Page 426 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

London,” she says. “It was a big shock, a completely different atmosphere. London never
stops and that is quite difficult to adapt to sometimes. Culturally the difference is
unbelievable. Cumbria has incredible landscapes and scenery, really lovely people, and a
really strong sense of community, but there is nowhere near as much culture and things
going on as London.”

She had to be careful not to over commit her diary. “I found as soon as I was in London that I
was really busy, but also that I wasn’t in London so much as I thought as I was touring and
playing in different places. I remember moving on the Monday, I had a rehearsal in the
afternoon and a concert the next day. It was a mixture as before I couldn’t commit to too
much, but now I love the different challenges. I would love to go to more theatres and watch
more concerts though – that’s something I plan to do much more of when they reopen.”

We move on to talk about TIME, that second album for Decca, due for release at the end of
September. It was recorded with the Jess Gillam Ensemble, a chamber-sized group of
accomplished session musicians and percussionists. Several teasers for the album have
appeared, in the exciting form of new and specially commissioned pieces by Luke
Howard (Dappled Light) and Will Gregory (Orbit). The tracklisting is pleasingly
adventurous, with new interpretations of tracks by James Blake, Radiohead, Philip
Glass and Michael Nyman.

Gillam was already aware of Gregory’s pop music. “I’ve been a fan of Goldfrapp since I was
quite young”, she explains, “and have listened to their albums. I knew that Will was a sax
player and have played various pieces by him – so I just approached him and asked if he
could write a piece. Goldfrapp have blossomed as they have gone on, and that’s one of the
things I find really inspiring about Will, is that he can write in a classical style, with a score
for orchestra, but he can write in so many areas and have a distinctive voice still. For me it
makes his music more authentic, and it’s one of the reasons I love it.”