Culture Clash: Rumer

Award-winning songwriter discusses her extra-curricular activities...

Rumer has long been a fan of Burt Bacharach.

After all, he's one of pop's core figures, a songwriter who approached a blank page and left behind a rule book.

Invited to work with the songwriter at his West Coast home back in 2010, the two performed together two years later during a special events at the White House.

'This Girl's In Love: A Bacharach and David Songbook' is a new project from Rumer, exploring the songbook that means so much to her.

Due out on October 21st, it will be accompanied by Rumer's first live show in two years – a special event at Cadogan Hall on October 17th.

With that in mind, Clash asked Rumer about her extra-curricular activities for a special instalment of Culture Clash…

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Book
I just finished The Invention Of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd which is about two sisters who witness the cruelty of slavery as children in South Carolina but who grow up to become passionate abolitionists.

Film
When I was in LA I went to see a new documentary film called Billy Mize and The Bakersfield Sound, which is about a country singer songwriter who influenced so many artists and should have been a big star but he didn't want to tour and be away from his family. I'm really interested in American history, so it was really cool to hear about Californian country and how their sound developed after southerners migrated over during the dust bowl.

Album
I am in a writing phase right now when I don't tend to listen to much music with lyrics because I am trying to piece together the fragments of melody and lyric in my own imagination. Still when I do listen to music I tend to put on Miles Davis, in particular, 'In A Silent Way'. I never get tired of it.

TV Show
I really love Ray Donovan with Jon Voight and Liev Schrieber. It's really well written. The acting from every cast member is brilliant, the storytelling sophisticated and there is real depth to each of the characters.

Gadget
I was recently given a Breville sandwich toaster as a gift. Remember the toastie makers where you butter the outside of the bread? It takes me back to my 80's childhood…

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