Music, Style & Culture

First & Last: Rose Elinor Dougall

Rose tells about some of her Firsts and Lasts, in celebration of her debut solo album.

Ok, you might need to bear with us on this one - it's the first (First!) time we've carried out an interview of this type, and it might be interesting, or it might be a bit rubbish (we're hoping the former, OBVIOUSLY).

We sent Rose Elinor Dougall a few questions about the first and last time she did things (hence, 'First & Last'), in celebration of her debut solo album, 'Without Why', which has just come out.

Of course, when we say last, we really mean most recent - hopefully none of these will be the last ever time she does them...

Anyway. Here we go, then.

Thing you did today?
First: Ate some Grapes.
Last: Answered this interview.

Instrument you learnt to play?
First: Kazoo.
Last: The Spoons.

Time you played music live?
First: I played the wooden blocks in the Nativity Play in Primary school during "Little Donkey". I had to imitate the sound of the donkey's hooves, which I thought was quite a big responsibility.
Last: I was playing the piano yesterday at my boyfriends house, if that counts as live?

Song you wrote by yourself?
First: I can't remember the first one, but there is video evidence of me singing one of my own numbers, entitled 'Monsters in the Cup', which I penned when I was about 3, and is about putting brussel sprout peelings into a glass.
Last: I have a couple of songs half finished kicking around, the last thing I completed and recorded is called 'Grateful for Grey' and is the B-side to my next single.

Time you entered the recording studio?
First: First time was with my dad when I was about 15. It was in the this old house in Suffolk that Pink Floyd apparently used to record in, and my Dad was going there to see his friend Wes McGee to record some of his songs. I sat in on the session and at the end recorded a couple of my songs. I still have the recording, it's not actually as shit as it might have been…
Last: The last time was on Monday evening, I had to go and tidy up some vocals for a bonus track on Mark Ronson's record, but I can't talk about that too much!

Record that inspired you?
First: I remember hearing Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' coming up the stairs when I was young and falling in love with her voice and songs. Although the first music I was ever given was a 'Rock'n'Roll Hits from the 50s' compilation tape which I reckon must have made an impression, shortly followed by Kylie Minogue.
Last: Things that I have been impressed by lately are the new records by Fever Ray, Ariel Pink, Janelle Monae...

Musician you met?
First: The first I guess was my Dad.
Last: I met Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs the other week.

Gig you went to?
First: First was Divine Comedy at Brixton Academy when I was 12. It was during the Fin De Siecle tour and there was an orchestra.. I had never heard music so loud and was really annoyed I wasn't allowed to stand up and dance because we were sitting on the balcony.
Last: The last gig I went to was to see the Klaxons at Village Underground. They were ace, really ballsy and confident with their new material.

Trip abroad?
First: First to see my Great Grandmother in Dusseldorf, Germany when I was a baby.
Last: Last was Ibiza this weekend just passed, I had to do some promo stuff there, which was a little grim, but then stayed a couple of extra days on the other side of the island and had a beautiful time swimming in the sea and eating fish and being very quiet.

Musical collaboration?
First: First with my friend Robyn when I was about 7, we made up some songs.
Last: Have been doing lots of collaborative work with Mark Ronson lately, the last endeavour involved Spank Rock, Jamie Reynolds from the Klaxons, and Nick Rhodes weirdly.

'Grown up' thing you bought?
First: Some drain unblocker.
Last: A computer.

... and what will you be doing next?
Taking the dog out for a walk in the fields.