Jake Shears talks his post-Scissor Sisters solo album and more...

The last time I met Jake Shears, in 2005, the then Scissor Sisters lead singer was resplendent in a pair of arseless leather chaps, a '70s-style floral blouse that wouldn't have looked out of place in Hyacinth Bouquet's wardrobe and shoes, I seem to recall, of the faux snakeskin variety. There were multiple costume changes as Jake and his equally flamboyant New York glam pop bandmates sent the whole of Lansdowne Road home sweating.

"The trouble with the Scissor Sisters was that I was never able to express myself," deadpans Shears who's added a luxuriant porn star mustache to a look that if anything has been toned up since going solo and releasing an eponymous album that's been on 'repeat' in Staley Clark Mansions.

"You're bringing back some great memories," he resumes with a smile. "We did two massive outdoor shows in Belfast and Dublin with Franz Ferdinand, none of whose arses were on display but that didn't stop them getting the whole crowd up dancing too. What I loved about Scissor Sisters is that having announced ourselves with a discofied cover of 'Comfortably Numb', people were like, 'Are these guys pop or rock or being really arch and indie?' We were able to flit between all these different musical worlds."

Whether entering into local LGBGTQ folklore with their sweatabulous show in East London's Fabric nightclub or opening for U2 on the Vertigo tour, Scissor Sisters never short-changed live with Elton John, Lady Gaga, Kylie, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and Josh Homme (more of whom anon) among those spotted in the VIP seats.

"Some of the guest-lists back then were crazy!" Jake acknowledges. "'Oh, Elton's in tonight... no pressure!'"

It looked like they were in it for the long haul but, in 2012, Scissor Sisters announced they were going on a temporary hiatus that turned out to be permanent. For Shears, pop life had become just a little too fast.

"At the height of the Scissor Sisters' success, I was doing an insane amount of stuff, and thinking it wasn't enough," he explains. "There was always one more interview or other promotional thing you could do, and I was awful at saying 'no' because I thought that was being unprofessional or ungrateful because, hey, these guys had helped us get a number one record. Our label, Polydor, were really good to us but they've shareholders and wanted another hit when there wasn't necessarily another hit in us.

"It was a lot of pressure and I ended up getting dangerously depressed. I had to back off and start being nice to myself. I also got a good therapist on speed dial. It can take two, three or four tries to find the right person - it's like any other relationship in that way - but having a really good therapist who can give you perspective is so important.

"I was fortunate enough to have a financial cushion, so I was able to cut out the things that weren't making me happy and have some quality 'me' time. You have to be good to yourself."

No longer getting the same buzz from New York that he did when he arrived there in 1998 from Kentucky, Jake relocated to first Los Angeles and then New Orleans, which he's now proud to call home.

"It's a magical place unlike anywhere else in the world," he purrs. "New Orleans is where I want to grow old. It's called the 'Big Easy' for a reason. I get off the plane there and the weight of the world immediately slips from my shoulders. And the music... I was privileged to attend Alain Toussaint's funeral, which on one hand was very sad and on the other a riotous celebration of this genius, genius man with the Preservation Jazz Band, Irma Thomas, Phil Neville and Dr. John, who's another hero of mine, all performing in his honour. Even though I'm totally shattered from being out on the road, I've never felt as happy as I am right now."

N'awlins co-stars alongside Josh Homme in the iPhone video for album standout, 'Big Bushy Mustache'.

"Queens Of The Stone Age were in town that night - I got up on stage with them, which was fun - and Josh is one of my best friends, so I had an extra who didn't need paying," Jake laughs. "We shot it guerilla-style running round my neighbourhood with the locals joining in."

"No one was waiting for this album," he continues, "which meant I had time and total freedom making it. It's a higher risk, but I love being in charge of everything."

Jake Shears is out now.