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Sweet Nothings
At sixteen, Gabriella Cilmi's soulful voice rivals the likes of Amy Winehouse. She spoke to 9TO5 of her success so far.
So what's not sweet about you?
Nothing [laughs].
You live in London now. Is it hard being away all the time?
Yes of course I miss them [friends and family] but I'm always MySpacing and we get really cheap calls from London so I am speaking to Australia all the time. I am hoping to be back for the ARIA's so I will get to see everyone then.
Is it true you lied to your friends about why you were away so much?
Yes, I just had heard so many horror stories of the music business so I wanted to be sure that it was all for real. I just wanted to keep it private until it felt like things were heading in the right direction.
What's been the highlight of your career so far?
There are a few. A number one single in Australia and a gold album in the UK. But really what I love most is playing my own live shows and I have just finished my first UK tour and loved it.
What scares you about the music industry?
The way people are big one minute and dropped the next.
Do you feel like you missed out on anything growing up?
No, I was really lucky that I only recorded on the school holidays at first, so I got to be in school until year 10. Now I have to do it by correspondence, which isn't as easy. I am missing my school friends now but am pretty lucky to be travelling round the world and doing what I love most - performing. I travel with my band so we have a lot of laughs on the road.
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How do you cope with the pressure of juggling school and being a successful artist?
I barely do. I do try though. I'm pretty busy most of the time - but this is what I want to do, so hey.
You recently toured with the Sugababes. Did you see anything unfit for a 16 year old's eyes?
Ha ha. Nah, not at all. It was a very tame tour. My band are far more mental.
Is it true your voice comes from your bad posture?
Well, that is what an osteopath said to me. So it could be true...
What are your other passions besides music?
MySpacing, fashion, food (Italian and Japanese), coffee.
What's your personal style? Got any favourite designers?
I love D&G and Vivienne Westwood. My personal style changes slightly with what I am doing. When I'm doing my live shows I'm a bit more jeans, jewellery, boots, etc. But if I am doing a fashion shoot, obviously we up the ante a bit and I get to choose. But I really love my boots. And dresses.
What are you looking forward to?
UK Summer festivals - T in The Park and V - cannot wait and can't really believe I am on the same bill as Muse and Kings of Leon! I may have to accidentally on purpose bump into them...
Gabriella Cilmi's album, Lessons To Be Learned, is out now through Warner Music.
So what's not sweet about you?
Nothing [laughs].
You live in London now. Is it hard being away all the time?
Yes of course I miss them [friends and family] but I'm always MySpacing and we get really cheap calls from London so I am speaking to Australia all the time. I am hoping to be back for the ARIA's so I will get to see everyone then.
Is it true you lied to your friends about why you were away so much?
Yes, I just had heard so many horror stories of the music business so I wanted to be sure that it was all for real. I just wanted to keep it private until it felt like things were heading in the right direction.
What's been the highlight of your career so far?
There are a few. A number one single in Australia and a gold album in the UK. But really what I love most is playing my own live shows and I have just finished my first UK tour and loved it.
What scares you about the music industry?
The way people are big one minute and dropped the next.
Do you feel like you missed out on anything growing up?
No, I was really lucky that I only recorded on the school holidays at first, so I got to be in school until year 10. Now I have to do it by correspondence, which isn't as easy. I am missing my school friends now but am pretty lucky to be travelling round the world and doing what I love most - performing. I travel with my band so we have a lot of laughs on the road.
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How do you cope with the pressure of juggling school and being a successful artist?
I barely do. I do try though. I'm pretty busy most of the time - but this is what I want to do, so hey.
You recently toured with the Sugababes. Did you see anything unfit for a 16 year old's eyes?
Ha ha. Nah, not at all. It was a very tame tour. My band are far more mental.
Is it true your voice comes from your bad posture?
Well, that is what an osteopath said to me. So it could be true...
What are your other passions besides music?
MySpacing, fashion, food (Italian and Japanese), coffee.
What's your personal style? Got any favourite designers?
I love D&G and Vivienne Westwood. My personal style changes slightly with what I am doing. When I'm doing my live shows I'm a bit more jeans, jewellery, boots, etc. But if I am doing a fashion shoot, obviously we up the ante a bit and I get to choose. But I really love my boots. And dresses.
What are you looking forward to?
UK Summer festivals - T in The Park and V - cannot wait and can't really believe I am on the same bill as Muse and Kings of Leon! I may have to accidentally on purpose bump into them...
Gabriella Cilmi's album, Lessons To Be Learned, is out now through Warner Music.
Story: Elise Pitt
