Make way for the S-O-V's new album, Jigsaw, to slip quite nicely into your music collection. It's a bit of a departure from her braggadocios Vertically Challenged EP. Lady Sovereign has grown up a lot in the four years since her last release and she still hits hard while being more reflective. She's a little more electro, which smoothes out some of the roughness of this foul-mouthed talented shorty aka "The biggest midget in the game." It took me a while, but after finally being able to dial outside the country I got to speak to Sov about the album. Keep in mind when you read the transcription she has a much cooler accent than I could transliterate.
Chubby Jones: You were just on the SXSW circuit, what was that like for you?
Lady Sovereign: It was amazing. That's the second time I've done it now and it was good times. I mean I only did two out of four shows in the end - but it was great.
CJ: I got to see you a few years ago at the Pitchfork Music Festival where you headlined and saw you in the crowd. I asked to take my picture with you and afterwards you got swarmed by a bunch of other kids - sorry about that!
LS: That's fine! I don't mind stuff like that, otherwise I wouldn't walk around in crowds.
CJ: You've got the new album out, Jigsaw, how is this different or how has it evolved from Vertically Challenged?
LS: I'm always evolving so that's kind of a hard question to answer. I tried out some singing on this album and this album is a bit less aggressive than my first album. It's more personal but then, everything is personal. This one goes in all directions, but I'm always doing that anyway.
CJ: This album, particularly your single "So Human" resonates with me like a Mike Skinner (The Streets) record with all its storytelling and being a bit more emotional.
LS: (laughs) Oh I'm so emotional! Some of the tracks on there are more light-hearted I guess. The stories all come from experience.
CJ: Was it your idea to sample The Cure's "Close to Me" for that song?
LS: Yeah, I love that song! With the original, there's a good chunk of instrumental at the beginning of it so I was always rapping over it and I figured I really liked it for the new song and then, yeah...you know!
CJ: You started your own record label, Midget Records, have you signed any other artists to it yet?
LS: No, not yet. I'm not going to sign someone just for the sake of signing someone. When I hear something and I really like it, then I will. I haven't heard anything that I'm really in love with. I'm still looking. It's kind of hard to find someone that's a free agent.
CJ: Who have you been listening to these days that have gotten you going?
LS: Geez, I listen to so much, I don't have any favorite artists, I'm not fanatical about anyone, I litrally do listen to everything.
CJ: Has anything been particularly good for your mood?
LS: I really like a band called Metronome. There's a lot going on on my iTunes...yeah.
CJ: Have you seen the show Bad Girls Club that uses your song "Love Me Or Hate Me" as their theme song? What do you think of it?
LS: Yeah, I've seen it a few years ago, I watched a bit of it. I don't mind, it works.
CJ: What else have you got in store for the near future? Are you already thinking about the next album?
LS: Not necessarily, I've been meaning to get back into the studio and do some new stuff but things are getting a bit hectic right now. I can't take too long of a break though.
CJ: I like the video for "So Human", I just caught it the other night.
LS: Oh I reaaaaally hate the jacket I wore in the first scene. I didn't realize how awful it was until after the video was done. I was like, sh*t why did I wear that!
CJ: Well, hindsight is 20/20 so I guess the next video you'll choose something else.
LS: Yeah, I was tired, I was like, eff it, I'll wear this. So it was fine at the time but I kind of regret it now. But, whatever.
And with that, I bring you the hideous jacket, great song and otherwise sweet music video for "So Human":