As soon as Kate Nash announced a tour to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of ‘Made of Bricks’, we knew we had to be there. On 9th August, Kate performed the first of two shows at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, so we caught her backstage for an exclusive chat and shoot.

You’ve smashed your Kickstarter Campaign, were you expecting the support you’ve received?
I was nervous the whole way through, so nerve-wracking! I’m so excited to put out my fourth record, it’ll defo be out by February 2018!

Tell us about Glow, the new Netflix series you’re in…
Glow is sick, it’s so cool! I’m surrounded by amazing female energy, it’s so powerful, it’s really magical.

And what about your new video for ‘Call Me’?
Yeaaahhh, it was filmed where my mum works, Michael Sabel House Hospice. The song is about using what you’ve been through to help other people. My mum’s a nurse and has used her experience to help other people her whole life, and the patients support each other too. It’s a really special place to me. One of my friends died there. Also, people at the hospice wanted to change the perception of what people see a hospice as – it’s not a dark, horrible place but really bright, light and positive, and the patients get massages, meditation therapy, they socialise, there’s music and really good care and treatment. I met this amazing 94 year old woman and she whispered “come back” then winked at me when she walked away. She’s my idol.

Ten years – especially in the music industry – is such a long period, and yet Made of Bricks has stood the test of time. Are you surprised by the reaction of your fans?
I wanted to do something special. It’s crazy taking in that much love from the crowd. We’ve got through so many highs and lows together. I’ve done toilet tours to arenas, no one is solidly in one place ever, you have to be okay with that and work through the difficult time. It’s so nice to do a big joyous tour, it’s so overwhelming, the whole team’s just crying all the time cause its evoking so many memories. ‘Skeleton Song’ has been so emotional to play. My fans are the weirdos/outsiders/cool people that stand out, they all come together and are there for each other, it shows the true meaning of music.

You’re passionate about womens rights – do you think gender equality is becoming more prominent in the music industry?
There was a period of time where things got better, but now I feel like we’re in this low zone again behind the scenes, like yes there’s so many women in music, but it seems no one knows who they are, they’re not getting the exposure. Record labels are scared shitless of putting something out there that’s unique; they’re not willing to put themselves on the line to break the mould. Solo female artists can’t break through and they’re told to feature on dance tracks. I feel really passionate about it and encourage female artists to stay independent for as long as possible. The internet is so powerful now, it’s right at your fingertips and you can get that connection with people – fuck labels. I haven’t had any radio or label support for the past five years, and here I am doing two nights at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. It doesn’t matter because I’ve built such a strong connection with my fans.

What advice would you give to young female solo artists trying to break into the industry?
It’s brutal but I think artists need to see their power. Don’t work with people unless you feel their being innovative. I just don’t trust labels at the moment. I’m not saying I would never go back, it’s just it’d have to be with someone who was being really innovative.

You quote tonight’s venue – Shepherd’s Bush Empire – as your favourite. But is there anywhere you’d love to play in the world on this tour?
Australia & Japan so bad. I really want to go back.

If you could collaborate with anyone ever, who would it be?

Stevie Nicks, MIA, Dolly Parton & Cher obviously.

What’s the most important message you want to share with the world?
I’ve learnt loving yourself is the most important thing in the world. To try and sit comfortably with who you are is the most difficult and important thing to do in your lifetime. It’s the only thing worth striving for. We put out so much energy pining for things or people, getting abused, taking in shit and negative energy from people, we feed ourselves with the love we’re trying desperately to get from someone else and we obsess over other people. When I sing “Nicest Thing,” at the end I feel like you should be your own nicest thing, if you love yourself as much as you stalk/pine/obsess over someone else, you’ll be in such a good place.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
My fave food is avocado, I feel like I would meditate and eat avocados. I love eating healthily, it gives me life.

What is your FAULT?

I’m always late. I’m always 2 hours late for everything. Time doesn’t exist in my brain, I was the last kid in the class to learn the time. Time just doesn’t make sense to me.

Watch the video for ‘Call Me’ below, and find Kate on Instagram.

Words Lucy Holmes

Photography Charlotte Patmore