Mystic hippie Brit Natasha Khan is Bat For Lashes. More than music, Natasha Khan has built, from visions and vibrations, her own private universe. But before you enter her enchanted domain, check her out in our universe, where she’s strapped in to The Hot Seat and ready to tell all. Reader, read on.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Probably going on tour in Britain and staying in a castle in Yorkshire - it was definitely haunted, with old paintings of knights on the walls and an underground mining tunnel we toured in a little boat in the pitch black. Also in that town was the strangest shop I’ve ever been to - the owner was this brilliant old man who made every customer sing in to his karaoke machine microphone whilst wearing a halloween mask. We did a duet of “Moon River” together!
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I think a class in voodoo would be fun, or maybe Southern Gothic literature! Or body-popping, because I could wear ’80s tracksuits and the boys would be cute! Ha!
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: I think it’s New York so far - Brooklyn. Cause I have a lot of friends there that inspire me - and such a diverse range of artists, poets, musicians, photographers, staring contest winners, lightning bolt machine makers (this is totally true!) - I hope New Orleans is going to be my new favourite city in the US when I get to visit at the end of the year.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Believe in the invisible things.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your MP3/CD player right now?
A: Soulsavers - Mark Lanegan sings with them and they have a really creepy sound. And Ennio Morricone soundtracks. I’ve also been listening to Prince a lot lately - the best of.
Q: What’s the last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to?
A: Last good book - Anais Nin - Little Birds. It’s a bit naughty!
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw and how was it?
A: It was Five Star supporting Michael Jackson at Wembley Stadium in England - I was about 8 years-old. He was a tiny little smudge in the distance, but it was brilliant!
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Knee-length angora socks for the plane, my notebook and a bottle of brandy.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Too many to say - but always people that have a strong vision and create an entire universe of their own.
