The Ivors Interview - Imogen Heap

“It was wonderful for me to be recognised as a songwriter.”

Romford-born singer-songwriter Imogen Heap received the 2010 Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement. She is best known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces and mixes.

Following iMegaphone, Speak for Yourself and Ellipse, she has decided to take a radically different approach for her fourth solo album. The concept will be to write and record one track over a two week period every three months - with each song and video being released immediately and when the song is fresh and relevant to her. By the end of 2013, Imogen plans to have completed 12 songs, the equivalent of a studio album.

What are your memories of last year’s Ivors?

It was wonderful for me to be recognised as a songwriter in Britain and receive the award from Annie [Lennox]. I’ve done quite well in the States but it finally felt like there was a real public acknowledgement of my Britishness.

Has it changed things?

Yes, and I think my winning an Ivor Novello Award was also important for my team, my management and the publishers that I’ve worked with over the years. So many people have played such a huge part in the development of my songwriting career. For me to be recognised in the UK means that their work has been recognised too. It was lovely to be able to say thank you – even if I forgot to thank the most important person in my working life, my manager, Mark.

Tell us about the “crowdsourcing” concept behind your new album

For [the first track] Lifeline, I wanted to capture the general consciousness of anything that might have been going on in the world at the time. Fans from all over the planet sent in sounds from different countries. Everything from a dishwasher door to a windscreen. The sounds they sent on the first day inspired the key.

My brother’s wife had his first child on that day and he sent me the sound of his daughter’s heartbeat still in his wife’s womb, a few hours before she gave birth. This worked beautifully against the tempo of the song – it was perfect. So there was my family and a new life going into this new song, as well as a macro of my other life – everyone from all over the planet. It got me so inspired.

How do you relax away from making music?

Well, if there’s a piano about that is one way I really relax, just improvising. Music has, ever since I can remember, been what I do in my spare time, so has always been my hobby. When I was 17 it became my professional partner.

What is your big hope for 2011?

To do less in a wasteful way. When you’re making an album, there is so much waste. When you’re panicking about things, you can spend hours doing something that takes you an hour when you’re feeling inspired. So I’m looking to find a way to better manage my time, so I can have breaks.

I’m going to be the most productive I’ve ever been this year, but I’m also going to be the most relaxed and have the most time outside of it as well. That way, when someone next asks me say, if I’d like to produce or write a song for them, I can finally manage it. I’m looking forward to being able to say ‘yes’.