Mark Ronson's chart conquest - page 2

26-01-2008 08:15

The star has also casually revealed his childhood best friend was Sean Lennon, son of late Beatles legend John Lennon, while he grew up just doors away from "Paul and Linda" - as in Sir Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda.

Mark's mother Ann cements his musical pedigree, revealing: "When Mark was just two, The Who's Keith Moon taught him to play drums on some stash boxes at our London apartment."

Despite his musical connections, Mark's debut album - the hip-hop influenced 'Here Comes the Fuzz' - failed to make an impact.

He decided to revisit his British roots for his second assault on the charts, and looked to indie rockers like Coldplay, Radiohead and Kaiser Chiefs for inspiration. The gamble of experimenting with soul, pop, rock and dance and asking his music star pals to lend their vocals paid off. 'Version' produced three top 10 UK singles and was certified as a double platinum seller. "It was really organic. I didn't have the money to go after people. Working with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen was just a happy accident," he insists modestly.

Mark is now buzzing with plans for further world domination this year.

He is busily producing Daniel Merriweather's new album - the voice behind the soulful 'Stop Me', along with re-releasing his cover of Radiohead's 'Just' and also finding time to work on his third album.

Mark is currently brainstorming a storming performance for the BRIT Awards next month, and remains hopeful troubled Amy will join him on stage.

Here, Mark talks about his rumoured romance with Amy, dealing with fame, awards ceremonies and that photograph of him holding a "suspicious white package".

Q: Congratulations on your three BRIT nominations. Was it a surprise to hear you had been nominated?

A: Yes it was. I have lived in America for a long time and then I came back to Britain only in the past three or four years and I reconnected here with my roots both musically and otherwise. To be acknowledged as a British artist is the biggest part of that. It is only for British artists, apart from a few international awards. So it is a really cool thing to be a part of.

I am not being falsely modest, it's always good to have your work recognised.

Winning the Best British Album would be amazing. I would love to take that one home with me.

Q: Would you rather win a BRIT or a Grammy?

A: I think the Grammys are a bit like the international industry standard for achievement. But there is something about the BRITs. There is more of a camaraderie - it's like people are saying this artist is one of our own. It is very special.

Q: Is it true you are going to strip naked on stage if you win a BRIT?

A: No of course not! I should stop saying these stupid things. I get bored of talking about the same things, so I make stuff up. My girlfriend and her parents heard and was said, 'Why do you say stupid things? You know they are going to print that so why would you say that?'

I am just an idiot.

Q: Are you planning to perform at the BRITs?

A: Yes we are definitely performing. We are going to try and fit a few songs into five minutes. Do as many as we can. I will have the pleasure of Adele and Daniel Merriweather joining me on stage.

I'm not sure if Amy will be performing 'Valerie'. That would be a dream come true for me. But there is all this political stuff that goes on between different record labels. I can't say for sure yet.

Q: You are spending a lot of time with Amy at the moment. Are you working on new material?

A: We are not really working on anything. We are just good friends. We haven't been out together in a really long time so we are just trying to catch up. She played me some of her new song. I have been hanging out with her at her house.

Our friendship has been turned into a sordid affair, a romp at the K West Hotel. There is nothing going on romantically with us. Definitely not.

Q: Were you surprised she wasn't nominated for a BRIT this year?

A: Well she was for Best British Single, for 'Valerie'. I guess she got so many nominations last year and I think you can't get them for the same album two years running. She could maybe have got a nomination for Best British Single for 'Back to Black'. But she won Best British Female Solo Artist last year, so I don't know if it is fair to win that award two years in a row. I mean, she is still the best British female - it doesn't matter what year it is.

Q: Who did you prefer working with - Lily Allen or Amy Winehouse?

A: I can't say really. I don't know. I liked working with Lily and Amy for different reasons. They are both very talented artists.

Q: You have also worked with Robbie Williams. Did you enjoy it?

A: He was amazing to work with. He has an incredible sense of humour, the sharpest wit I have ever worked with. Robbie really made me laugh. It was weird because I was laughing with this really, really famous guy. He was incredibly down to earth.

I went to his house in Los Angeles recently and I heard some songs from his new album. They are really amazing. But we haven't made any plans to work together again.

Q: Why did you decide to become a producer?

A: I used to play in bands and I got a bit sick of it. I was really into hip-hop and the definition of a producer in hip-hop is the guy who makes the beats. So I wanted to revert back to the classic, old school definition of the word producer - the guy who sits in the studio and sorts out the arrangements. Like Quincy Jones.

Q: How has your life changed in the past year?

A: I have been travelling non-stop and it has been amazing to do shows. That is the great thing about the album doing well, I get to perform live all over the world with amazing bands and singers. It does get a little bit tiring.

I don't feel any different though. I am still the same person.

I love being in the UK. But my girlfriend and my dog live in New York, so I really miss them and I go back there a lot to see them.

Q: Is it hard having a long-distance relationship?

A: Yes it is very hard. But I spend at least half of my free time with her in the US. But I still miss her. It is difficult being away all the time.

Q: You were photographed taking a suspicious white package out of your wallet recently. What was it?

A: There was no white thing in my wallet! It is so dodgy how they have made it look. When you look at it you can see it is a £20 note. Look carefully and you can see the Queen's head. It is obvious I have just walked out of a deli and I am holding a bottle of Coca-Cola. I had the change folded up. I don't know why people are saying it was anything else.

It's so funny because my dad, who partied quite a bit in the 70s and 80s, wanted to know what was going on. I was like, 'Dad come on. Would I be that stupid to walk around with something like that in my hand?'

He said, 'Yeah, that's true. It could have been anything.' It has all been just blown out of proportion. It is a bit annoying but I am just going to leave it alone now.

Q: What was it like DJing at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' wedding?

A: It was boring. No it wasn't, I'm joking. It was great. I have answered this question so many times that I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Q: Do you enjoy the fame side of being a successful musician?

A: Not really. I don't think it is anything to get excited about. I didn't get into music for that side. If I wanted to be famous I wouldn't have become a producer.

I have picked the last role in music that you don't need to have any fame to do. I am more interested in music than being famous.

It is cool to go to parties and premieres. I went to the 'Sweeney Todd...' premiere in London and that was fun. I didn't get to meet Johnny Depp though.

Q: You have twin sisters - are you protective over them?

A: I have lots of sisters. I have four sisters and five brothers. I am protective over all of them. I love them and of course I care about each one.

Q: Your sister Samantha is friendly with Lindsay Lohan. Would you consider producing Lindsay's new album?

A: Samantha and Lindsay are good friends. I wouldn't produce her album. I don't know, I am more interested in working with musicians and groups of singers. Not to take anything away from her. I am sure she will make a good record. But it's not my thing.

Q: If you could work with anyone who would it be?

A: Britney Spears! No, I'm just kidding. I have never met her. I don't know, I have already worked with so many talented people. It's not like I have a lack of inspiring people to surround myself with.

Q: What are you working on this year?

A: I am just finishing up producing Daniel Merriweather's album. I also produced a song for Adele's new album.

I worked with Mary J. Blige too. It was so weird though, it was very 21st century - I didn't even get to meet her. I just spoke to her on the phone. She was in a mad rush to finish her album, so she did the vocals in Los Angeles and sent them to me.

I am also working with an American singer called Richard Swift.

I will hopefully get to work with a band called The Rumble Strips. They are touring with us so fingers crossed we can record something together.

Q: A lot of critics have tipped Adele for big things. How do you rate her?

A: I put her album on recently and I just expected to listen to it once - have it on as background music while I was doing something. I was watching TV with my dad and my little brother and sister and everyone was frozen in their chair. It was mesmerising.

I hope she does really well. She is only 19. To be that young and to have people heap that praise on you is difficult. But whatever happens, I hope fame isn't a disappointment for her. I think she is amazing and has an incredible voice. She is going to do really well.

Q: Why did you decide to release a cover of Radiohead's 'Just' again?

A: Because I just wanted to milk it and milk it! It is the first song that I did and inspired the concept of 'Version'. It gave me the whole idea of doing cover versions of indie records. It came out on a small indie label as part of a Radiohead covers compilation. But this time it is on my album and it has been remixed.

Q: Are you proud of your new album?

A: Absolutely. I have worked with DJ Premier and The Go! Team and Tim Goldsworthy from DFA Records. So yes I am very proud of the new album.

I hope it will do well.

By Lucy O'Loughlin