Joan Armatrading’s long-anticipated new album, Consequences is out now. The 10-track album was written, performed, and produced by the CBE (Order of the British Empire) laureate.
Joan is also a Trustee of The Princes Trust and been awarded an Ivor Novella Fellowship, received an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2014/15, Joan completed a massive 235 date world tour that included South Africa.
She is also the first British female artist to debut at Number One on the Billboard Blues chart, where she stayed for 12 weeks and was the first-ever UK female artist to be nominated for a Grammy award in the blues category.
Consequences is an intimate and direct album and wears its conscience and its heart on its sleeve. “I feel as excited about this album as I did when Love and Affection came out. Butterflies!”, Armatrading says.
The current single, Already There, is a perfect example of this, as it details the common experience of when one person in a couple is already in love, while the other still hasn’t quite arrived yet, emotionally.
To celebrate the release of the album, a special once-off concert will be globally streamed at 8 pm GMT on 31 July.
Joan will be playing the concert with her band, and the show will feature not only new material but also some of the best known and loved songs from her illustrious 50+ year career.
Tickets for access to the concert are available now from https://joan.lnk.to/Livestream and are priced at £24.00.
In the build-up to this highly anticipated reveal, I had the privilege of speaking
to the “Drop the Pilot” hitmaker.
The new decade means…
Each new decade means a new beginning and it’s exciting to think about what that new beginning will bring.
Retirement will happen when…
I don’t ever plan to retire from writing songs.
I don’t do…
Lawn mowing.
What does music mean to you?
Everything
My music is about…
People, how they communicate with each other, the emotions that people go through and positivity.
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
I just need to be alive to be inspired.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
Writing songs.
What is the one song you must do in every show?
“Love and Affection”, not just for the audience but because that song is a big part of what has made me have a lasting career.
Who are your heroes?
I don’t have heroes. I have many people I admire, and I think are so brilliant in mind and creativity.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
I admire anyone who has strong ethical principles and lives by them.
What is your most treasured possession?
Just being alive and being able to enjoy the world and everything that’s in it. That’s a treasure.
It’s your round, what are you drinking?
Water.
What is your dream gig to do?
All the gigs I’ve done have been my dream gig. Each show is special in its way
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
Be a musician.
Pick five words to describe yourself.
Joan, Armatrading, Singer, Songwriter, Musician.
What, in your opinion, is the greatest movie ever made?
North by Northwest.
What books are you reading?
I’m not reading anything now.
Who do you love?
I love everyone who loves life.
What is your greatest achievement?
I’m still trying to achieve it.
What do you complain about most often?
People dropping litter.
Happiness is…
People with people, friends, family, random people you’ve just met for the first time, conversations with people. People.
On stage, I tend to…
Enjoy the audience
Do you get worked up whilst watching a sports game on TV?
I certainly get caught up in the moment when watching anything exciting regarding not just sport, but films too.
Where would you like to be right now?
Right where I am.
Tell us a little more about your philanthropy.
I’m one of the Trustees of The Prince’s Trust. The Trust helps young people in the most positive and rewarding way. I love how it builds their confidence and makes them appreciate their worth in themselves and society.
Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChMcN0ke1eA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ZcO-9E9mdN5e3scBCAGvg
@ArmatradingJoan – twitter
Martin Myers 
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