How Björk has helped me heal from heartbreak

Published in BBC Culture August 21, 2020

We often hear about break-up albums – records made by artists in the throes of heartbreak, destined to be listened to on repeat by fans when they have their own wounds to lick. But there’s also a lesser-recognised musical phenomenon: the putting-yourself-back-together record.

Continue reading “How Björk has helped me heal from heartbreak”

How female artists are turbocharging their live shows

Published in The Independent on March 18, 2016

Record an album. Take it on tour, faithfully performing singles and favourites interspersed with old hits. Sell records. Repeat. That’s the basic formula. But, increasingly, just playing your album live is not enough; we’re seeing a rise in more inventive, odder live shows, that owe a debt to performance art. And it seems to be a particular trend among smart, interesting female artists. Continue reading “How female artists are turbocharging their live shows”