia.”

When asked who she is looking forward to checking out at the festival, Welch makes it obvious she has a penchant for dance music, “I love a bit of a dance; I think I show that in my own shows with my movements. I am really looking forward to seeing Foals and Yeasayer.”

FasterLouder presents Florence and The Machine Splendour sideshows:
Monday 2 August – Festival Hall, Melbourne
Tuesday 3 August – Festival Hall, Melbourne
Thursday 5 August – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Friday 6 August – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 7 August – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Sunday 8 August – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Tuesday 10 August – Challenge Stadium, Perth