Over The Moon

Naimee Coleman is perhaps best known for her vocals on Aurora’s dance version of Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World’. But rather than cash in on the dance diva angle, Naimee’s brand new album Bring Down The Moon shows a softer, more balladic side to the singer.

“I know people might have expected me to go down the dance route, but although I really enjoyed working with Aurora, dance music isn’t where I’m coming from," Naimee explains.

The new album is a lushly-produced sparkling package of delicate love songs and sweet sentiments, containing low-key beats and samples provided by Graham Bolger. Produced by Ian Stanley, former keyboard-player with Tears For Fears and co-writer of their hits ‘Shout’ and ‘Everybody Wants To rule The World’, the album also features co-writing credits for Phil Thornally, responsible for Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Torn’ and Boo Hewerdine from cult ’80s band The Bible.

The first single ‘My Star’ has been remixed by Tin Tin Out and the album also contains an evanescent cover of the Cure’s ‘Love Song’ and the poppiest track (among a lot of extraordinarily poppy tracks) is the very pretty ‘Sugar Me’ (co-written by Phil Thornally).

It’s a very romantic album, and listening to it, one would think Naimee Coleman was all sweetness and light. Is this the case?

"It is very loved up," she admits with a smile, "but sonically, there are a lot of different moods. Yes, it definitely reflects my personality and mood at the time of writing it. Lyrically, it’s very honest, and not at all contrived. My songs are written with commercial aspects in mind, but without compromising myself, or doing anything I’m really happy about."

One song ‘Misunderstood’, refers to people who feel the need to be angst-ridden. Is it something Naimee has experienced?

"Most people go through phases of being like that, and grow out of it, sort of like, the teenager writing bad poetry alone in their room. The song was actually a collaboration with Daragh O’Toole. It was his idea – just think how terrible it can be to not be misunderstood at times."

How did Naimee come to have a successful debut album Silver Wrists at the tender age of nineteen?

"I had piano lessons and sang in choirs from a young age. Then I started writing songs and had my first go at recording them when I was fourteen - my friend’s brother had a recording studio in Temple Bar. I was really lucky, I just fell into performing. I was at the Baggot Inn to see an unplugged gig when someone pulled out at the last minute. My friend Mark Dignam suggested that I stand in and sing, so my first gig was totally accidental. But it was also a huge buzz."

Following that early push, Naimee became a backing singer with the Wilde Oscars, while still at school and doing her Leaving Cert.

"I won a radio song competition when I was seventeen, and was offered a few recording deals. I turned them down to finish school, and then later went back to EMI looking for my deal. Luckily, they took me back with open arms," she laughs.

Silver Wrists did very well here, and sold over 50,000 copies in Japan.

"When I went to Japan, I remember walking into a hotel lobby and finding all these fans waiting to see me and get autographs. I presumed they were there for someone else. They people are very intense and passionate about music."

It hasn’t all come easy.

"I suffered writer’s block for about seven months, which is very scary when it’s your entire livelihood. Maybe I was too happy! Tragedy and turmoil can help to inspire songs, even though most of my songs aren’t particularly negative."

Naimee cites Ani di Franco, the Beastie Boys and Air among her favourite artists.

"The market is kind of oversaturated with teeny pop at the moment, and I’m not competing with that. Then again, I’m not trying to be cool or credible. I’ve no idea who my target audience is, if somebody picks up on my music and likes it, that’s good enough for me. I’m not competitive - if you take that attitude you’re doomed to failure because you’re not doing it for yourself, or to feed your art. My driving force is not huge success, but I want to do a good job and be proud of that when my head hits the pillow at the end of the day."

Bring Down The Moon by Naimee Coleman is out on 22nd June on EMI.