It's okay if you don't know who Robyn is — after all, she hasn't released a record in the UK for eight years. She's going to, though, and luckily it's brilliant…
Robyn had a few hits in 1998. She was even popular in America, but then she fucked off back to Sweden and since then has kept a lot of very good records far away from the British charts.
However, she has now decided that the time is right to start releasing records outside of Stockholm once again, although at the moment she seems to have other things on her mind.
Household chores, for example. Who's the caller on line one?
Questions: Peter Robinson
Answers: Robyn (obviously)
Hello Robyn. What is that racket in the background?
I'm in my kitchen. I'm sorry if my washing machine is making a loud noise.
Is it a heavy load?
Hmmm. What did I put in there? I think it is my underwear and stuff, all my whites.
But people would like you to do more than sit around scrubbing your pants. Are you aware that people are literally sat at the door of the internet waiting for you to release something?
I am now, I have just set up this 'MySpace' thing and all sorts of people are coming there and talking to me and saying they have listened to the album for a long time and it's really cool.
What on earth has taken you so long to release something?
Well, I made the album and started my own record company, and that took a bit of time as I'm sure you can imagine. I didn't just want to go to any old place and have just anyone release it. I wanted it to be right, with people I could work with and trust.
Well, that's you, now, seeing as you're running your own label…
It is. I guess I didn't want to compromise because I made the record by myself and I wanted to make sure that when it was released it wasn't released in just any old way. My management now are really friendly and they let me decide what I do.
Such as when you go out and release records, and when you stay at home and sort out your washing.
Yes, exactly. They understand what is important and when that's doing my washing, that's kinda nice.
You can't have been just doing washing for the past eight years though.
For me it was hard to work with a major label outside of Sweden because I'm here and I have a real strong base here. When I went outside of Sweden (laughs a lot at something clearly hilarious) people wouldn't do what I told them, so I got pissed off and came home. The music industry is a difficult place but I never look at myself as a victim of the industry. It was great that I was able to record this album and I am very glad I am able to release this record and not the one I did before.
Was that record rubbish?
It just didn't sound like me, it was a compromise I think. A lot of it was a compromise.
How are things going with the wash? Has it spun yet?
It already spun – is that how you say it in English?
So the door is unlocked!
No, the door is still locked, I have to open it. It is resting there and I will do it when we are finished here.
Are you worried that when you come over to the UK the press will want to go through your metaphorical dirty washing?
I'm just going to tell them, you know, they can read my CV and learn everything about me they need. I have the world high score on Tetris and that I invented the cure for AIDS and I did all these things, so everything they will want to know is there.
Let's end this by mentioning Dame Beverley Knight. How did you rate her cover of 'Keep This Fire Burning'?
I think my version is better. I think she did a great job but I prefer mine.
Good. Any other business Robyn?
I think you've covered everything apart from the most important thing – that the EP is out on the 20th November and also I don't mean to diss Beverley Knight but I always think I am better than everyone else.
Thank you Robyn, you may hang up your washing now.
Thank you Popjustice!
- Robyn emailed us after the interview to make sure we realized that she had not in fact developed a cure for AIDS. This also throws her 'Tetris' claims into some serious doubt.
- She will be doing some live shows in the UK at the start of 2007.
- The 'Be Mine video is very good.
- The first 'proper' single from Robyn in EIGHT YEARS is going to be 'Konichiwa Bitches', as well as being the lead track on the EP.