I
JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Mine and Eva's single is number One!
Never did I think that this project with the Red Cross who
are Tesco's
charity of the year would actually get us to the top of
the charts. I thought that
because charity records don't seem as fashionable as they
used to be, which
is awful as raising money for a certain charity shouldn't
be about whether
it's "in" or not!
All
the pennies raised from this single are going to the Red
Cross and
specifically their work in the UK, please go on their website
to find out
more: http://www.redcross.org.uk
I
know the song wouldn't be where it is if it wasn't for Chris
Bionde -Eva
Cassidy's producer- and her parents for giving permission
to use the never
released record of her singing 'What A Wonderful World'.
Where ever she might
be right now I hope she doesn't mind that I put my voice
all over her
stunning recording.
On
another subject I wanted to say sorry personally for shutting
down the forum.
Me and Mike felt it was the right thing to do for various
reasons, but also cause there
are other forums around on the net that you can all go to,
which I also visit occasionally,
and you can still leave messages on the Guestbook at katiemelua.com
I've
seen some of your congratulation wishes and wanted to say
thank you
for those. I'm now gonna go and celebrate with a JD and
coke.
All
the best,
Katie
x
December 4th, 2007
Sorry
for not writing a blog in such a long time, been crazy running
around Europe. Had a manic time last week where I was in
a different country each day and had a serious case of not
knowing where I was when I woke up in the morning, by the
end of the week I stopped trying to work it out.
The
worst thing happened on Monday on my way to Switzerland.
I got to Heathrow and by the check in desk when everyone
else pulled out their passports I realized that I'd left
mine at home. In THREE WHOLE years I've never forgotten
it before! Luckily we had just enough time for someone to
get it. We still had to leg it to the gate and I don't think
I've run that much in a year. New Year’s resolution:
be able to run for five minutes without having a minor coronary!
Don't
mean to gloat but I've done all my Xmas shopping, it’s
the greatest feeling in the world not having to worry about
buying pressies last minute, which is what I normally do.
I'm not sure what has induced me to be so organized this
year....hope I do it next year.
Take
care, will write much sooner next time.
Katie
x
October 25th, 2007
Hi
Strangest
thing happened last week. I was in Sweden and woke up on
Monday with no voice. I felt fine and nothing hurt but my
voice was
completely gone, nothing, nada! When trying to speak I just
omitted a
hoarse scary noise, so we had to cancel everything for the
week. But
when your voice is gone it's gone. So I spent last week
moping around the
house, looking after myself and listening to music.
Got
into Anthony and the Johnsons, I know I'm a bit late to
get into him
but better late than never. Speaking of getting into artists
I find it
ironic that before I got into the music biz I always knew
what artists
where around, who was number one every week and who had
their albums
out, but now I couldn't name you 10 albums that have come
out this year!
I wonder if its cause I'm not in the country enough or cause
I'm getting
older? Who knows?
Me
and Mike are in the studio this Sunday to record a couple
of tracks
for a December release, can't say too much about it yet
but I'm very
excited and can't wait to work in the studio again.
Hope
you have a scary halloween!
love
Katie
October 7th 2007
Hi
all,
Sorry
my last blog was removed, there was a technical hitch but
hopefully you can now view it alright.
It’s
great to hear your reactions to the album, there are some
surprising opinions that you have. I like the fact that
you're honest and don't just say what I'd want to hear,
although we've had a couple of reviews where they've laid
into Mike quite a lot. It makes me really angry ‘cause
they criticise his writing when he's such a good songwriter.
I sometimes think the critics don't seem to get his play
on words, they seem to take everything so seriously. Well,
you can't please everyone.
Had
a bit of a tragedy the other day, where I needed my friend
to help me get rid of one of my fish that died. You see,
I have a strange fear of dead goldfish... This has been
a fear of mine since childhood, which means I am not very
good at dealing with my fish dying!
Luckily
about three months ago my best mate rang me up in the middle
of the night sounding petrified and crying down the phone
asking where I was. I was very concerned and when I asked
what was the matter, she told me that there was a massive
spider in her flat and her boyfriend not being in that night
couldn’t help her get rid of it. You see, she has
a serious case of arachnophobia! So knowing this, at about
2am I drove to her flat and saved her from the spider. It
was only a little fella, and even though I may be freaked
by dead goldfish, I have no problem getting rid of spiders.
So she owed me one, and dutifully paid back her debt the
other day by coming over to get blade out of the bowl...
Just
chilling out now, in between all the promotion for the album
having some tea with chocolate Hobnobs, so I'm going to
go and enjoy those, till next time,
Katie
September
28th 2007
Hello
everyone.
Isn't it strange how time goes so quickly, I can't believe
Picture is coming out next week? It feels like only yesterday
I turned 22 and last week it was my 23rd! It's been so busy
I even feel like I haven't really been in touch with you
that well. I spent a good day looking at all your birthday
cards and reading your birthday wishes in the guestbook,
and I wanted to say thank you for spending the time to post
those.
It's strange going back into doing lots of interviews for
the single and album, getting back into the habit of meeting
a stranger, talking to them, and then having that conversation
put into writing and it being read and available to everyone
and anyone in the world. I've forgotten how careful you
have to be with what you say, 'cause things are often made
more dramatic than they really are. I'm referring to the
me and Mike splitting up article, that a few of you have
taken interest in.
Yes it is true that from a creative point of view Mike is
going to take more of a back seat after this album, but
that was always the plan. We're still going to be working
together as he is still my manager and record company. He
just wants to work on other projects and we both feel like
its time I made an album on my own. I'm sure there will
be occasions when I'll ask him for advice, as he has helped
me so much with my career. But to be honest I haven't really
dwelled too deeply about what the next album is going to
be like 'cause it feels like I've just finished this album
and I can't wait to hear what you think.
There was also some suggestion in an article that I was
feeling down, and even though this isn't true, I don't blame
the journalist that wrote it, its easy to misread someone's
mood especially down a phone line to New Zealand.
I've had plenty of miscommunications over the years down
phone lines when speaking to relatives in Georgia, most
of the time they're quite funny incidents. But I want to
assure you that I'm not sad (or crying into my ice-cream,
for those who read the article) I'm happier than I've ever
been.
There has been a bit of inaccurate comment in the media
about me slagging off other artists for being in the tabloids
about their drug and alcohol or other personal problems.
This isn't what I said, I just responded to a TV interviewer
who asked me whether I thought it made me be perceived as
less "cool" than them, and I said that perhaps
he was right, but why should I change? I never comment on
other artists' behaviour, and I tend to keep interviews
all about the music rather than personal life and family,
etc. However, I don't consider those artists who do put
more than their music in the media as inferior to me. I
know the struggle that musicians go through to try to keep
sane and on top of things and its really sad when the weight
is too much for them.
On a different note, I've read a great book recently about
trying to make it in the music industry it'll give you a
good laugh and a good insight into the music biz world.
It's called, "I Was Bono's Doppelganger".
Anyway better go, - I'll try to stay in better touch from
now on.
All the best.
Katie
September
14th 2007
Hi
all,
Well
things are starting to take off now; we are releasing the
album next month. I am very excited and interested to hear
what you all think.
I
went to Japan last week to promote 'Pictures' and as always
it was out of this world. I always find Japanese culture
so fascinating; it’s a place where very old traditions
and cultures meet the future. I have also become obsessed
with edaname beans, and on one night I impressed the record
company by getting through seven portions of them!
I
am in Paris today doing Taratata TV show which is the show
where I met Camille the French singer / songwriter; check
her out if you haven’t already. There are always really
great acts on this show. It will be interesting to see who
I come across today, but one of the things I'm doing on
the show is a version of 'I Shot The Sherriff' as a duet
with the Nigerian artist Asa, which is a coincidence as
she is signing to Dramatico for the UK.
When
we arrived yesterday there were all these men in kilts,
they were here for the big rugby match, so Paris is going
through a Scottish invasion at the moment!
Take
care,
Katie
x
August 7th 2007
Hi,
I
have just come back from Georgia; I was there for a few
days to see my relatives. I can’t believe how much
the country has changed, in many ways for the better. There
is a new airport, lots of new shops and the roads have got
fewer holes in them! It looks like it’s heading for
the lovely road of globalisation...
I’m
leaving later this week to go to Prague to shoot the video
for the first single, and then I am pretty much out of the
country until September, it's all getting very exciting
though with the new album and I am in the frame of mind
of having no idea of how people are going to react to it,
I am very curious to see what everyone thinks...
K
x
July
23rd 2007
Still
touring, I've been to Nice and Germany. The weather was
so stunning in Nice that I had to go scuba diving on my
day off, which was brilliant. I've heard that the Med Sea
isn’t great for seeing much fish but I was really
pleased. I got to see barracuda, an octopus, groupers, starfish
and lots of other divers!!
I've
got the last gig tonight for this leg of the tour before
I go back to London, and it’s gone really quickly.
I
can’t wait to get home though to get the new Harry
Potter book and to watch the film!!
Take
Care
Katie
July
16th 2007
It’s
nice to be out on the road again, we've got a great new
tour bus and everyone is pleased to be performing on stage
again.
We
might do some new songs from the third album because we
have finally finished it!! We are at that stage where we
are trying to decide what the first single and album title
will be. It’s a relief to finally finish it as it’s
something I have been working on for so long. Both me and
Mike are very happy with it.
I
played at the North Sea Jazz festival yesterday and got
to see Al Green perform. Today I nearly got lost in Bonn
trying to find a river near the hotel I was staying at.
I walked through a forest and then came across an old part
of the town and kept asking for directions, I was told to
keep going straight and I walked and walked in the sticky
heat for about 45 minutes until I finally got to the river,
only to find it wasn’t the secluded watery haven I
was looking for. I tried to retrace my steps but for some
reason that didn’t work, so ended up getting a cab
to the hotel. Luckily I had the hotel name on me this time;
it wasn’t like the time in Oz when I forgot where
I was staying!! So it was comparatively OK...
I
have to get out the habit of getting lost...
Take
Care,
K
x
June
21st 2007
I've
got a small garden and I'm getting very excited by the roses
that are blooming in it, I'm particularly fond of one which
has surprised me with its blooms because of the nature of
how I obtained it.
Back
in January, Steve the tour manager finally sold his country
house in Winchester and was packing up his house for the
move in a few months. Knowing that I was fond of roses he
suggested that I take one of his very old rose bushes that
was in his garden.
So
come February I drove to Winchester with some compost in
my trunk and a keenness to dig up a lovely rose for me to
adopt and take to my small patch in London.
When
I got there I found Steve's wife in a frenzy of packing
and labeling and as I already felt grateful for their gift
I insisted on digging up the rose myself.
It
looked small enough. Little did I know the size of the rose
was deceiving ‘cause it had been cut back for the
season. I started digging with the fork and shovel I'd been
given, making sure not to damage any of the main roots.
I dug and dug and dug, for about an hour with no sight of
the roots ending! Another hour passed and finally Heather
(Steve's wife) suggested that I break off some of the roots,
as they seemed to be never ending. Sweating and covered
in mud and maggots I put the roots in a wet cloth, thanked
Heather and drove back to London.
So
after all that it’s great that all the digging paid
off. I know I could have gone to a nursery and got a rose
probably of the same age and it probably would have cost
less than the petrol that it took to drive to Winchester
and back but I wouldn't have had the same satisfying feeling
I get now as the sweet scented roses bloom.
Katie
x
June 6th 2007
Hi,
Went
to record strings for the album in Ireland yesterday, it’s
always such a nice final touch to songs to add the strings.
I don’t know why but they always seem to add another
level of emotion, and The Irish Film Orchestra are such
a great Orchestra with really wonderful players.
Every
time we go to Ireland we always have to have a Guinness,
I have to say though I only drink it because I'm there.
I generally like to stick to another Irish drink, a favourite
amongst the ladies, Baileys.
Living
in London I really think you should make the most of the
Art & Culture on your doorstep, so I have been going
to quite a few plays recently, and one that has really blown
me away, and also because I wasn’t expecting much
from it all, was Equus. There seemed to be a lot of hype
around it, mainly concerning Daniel Radcliffe being naked,
but I was surprised at how fantastic the script was. There
was so much depth and hidden meaning behind the dialogue
and a really incredible character analysis behind different
types of human behaviour. I really recommend you go and
see it.
Take
Care,
Katie
x
May 30th 2007
Hi,
Last
week I went to the Live Earth press conferences, as I’ve
said before, I’m really excited to be taking part.
It’s frustrating sometimes though that so many people
have such pessimistic viewpoints about doing charity concerts,
and especially this one about global warming, as I can't
believe there are still people arguing that global warming
isn’t from human abuse to the planet!
It’s
a shame that it has taken the fear of the destruction of
the planet being so close to do something to stop it; surely
we should have been looking after our planet all along,
without it being because it could be too late.
As
far as I’m concerned that is why I am taking part
in Live Earth, to show young people that it is cool to care
about our planet and to look after it, not because I’m
terrified that there will be another Ice Age...
I
think fear is too often used as a political tactic to inspire
the masses to act, I think people should be going green,
not because we are afraid, but because we love the beauty
of our planet and everything it gives us.
Love
K x
May 29th 2007
Hi,
I've
spent the last couple of days looking at directors for videos,
although we haven’t yet got a single, in fact we haven't
yet got an album!! But it’s always good to start the
search early on. Although, I have to say videos don't seem
as influential as they were 10 years ago. For example I
could name the top 2 hit singles of the year so far but
I have no idea what the videos to them are like.
It's
funny because I can see now 'the video' becoming a lost
art form. I can just imagine in a few years, those who had
slammed the videos for their over-emphasis on visual aspects
of an artist, rather than the music itself, reminiscing
about the heyday of 'the video.'
In
fact, I'm sure I will be one of those, because I have often
complained about how a video never lets the listener create
their own images to their favourite songs. But if 'the video'
completely disappeared (and it really could, they are even
talking about getting rid of the singles chart) then I know
that I’ll miss them, because when an artist and director
get it right it can be a work of genius.
For
example, most of Chris Cunningham’s work is incredible,
he has directed videos such Bjork's 'All Is Full Of love',
most of the Aphex Twin’s material and Madonna’s
'Frozen'. Spike Jonze’s work is also outstanding;
he has done the two Fatboy Slim songs 'Praise You' and 'Weapon
Of Choice'.
So
let’s hope the video doesn’t completely die,
after all we don’t want the radio star to kill the
video star!!
Katie
x
May 14th 2007
Hey,
In
the studio all last week, Ray Cooper, the legendary percussion
player, came into the studio on Saturday and recorded all
sorts of rhythmic instruments on most of the tracks we've
got so far.
I'm
very excited to be taking part in Live Earth which is a
number of concerts that are taking place around the world
on the 7th of July, to highlight the effect of Global warming
on the planet. Ever since I watched the Al Gore film 'An
Inconvenient Truth' I’ve felt that the issue of global
warming is ridiculously important, especially the fact that
most scientists believe that global warming is a result
of human action and that if we don't do something about
it fast then we might not have a planet to live on anymore
- and let's face it if we haven't got a planet, then we're
pretty screwed!
Katie
x
May 3rd 2007
Hi all,
Hope
you're well and "Londoners" are enjoying the stunning
weather, if you're not in London or if the weather isn’t
stunning, hope it'll be stunning soon.
First
of all I have to say how the pressure is piling up with
regards to the album. Whoever said the second one is the
hardest was kidding themselves. I have come to realize that
it gets harder and harder. You have to not only think about
what's in front of you and ahead of you but also what's
behind and how you can change and grow yet bring the better
things you learned on the first two albums with you. So
here we go, me and Mike, agreeing on things we disagree
on and arguing about things we agree on, but luckily the
music always works out in the end. Because being each other’s
hardest critics can only bring out the best.
But
don't worry I still feel good about it and the pressure
is something you can kind of get off on, ‘cause if
it was too easy I think we'd lose the interest in making
records.
I
was watching the news today and noticed that Bush is visiting
the chaos that he's caused in Iraq, as someone who was against
the war - mainly because violence should always be the very
last resort - I would have loved it if invading Iraq turned
out to have been the best thing for that poor country.
But
I don't know anyone after four years of war and year by
year watching the situation get worse and worse on the news
anyone who still thinks it was the right thing to do. If
I was trying to be unemotional about it, I would still only
say that even if the decision to go to war was the right
one (‘cause we all know that Sadam wasn't exactly
an angel) it has all been done so badly, and sadly it is
the Iraqi people that are the sufferers.
I
don't want to seem like I don't support the American, English
and Georgina troops and young soldiers who are out there.
But I truly hope for their sake that the decisions their
government have made are the right ones. Only history will
tell.
x
Video Blog!
Katie's Video Blog from the Echo Awards in Berlin!
April
12th 2007
Hi
I
got a mandolin for Christmas that I am trying to learn at
the mo, it’s quite similar to the guitar, but it’s
smaller so you have to be a lot more delicate with where
you place your fingers. Speaking of learning instruments,
Justin the guitarist from my band has got a website where
he teaches professional guitar lessons for free. He does
it all from his flat, so it’s pretty down to earth.
It’s the only quality based guitar teaching website
that is completely free on the web, so brilliant for people
who want to learn but can't afford lessons. He even told
me about a few teenagers from Africa who had got in touch
with him to tell him that his website was great, as in their
town there weren't any guitar teachers, so they were now
learning from his site. If you wanna pick up some guitar
skills, go check it out on:
www.justinguitar.com
See
you
Katie
x x x
April 2nd 2007
Hi all
Sorry
for the gap between my last blog and this one. It’s
been a manic couple of weeks. I went to Germany last weekend
to the Echo Awards, to sing LITSWD ; ) and was nominated
so had to practice my best disappointed but happy for the
winner-face for if I didn't get it and my surprised and
happy face, if I did. He he. I sang LITSWD towards the start
of the show and then I sat down in the audience to watch
the rest and nervously wait for my nomination. The show
was reeeeeeally long, but I got to see Yusuf Islam (formally
known as Cat Stevens) perform, who was amazing! Bono got
an award for his campaigning and gave a great acceptance
speech. And then they came to my nomination.... I'd like
to share a few thoughts here: obviously I'm excited, but
I know it’s not a big deal if I don't get it, and
you try to be cool. But for some reason you still end up
holding your breath as they say "and the winner is....”
It’s weird! I wonder what other weird things people
who get nominated do as the winner’s name gets said.
Anyway, they said my name and I was genuinely shocked, ‘cause
I didn't think I'd get the Echo twice, went to get it, gave
a really average speech and went backstage and had a drink!
I
have to say though, the highlight of the evening was meeting
Yusuf Islam (formally known as Cat Stevens) and him saying
that he listens to my music. That was incredible! I've been
his fan since I first heard Tea For The Tillerman. It’s
my favourite album to listen to when I'm traveling.
On
another note I just wanted to say a big thank you to all
of you on the website and forum for organising the Choice
Is Yours campaign to raise money for Save The Children,
it’s extremely thoughtful of all of you and all your
cash will be going to help the lives of the most needed
children in the world.
Love
Katie
March 7th 2007
Hi
Well
it’s been an interesting week, been writing quite
a bit and I feel like I've finally got a hand on co-writing.
I don't know why but I've always regarded songwriting as
a very personal thing and difficult to let another writer
in and play with your baby when its still being developed
(I know the baby analogy is naff but it’s the only
way I can describe it), but now I feel like I've let go
of that insecurity and am beginning to trust that two songwriters
can just as easily come up with great songs.
I've
been writing with Mike and we're coming up with some unexpected
things, I've also been writing with a girl called Andrea,
who's a brilliant lyricist, which is a good combination
as I’ve always found lyrics harder to write than music.
I am however still working on my own compositions so there
will definitely be tracks on the next album that I've written
on my own, ones that I know I have to finish.
Last
Monday I did something quite bizarre, and unexpected. For
about three years now Dramatico occasionally get scripts
for films for me to act in; it’s quite random to be
honest because I'm a singer, but I suppose there are a lot
of singers who dabble in acting (often quite badly, in my
opinion). I have never been tempted because I think there's
a real art and skill in acting that takes years to develop,
and I don't have that art or skill.
However,
before Christmas Mike mentioned a film that was being made
and the makers were trying to find out if I'd be interested
in doing a VERY small part in it. I couldn't believe when
he told me that it was a film called ‘Grindhouse’
that was being directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert
Rodriguez. I am a huge Tarantino fan and love Rodriguez’s
work too, especially ‘Sin City’. ‘Grindhouse’
is an homage to a type of theatre which used to show back
to back films with themes of violence, sex and horror in
the 60's, 70's and early 80's.
Tarantino
and Rodriguez have divided their film into two parts, so
the audience actually sees two films back to back like they
would have done if they had gone to a Grindhouse theatre.
In between the two films there are trailers for fake films,
I am in one of those trailers. It’s a tiny part and
I just couldn't pass on an opportunity to be in a horror
film, as horror is my favourite genre to watch. Give me
Friday night popcorn and an endless supply of any kind of
horror, from slashy to physiological, and I’m hooked.
So
if you fancy watching my blink-and-you'll-miss-me moment
of acting then go check it out. It was great fun filming
and I had a laugh with Edgar Wright who directed that particular
trailer, he was brilliant.
Till
next time
Lots
of love
K
February 22nd 2007
Hi,
I’ve
really enjoyed writing lately and catching up with my normal
life. I was in Paris last week on Valentine’s Day…
for work though! But we went to see the Moulin Rouge in
the evening and although it’s quite a tourist trap
I’d highly recommend it. It’s also been a very
special week for Georgia, it is the first time in its history
that Georgia has gone through to the Eurovision song contest
and although sometimes that show can be musically challenged,
Georgia is really excited about it and I’ve been asked
to hear the entry track. I have and have been brilliantly
surprised at how good it is. So even though the show is
a little naff I would urge all of you to watch it and vote
for Georgia as I will be (sorry it’s the nationalistic
in me coming out!).
In
fact I heard that Mike used to have Eurovision song contest
parties where he’d bring all his mates round and they
would have their own scoring sheets - but the points were
given for things like best hair do, best smile, strangest
high note reached and the person you would be least ashamed
to take home to your mum. So please vote for Georgia!
Love
Katie x
January 24th 2007
Hi
Been
writing this week, apart from yesterday which got interrupted
by a quick video that we had to film for the 'When You Taught
Me How To Dance' to go on the Beatrix Potter DVD release,
and for some reason thought it would be a good idea to film
it outside, but it was soooo freezing, I couldn’t
feel my hands to play the guitar! Oh well, had a lovely
hot chocolate when I got in.
Have
just finished THE best book ever! It’s called ‘Sputnik
Sweetheart’ by Haruki Murakami, it’s a little
difficult to describe the storyline in a small blog, but
if you like strange philosophical books that leave you thinking
for a long time after you've put it down, then I’d
strongly recommend this one.
I'm
very excited about gigs that are coming up this year especially,
the James Taylor and Bob Dylan gigs in April, might see
ya there.
Love
Katie
January 17th 2007
Hey,
Well,
its a horrible grey day in London. I've been at home doing
some writing for the next album and it's been nice not thinking
about getting on the next flight. Although having said that,
I am going to Munich this weekend for the 'Bayerischer Filmpreis'
German film awards.
Today's
blog might be a good blog to mention a thank you to all
the fans on the forum who last year raised some cash for
Save The Children. I believe you guys are thinking of doing
it again this year and calling it the 'Choice Is Yours Project
2007'. I know that any cash you raise will be spent in the
best way possible to help struggling children around the
world, by giving them access to better healthcare, education
and some form of stability. So thank you for doing that.
Katie
x
January
3rd 2007
Hi everyone!
Hope
you've all had a good Christmas, New Year and any other
religious or non-religious holiday that you've had : ) Mine
was really chilled with the family. We all went on holiday
together for the first time to somewhere that wasn't Georgia,
so that was a welcome break. On holiday me and my brother
learned to Scuba dive and saw some amazing things, like
giant turtles, manta rays, stingrays, puffer fish and much
other marine life. It’s one thing going to an aquarium
to see these creatures but it’s another actually seeing
them in their own environment. Especially something like
the sea where you can see more different species in ten
minutes than in ten hours in the most unspoiled wildernesses
above water! I loved every minute of it and came away from
the experience of getting a scuba diving license completely
in awe of the planet we live on.
Interestingly
on the plane back I watched the film "An Inconvenient
Truth", which is about global warming. It was such
a terrifying yet moving film. The great thing about it was
that the message wasn't all doom and gloom but just a very
serious warning of what could happen if we don't change
the way we live. I'd urge everyone to see this film, especially
if you have any friends who don't think global warming will
affect them, rent the film out and make them watch the most
important film of their lives.
