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73 Questions With Lorde: Fame, Childhood Dreams, and Her New Album

Lorde always knew she wanted to be a solo artist, but that doesn't mean there weren't surprises in store for her about fame.

Interviewer: Joe Sabia
Director: Jams x Bash
DP: Shannon Palmer
Editor: Evan Allen
Producer: Jordin Rocchi, Gabriela Tamariz
Color: Oliver Eid
Post Sound: Nick Cipriano at BANG Audio Post
Filmed on Location: New York Botanical Garden

Released on 07/26/2021

Transcript

[wind blows] [birds chirping]

[Interviewer] Hey, Lorde. Hi.

[Interviewer] So why don't we explain

why we're in the Bronx

at the New York Botanical Garden today?

We're answering 73 questions.

[Interviewer] Yes we are.

And first question,

where is your favorite place to perform in New York?

I like the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

[Interviewer] That's a great theater.

And what does New York do better than any city,

not just in the USA, but the entire world?

Treat them mean, keep them keen.

[Interviewer] And when you're traveling

and far away from home,

what do you miss about New Zealand?

Literally, every single thing,

but mostly the beaches and parks and the food.

[Interviewer] I can imagine.

And speaking of home,

I heard you have a favorite song

that your dad used to sing as a lullaby when you were a kid,

what song is that?

Moonshadow by Cat Stevens.

[Interviewer] That's a good one.

What was the job you wanted to do

when you were five years old?

I loved The Far Side by Gary Larson

and I wanted to be a cartoonist,

which is crazy because I'm not funny.

[Interviewer] For some reason,

I'm having a hard time believing that.

[Lorde chuckles]

So what was the first song you loved to sing?

The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

[Interviewer] And did you always know

that you wanted to be a solo artist?

I did.

[Interviewer] What surprised you the most

about pop stardom?

That's right when you can afford

to buy anything you want,

you get given everything for free.

And it doesn't make any sense,

don't give us free stuff. [chuckles]

[Interviewer] Sounds pretty good.

This is so beautiful.

[Interviewer] It's gorgeous here,

[Interviewer] Wow! I know.

So when did you realize that Royals

was gonna be such a big hit?

[clicks tongue] The first weekend we put it out,

I went on the SoundCloud

and all these people who I didn't know

were listening to it,

and I think I realized

this is bigger than just me and my friends.

[Interviewer] It was a lot bigger

than just you and your friends.

And what was it like the first time

that you heard it on the radio?

[clicks tongue] Well, I was in my parents' living room,

my sister had called the radio station to request it

and I felt very proud, but very shy. [laughs]

[Interviewer] You have a lot to be proud of.

And what emotion is central to Pure Heroin?

[clicks tongue] Teen Angst.

[Interviewer] How about Melodrama?

Ecstasy.

[Interviewer] And you went from writing about we

on your first album

to I on your second,

why was that change so important to you?

The first time it was so [clicks tongue] sort of communal,

it was about me and my peers.

The second one was really just

about my experience.

[Interviewer] What's your favorite song to perform

from Melodrama?

Greenlight.

[Interviewer] And what sample on the album

still makes you smile?

There's a tiger's roar that we heard in Sober,

but I also love Paul Simon saying,

What is this tape?

This is my favorite tape.

[Interviewer] So, Lorde, you have synesthesia?

Yep.

[Interviewer] So what color is Pure Heroine?

Green.

What color is Melodrama?

Violet.

What color is Solar Power?

Gold.

[Interviewer] Let's keep moving.

It's a beautiful day, we've got so much to see.

What is one word you would use

to describe the new record?

[clicks tongue] Reverent.

[Interviewer] And what is one word you would use

to describe making the record?

This is so cool, it's so

[Interviewer] I know, it's gorgeous.

Zany, acidy.

The word I would use to describe making it,

[clicks tongue] calm.

[Interviewer] And one awesome detail

is that there cicada sounds on the single.

Are we gonna hear a lot of cicadas

throughout the whole record?

You actually will.

I started recording cicadas a couple of years ago

in New Zealand.

They really sound like a New Zealand summer to me

but I didn't know about Brood X at the time

so [clicks tongue] I'm ahead of the trend.

[both chuckles]

[Interviewer] So what would the videos for Solar Power

add to the whole record?

They helped to build the universe.

[Interviewer] And speaking of videos,

I struggled a bit on Google Maps,

but are there any hints on where we can find

that secret beach that you filmed on?

No.

[Interviewer] I thought I'd try.

[Lorde chuckles] All right, so you chose

the Collina Strada set

for your Solar Power video.

Why did you pick that?

I thought it was youthful, but cool and timeless

and I knew I wanted to wear yellow.

[Interviewer] I mean, I think a lot of people

wanted to wear yellow

because it's sold out after the video was premiered.

I heard about that.

[Interviewer] It's crazy.

And what do you hope those people do with their summers?

Make out. [laughs]

[Interviewer] Lorde has spoken.

How has your style changed since Pure Heroin dropped?

I would say I wear less black,

although I am wearing black today.

[Interviewer] Can you describe your style?

Half black. [Interviewer chuckles]

[Interviewer] Can you describe your style today

in three words?

[clicks tongue] Meticulous construction, sandals.

[Interviewer] Okay, that's a unique.

[Lorde chuckles]

And what item of clothing do you always have on hand?

Sandals.

[Interviewer] And what's singer, living or dead,

has the best style?

David Bowie.

[Interviewer] That's a good answer.

Now, what item of clothing

would you say makes you feel most confident

when you're taking the stage?

Pants.

[Interviewer] And what about in real life?

Suits.

[Interviewer] What was the first song that made you cry?

Perfect Day by Lou Reed.

I've never felt anything like that before.

[Interviewer] Mmm. Every time I think of that song,

I think of drinking sangria in a park.

Yeah.

[Interviewer] And who is the first musician you met

that left you totally star-struck?

Honestly, Taylor.

[Interviewer] No surprise. [Lorde chuckles]

And what album have you listened to

the most this year?

I've spent a lot of time with Abbey Road.

It's a good one.

[Interviewer] Abbey Road is are really, really good one.

And what is the album that you understand

on a different level now

versus when you were just 15 years old?

[sigh] I've thought about this

and I feel like I had a pretty good handle

on everything I liked when I was 15,

but I'll keep thinking about it.

[Interviewer] Okay.

And Graceland was a major influence on Melodrama, right?

Yeah.

[Interviewer] And what was your favorite song

off of that album?

I mean, Graceland or Homeless.

[Interviewer] Now, people were surprised

that Don Henley also was an inspiration for you.

Who is an artist reference on Solar Power

that might surprise them?

Natalie Imbruglia.

[Interviewer] Yeah, interesting.

And what is the best concert you've ever been to?

I wanna say Arcade Fire at Coachella.

I was 17 and I was in the crowd

and I'd never seen anything like it.

It was incredible.

[Interviewer] They're tremendous performers.

Very good.

[Interviewer] And what is the song

that you wish you'd written?

Graceland.

[Interviewer] Who's an artist

that you're dying to collaborate with?

I kinda wanna talk to Harry Styles.

[Interviewer] I do too. [laughs]

And what is the best album cover of all time?

All Things Must Pass.

[Interviewer] What's the most important thing

that you've learned about producing your own music?

To always trust my instincts

because they're always right.

[Interviewer] Now, speaking of producers,

what's the best advice that you've ever gotten

from Jack Antonoff?

Once he said to me, Don't let me ruin your life

more than I already have. [laughs]

[Interviewer] Now, that is valuable.

Isn't that? [laughs]

[Interviewer] And what's the one rule

of pop music that you never ever break?

I don't know if there's any that I would never break,

but kind of a personal rule is,

if I'm not feeling that special alchemy

[Interviewer] when I write a part, Yeah.

it's gotta go.

Even if it's right on paper, it's gotta go.

[Interviewer] Right. Right.

And what do you think your fans would see

as the most surprising thing that you bring with you

when you're on tour?

Expensive shades. [Interviewer chuckles]

[Interviewer] And when were you most vulnerable on stage?

Oh my God. I had this really bad chest infection

on tour in Europe once.

I was in Oslo, the Norwegian royal family were there

and I couldn't breathe

and I started to panic.

I just felt so kind of broken and raw.

It was really tough.

[Interviewer] Yeah, but you got through it.

I got through it. So here. [laughs]

[Interviewer] You are. Throat infection's gone.

[Interviewer] [laughs] That's right.

And how do you get ready

for a big or important performance?

I light a candle and I like to try

and set an intention,

think about what I wanna get out of the show.

[Interviewer] Right. Right.

And what song are you most excited

to dance to off of your new record?

California.

[Interviewer] I can't wait to hear that,

as well as every other song on the album.

Thank you.

[Interviewer] What did you learn about Pure Heroin

while touring?

That I had made an album that it was

sort of tricky to dance to.

[Interviewer] And what about Melodrama?

That I had made an album that

it was really easy to dance to.

[Interviewer] [laughs] Good observation.

Now, recently I heard that you stopped,

you decided to stop releasing music on CD.

[Interviewer] Yes. Now, why was

that something that was important to you?

Because everything that I make physically,

I want it to be something that I would have in my house

and I don't have any CDs in my house.

[Interviewer] That makes sense.

And what is something that you do

to connect with nature every day?

I go for a big walk.

I pretty much do the spot.

I don't look like this and it's not always this pretty.

[Interviewer] I find it so cool

that you took a trip to Antarctica.

What was the most important thing

that you learned on that trip?

It's honestly kind of hard to put into words,

but I feel like I got more of an understanding

of the work that the scientists are doing there.

They're not trying to prove climate change,

they're just checking out the science,

taking the measurements, observing

and telling us what's up.

[Interviewer] Yeah.

And also just the raw power of nature.

[Interviewer] Well, it seems absolutely beautiful.

And what is a cause that you're most passionate about today?

Things that affect New Zealanders.

I think about child poverty,

bettering the systems that protect marty

and our climate legislation.

[Interviewer] Yeah. That's really cool.

This is such a dope flower.

Absolutely love.

[Interviewer] Don't mind. I don't know

what flower that is, [Lorde chuckles]

but who is your favorite living artist?

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.

[Interviewer] And what's your favorite piece

of art in your home?

My Kaye Donachie painting.

[Interviewer] All right.

And your mother's a writer, right?

Mm hmm.

[Interviewer] How would you say that this impacted you

and what did this teach you about writing?

Just that it's a practice.

It's something you have to do

over and over to keep being in touch with.

[Interviewer] Now, speaking of your mom,

I heard that she holds on to all your memorabilia

from your tours.

Is that true?

Literally everything. It's all in our garage.

[Interviewer laughs]

[Interviewer] Now do you know what you're gonna do

with all of it one day or?

[Interviewer] I have no idea. No.

[both laugh]

[Interviewer] Good luck.

Now, which friend of yours makes you laugh the most?

My friend Francisco.

[Interviewer] And which friend would make

the best fishing partner?

My dad.

[Interviewer] Now, why would you say it's important

for you to hibernate in between creating records?

Well, I just have to go and live my life

so that I have stuff to write about.

So it's just sort of mooching and taking time.

[Interviewer] And what's your favorite thing to do

while you're hibernating?

I like to cook and I like to be very available

for my friends and family,

because I missed a lot of birthdays when I'm working.

[Interviewer] That is a very, very good answer.

Gotta do it.

[Interviewer] Now you described your work

as being a conversation with yourself.

Are you ever surprised when it resonates

with so many other people?

Constantly. It's insane.

[Interviewer] Yeah. It means a lot to them.

And what do you hope stays the same

in your work as you grow as an artist?

That it's still just me [sirens blaring]

trying to one up myself.

Hear this sirens? New York City? [chuckles]

[Interviewer] I noticed the sirens.

It's like Grand Theft Auto over here.

Aisle seat or window seat?

Window.

[Interviewer] New York or Los Angeles?

New York.

[Interviewer] New Zealand summer or American summer?

New Zealand.

[Interviewer] Restaurant or room service?

Restaurant.

[Interviewer] Fleetwood Mac with or without Peter Green.

Great question.

I'm gonna say without, but with is also [clicks tongue]

[Interviewer] incredible. I'm hoping for

a reunion tour and last question,

question number 73, sunrise or sunset?

Sunset.

[Interviewer] And that's a wrap.

Thank you so much- Hey.

Can I ask you a question before you go?

[Interviewer] Absolutely.

This is kind of a little weird,

but I always wondered what the person

doing this was seeing when they're doing this.

[Interviewer laughs] Can we show them

what I'm seeing? Is that okay?

[Interviewer] Yeah, I think Okay.

it's fine but,

how about we keep this thing

a secret between you and me?

[laughs]

All right, Lorde.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

Okay, bye bye.

Bye.