Joss Stone

Here is an interview Joss did via AIM with an AOL music corespondent.

JossStone2007: Hi
NadineinMusic: hi Joss! how’s it going?
JossStone2007: Fine thanks u?
NadineinMusic: i’m good, i was panicking a bit because my IM decided not to work RIGHT when we were supposed to do our interview, but it’s all good now!
JossStone2007: No problem luv
NadineinMusic: so where are you right now?
JossStone2007: On the bus in DC
NadineinMusic: nice…so i’m really digging Introducing Joss Stone
NadineinMusic: i feel like it’s really breezy, tropical and romantic
JossStone2007: Oh thank u so much
JossStone2007: Glad u like it
NadineinMusic: what was the main influence on the sound?
JossStone2007: I was just trying to mix up everything I liked and then add me
JossStone2007: There was not one thing inparticular
NadineinMusic: and did Raphael Saadiq really help you carve out that sound?
JossStone2007: Yes he definitely heard me which I have found to be quite a rare thing. We have very similar minds musically.
NadineinMusic: that’s awesome. how autobigraphical are the songs on this album?
JossStone2007: Very much so
JossStone2007: Every one has a story behind it
NadineinMusic: do you find songwriting like a form of therapy?
JossStone2007: I do enjoy it. Its nice to put ur thoughts down in that way. I think therapy is supposed to help fix something though. And song writting is just an expression of what ur feeling at that minute, but it does fix things for u. People will say hey stop moaning and go write a song about it. All well and good, but it will just highten the feeling rather than calm u down.
NadineinMusic: and you’re probably reliving that feeling every time you sing the song
JossStone2007: Yep
JossStone2007: Or making it worse
NadineinMusic: hahah uh oh
NadineinMusic: so how have you changed personally since the last album?
JossStone2007: Well I’ve just lived a little longer
JossStone2007: Gained a little more knowledge as a person
NadineinMusic: it’s definitely reflective in your music
NadineinMusic: what about the art on the album? it’s so distinctive…did you come up with the concept?
JossStone2007: Yes. It was a last minute thought just before Christmas at the end of the mixing period
JossStone2007: I was trying to think of a way for the artwork to speak to u just as the music does
NadineinMusic: oh wow
JossStone2007: I think every image says something and that’s what’s most important when it comes to art
NadineinMusic: yeah it’s really striking
JossStone2007: It has to mean something
NadineinMusic: did it take forever to get painted?
JossStone2007: Yep a long time
NadineinMusic: How was it working with Lauryn Hill and Common?
JossStone2007: Amazing. They are both great people and clearly inspired to do what they do, and while doing it they inspire others including myself
NadineinMusic: that’s awesome
NadineinMusic: so you are really involved with Peta and animal rights causes. are you working on any projects related to that?
JossStone2007: Not right now, but when ever they need me to do something I’m there
NadineinMusic: what have you done with them in the past?
JossStone2007: We did a vegetarian photo shoot. With chickens it was fun.
NadineinMusic: were you freaked out by the chickens?
JossStone2007: No I used to have chickens. I love all animals
NadineinMusic: do you have any pets now?
JossStone2007: 2 dogs
JossStone2007: Rottweiler and teacup poodle
NadineinMusic: awww
NadineinMusic: so we just did this Music’s Sexiest Single Men feature where we chose a few ideal mates for our bachelors…
NadineinMusic: we paired you with Ryan Adams because of your talent and free spirit. what do you think? are we way off?
JossStone2007: I don’t know who Ryan Adams is
JossStone2007: I know Brian Adams
NadineinMusic: really?? he’s an amazing alt country singer songwriter on Lost Highway
JossStone2007: Oh that would be why
JossStone2007: I don’t often listen to country music
NadineinMusic: ahhh i see
NadineinMusic: ok one last question and i’ll let you go…
NadineinMusic: because of your success, you have been elevated to a certain music celebrity status. how do you deal with bad media attention, and do you have advice for up and coming musicians on how to handle it?
JossStone2007: Ignore it. They’re silly wankers with nothing better to do so they talk about others lives, because apparently they must be more interesting than their own. I say take it on the chin and pray for the poor buggers that write it. Bless em all.
NadineinMusic: good advice
NadineinMusic: thanks so much for your time, Joss
NadineinMusic: best of luck with the new album
JossStone2007: No problem luv, thanks ever so much for chatting with me
JossStone2007: Have a lovely day
NadineinMusic: it was my pleasure
NadineinMusic: you too!
JossStone2007: Thank u! X

Joss, Joss Stone