Angela McCluskey's latest solo album 'St. Bernadette' (previewed late July) features lead single 'Let's Get Lost', prominently featured in the trailer for upcoming movie She's Funny That Way (starring Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston). Clash sat down with the Scottish/American chanteuse to talk Kendrick Lamar, a Lily Allen family connection and some legitimately weighty beef with Azealia Banks…
"Our management tried to find out who was looking after Azealia, but she was going through that period where she was having grief with everybody!"
Having penned a number one, Grammy-nominated song with french trio Telepopmusik ('Breathe' – you'll have heard it on adverts), and been a fixture on the Los Angeles scene since signing with Geffen records way back in the 90s, Angela McCluskey isn't about to take shit from anyone.
"That 'Brand New & Expensive' album of hers, or whatever it was called, drops and there was a song on it called 'Ice Princess'. It's basically the exact song she sent to me at demo stage! It's like her [Banks] standing singing in the mirror and she's using all my backing vocals. I'm still singing all the time, the chorus everything though behind her! I was kinda like this is a bit weird you know. I am singing all the way through but there is no mention of me or accreditation? Normally if somebody only sings three lines they get a feature credit – let alone on my own actual song!"
So I was being kinda nice and then I realised she wasn't with Interscope anymore either and that she actually hadn't got any permission at all! This has happened to me three times now though, it happened with Ludacris as well."
Ludicrous.
"I remember at one point she was even starting grief with Lily Allen who is my God-daughter! So then I was caught in two minds. I was like shall I just pull it and be totally evil? But I mean.. she's cool and everything – but all of them, they just open their mouths and just say whatever comes out!"
"I don't care. I was angry about it for 10 minutes but I don't really care. She is getting interviewed all the time and mentioning 'Ice Princess' – she could throw me a bit of fucking credit you know! That is my melody, my words and you're all loving it because of that… it's kinda mean!"
Consider yourself on notice, Banks. McCluskey also scored an major win by having an ascendent Kendrick Lamar feature on one of her tracks. Well, we say 'feature'….
"He wasn't well know then and so he was just kinda finding his feet and what happened is, he found this song and instead of calling us up and saying would you mind- he just took the song! Changed the title and sang all over it!"
"Télépopmusik were with Universal and they were basically trying to sue him, and were like what are you doing! I said this guy is going to be massive, I swear to God… and I said it's a mix tape, he's not selling it! But you know, if we wanted to we could of sued his arse off, because he literally called it a different name, but i wouldn't do that to him."
Her completed – and rather wonderful – 'St. Bernadette' album is ready to go. However, without major label backing, could she be planning to break the mould yet again and self-release?
"My last solo record was on Blue Note and at the time it was one of those experiences where I was thinking, you know, I've been spoiled! I am always used to having a big label for everything I have done. But I'm kinda good at staying under the radar because I've never particularly wanted to be famous. I'm a bit like Sia without the fringes or whatever, i'll just wear a big giant wig! So I always liked to do things underneath and I joined Bluenote rather than the obvious Warner Brothers deal for my solo record. I loved the album and it did really well, but it was one of those things that kept coming out."
She's got a lot of reasons to feel chuffed with herself, and it's a delight to meet someone so self-confident in themselves at this stage of their career. Did we mention she's toured extensively with big-top acts as diverse as The Kinks and Cindi Lauper?
"I've done everything I wanted to do, without having to lick anyones arse. It's a really hard thing and its getting worse and worse now because of the way you have to look. I feel like you have to look like a porn star and I don't want those fish lips!"
But when all's said and done, the business is still the business. "I need to do a Britney, unless some of you lovely readers buy this record! You will start having sex again I promise!"
Words: Andy Hill
Photography: Harry Cresswell
