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Santigold may have claimed the spotlight after the release of her self-titled debut album in 2008, but it will be this year, with the release of her newest effort, Master of My Make Believe, that the Brooklyn artist will really get her due. In an exclusive interview with Myspace, Santigold not only reveals her songwriting practices but also waxes poetic on the idea of songwriting in general. That is, what is it about music that compels us as a listener?
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Santigold, formerly known as Santogold and born Santi White, has certainly had her share of songwriting experience. The artist was previously the singer of Philadelphia punk rock band Stiffed, which released two albums in 2003 and 2005, and her aforementioned solo debut, Santogold, was released in April 2008, featuring production by John Hill, Diplo and Switch. The singer has toured with M.I.A., Coldplay, Bjork and Beastie Boys, and performed at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. She has also made guest appearances on numerous tracks by other musicians, including numbers on Christina Aguilera’s Bionic and Beastie Boys’ Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.
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But while Santigold’s history speaks for itself, particularly as she releases her eclectic and impassioned new album, we wanted to know what really drives this musician. What is underneath the music? And, what is beyond it? Santigold tells Myspace about her background as a musician and what drives her to create, but also discusses the other aspects of being a performer. For instance, how does she come up with the dance moves she and her dancers execute onstage every night?
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We won’t fully spoil it for you (watch the full interview above) but we will say that Santigold balances her thoughtful introspection with a serious potty mouth. And all the better – we wouldn’t want to feel too badly about ourselves for not being both this talented and this self-possessed.
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For more from Santigold head to her Myspace Radio channel here.