Caro Emerald scored a huge No.1 earlier this year with ‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’, and has sold millions of albums worldwide since. She brings her sassy jazz style to G-A-Y this Saturday…
Your first two albums are classic concept albums, themed around different eras and cities, with Hollywood and Paris as the focus. Why did you pick Paris as the subject of your second album?
We started with a mood board, just collecting photographs. More and more of the photos depicted the French style of fashion – these photographs then made us realize that Paris was the perfect city to focus the album around – it all started with my love for fashion!
And we love your style! What are your top tips for any virgin Paris visitors?
My best advice to the secret of understanding the French language is to ask them to speak slowly… ‘lentement’!
Who are your jazz heroes?
Definitely Nina Simone and Billie Holiday.
Everyone knows the big jazz hits, but what lesser-known jazz songs are your favourites?
I love real dramatic lyrics, so ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Strange Fruit’ would be my choices.
What’s been your weirdest experience of fame to date?
I find fame itself to be the weirdest experience!
You beat Thriller with the longest run at Number 1 on the Dutch charts. Did you have any crazy Michael Jackson fans telling you off?
Yes I did! There were some Dutch people at the time who were saying ‘She cannot be better than Michael Jackson – no way’!
When you pop out to the supermarket do you go out in the full Miss Emerald ensemble?
No way! It takes about two hours to get the full Miss Emerald ensemble together! I don’t even wear heels to the supermarket…
Imagine you’re going out partying – tell us about your ideal night out: where are you going, who are you with, what do you drink, where do you end up?
I love going to festivals in the summer, and I love those last minute calls from friends asking you to go out to something you wouldn’t normally go to… It would definitely be with a group of friends or a girlie night out. I would definitely stick to one type of drink all night so you can stay out longer, beer would be my choice! I love meeting strangers and a group of you going back to their house and just talking, then not leaving until eight the next morning!
You’re taking some time off as you’re pregnant. Do you know if it’s a boy or girl, and if so have you picked out a name?
I don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. As for names, I have no clue! Maybe you can suggest some good ones!
We’re sure Jeremy at G-A-Y will have some ideas! The press have speculated about the father. Can you reveal anything?
No, I can’t reveal anything!
Fair enough. Finally, you play at G-A-Y next weekend! Gay fans are more associated with pop music than sexy jazz… But we think they’re gonna love Miss Emerald! What are you planning for the show?
We have created a very specific show for G-A-Y. A special set list to keep the energy high and it will end with a bang!
• Caro Emerald appears at G-A-Y at Heaven (Under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG) on Saturday 2nd November, 10pm-5am. £4 wristband from G-A-Y Bar.
• The Shocking Miss Emerald Deluxe Edition is released on November 4th on Dramatico/Grand Mono. For more information and 2014 tour dates visit www.caroemerald.com
