On the eve of the release of her new album, British singer and songwriter Beth Orton has spoken about creativity, the '90s, the financial difficulties of artists, and the impact that artificial intelligence could have on music.
In an interview with readers, Orton revealed that she discovered her singing talent in 1989 while she was part of an experimental theater project between Ukraine and the UK. She said that her biggest fear was singing in public, so she decided to challenge herself by turning a Rimbaud poem into a song she imagined as a blues.
After this experience, Orton met producer William Orbit, who encouraged her to pursue music and connected her with a vocal coach. However, she admitted that she still finds it difficult to fully see herself as a singer or musician.
Speaking about the creative process, Orton said that songs usually start with inspiration: a walk in nature, a conversation, or an idea that suddenly occurs to her. Then, she turns to the piano or guitar, where the words, melody, and chords often come simultaneously. According to her, the hardest part is consciously developing an idea that initially came unconsciously.
One of her earliest musical memories is of David Bowie. Orton recounted that when she was about nine years old and living in Norwich, she heard her brother playing the song “Oh! You Pretty Things” loudly. She described the moment as an experience that gave her excitement and a zest for life.
The artist also spoke about the influence of John Martyn on her music, calling him a great inspiration, even though her meeting with him was not particularly close. She added that this did not change her love for his music.
Orton also recalled a special moment on the London Underground in 1997 or 1998, when an entire carriage started singing her song “She Cries Your Name” after recognizing her. She said she didn’t join in the singing, but found it a very sweet and touching moment.
Speaking about her collaboration with the Chemical Brothers on the song "Where Do I Begin," Orton admitted that the period reflected the chaos, hedonism and energy of the '90s. "Yeah, definitely. It's hard to remember everything, but what I remember was a lot of fun," she said.
When asked about her 1999 album "Central Reservation," Orton admitted to having mixed feelings. She said that after the success of "Trailer Park," there was a push for remixes and a more polished sound, which didn't always feel like something she could do. However, she said that she continues to recreate these songs in live performances today.
Orton also spoke about the financial realities of artists who stay outside the mainstream. She said it's not easy to make a living from original music alone, especially when you have a family to support. However, despite doubts about whether she should get "a real job," music remained her main path.
An important part of the interview was her stance on artificial intelligence. Orton said she is concerned about the negative impact AI could have on music and creativity. According to her, true art stems from human experience and has a spiritual, emotional and energetic impact that cannot be replaced by machines.
"I still hope that the truth remains true and that only humans can create art the way humans do," she said, adding that she doesn't see how artificial intelligence can have a truly beneficial impact on people.
Asked about her "Lost Leaves" project, an idea to release old, unreleased material, Orton said that at the moment she is more focused on new music and the future, although she did not rule out returning to those "lost treasures."
Finally, the artist spoke about how her music has also become a source of comfort for her. She said that in difficult times it is often impossible for her to listen to music, because she is so affected by words and sounds. For this reason, the songs she is creating now are, in a way, the sounds and messages that she herself would like to hear. /GazetaExpress/
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