“Isn’t that what lyrics are for? I love the magic of words – the different ways of saying things. You can slightly alter them and they’ll cut just the right way. Of course the words need to fit in with what I’m trying to say. “For example, when I was writing a song for this record Spit Three Times I was initially thinking about throwing salt over my shoulder but it sounded ridiculous trying to sing that, so I changed it to spit three times. Spit just fit pretty good.” And on the subject of superstitions, she says: “I just find them fascinating – you know, like you’re not supposed to put your hat on the table, or you’re not supposed to put your shoes on the bed. It’s funny because if certain superstitions are not a part of your culture and you don’t know about them… [here she trails off with that trademark cackle].” I tell Neneh about how whenever I hear ambulance sirens, I feel compelled to do signs of the cross, not once but eight times. “Wow, I didn’t know that one, but it’s just as well or I’d be doing just-as-crazy things. Here [in the UK], we have this thing where if you see a magpie, it’s bad luck. But if you see two magpies, it’s okay; it’s lucky. So I’m always, like, walking down the street and trying to spot and salute these friggin’ magpies…” There’s a dark, spooky song in there somewhere, I’m sure. ▪ ‘Blank Project’ is out through Smalltown Supersound. A double deluxe CD of the album is also available featuring remixes by Ricardo Villalobos, Joe Goddard, Cooly G and more.
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