Interview with Lily Allen
‘Fuck You’ has a strong message for both George Bush (although out of date) and the BNP (sadly not so) but wouldn’t that have been better served by a song that could actually get played on the radio?
Well you say that but it’s doing massively well on college radio in America: it’s huge there. It gets played in Australia too. A lot of countries don’t mind you swearing on the radio: they certainly don’t here (in Ireland). I did a show earlier today [Tony Fenton’s Today FM show] and they let me do the fucks in ‘The Fear’. I feel a bit bad about it sometimes, but in the end I just write records that I want to write and if kids hear bad words in them, it’s not really my issue.
We’ve done a barnyard animal remix of ‘Fuck You’ for British radio. I did a show with Annie Mac and not only was the swearing monitored but also the content of what you were saying had to be politically correct. Everything on the BBC and other stations has to be very sterile, apart from Channel 4 which went off on a tangent. They really went for it, you’d turn on and it would be ‘fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, shit, shit…’ I just don’t see the point in that either. It’s all fun and games.
Fun and games indeed. Chatting with someone of Lily Allen’s notorious status is still an odd experience, no matter how often it happens. It’s hard to equate this chirpy, chatty 24-year-old with the person whose personal tribulations have become such public property. What is not hard to see, however, is how she continues to grow as an artist. Compare tonight’s gig with the tentative debut she made at Oxegen, the same week ‘Smile’ went to number one. Some things never quite change, however. After entertaining her extended family backstage, Allen would roll up at Death Disco Dublin. In the following weeks, various tales of her behaviour would float around Dublin. It seems that her reputation will never quite escape her. That would be then though, back to the now.
Sitting talking to you here, you seem genuinelly at ease…
I don’t have the shit to go back to. I’ve done the promo now, it’s just touring. The thought of not having to do that anymore makes me want to cry with happiness. This is the life, man. It wasn’t quite so good when we were all crammed in a little splitter bus but now I have some money behind me, it’s great. Most people would rather stay in hotels but I love the cosy element of getting on the bus. Plus….I’ve got 40 boys looking after me.
Lily Allen plays Oxegen Festival on Friday, July 10
Lily Allen – Not Fair on MUZU.
IT’S A FALSE INTERVIEW. Lily Allen has already explained that she won’t do a written interview.
We met Lily in person before her gig in the Academy Dublin. We interviewed her and this is the transcription. It’s a real interview.
It’s a false interview? Oh dear, the anonymous internet critics are out in force again. Do you really think not doing a written interview prevents somebody from writing it down?? That’s just low, assuming the author’s making it all up, you could have worded it as a question. But then if you were going to be even basically decent I’m sure you would have left your name too…
Anyone could write that this interview is real. But that’s just as easy as making up the interview. Lily Allen is on record as saying she won’t do them. I suppose you want people to believe you, and not believe her. If you’re a writer then that very much defines what you do for a living.
So what you’re trying to say is any interview by Lily Allen that anyone writes down from now on must be assumed to be false? Feel free to go ahead and believe that, but it’s pretty ridiculous. Niall is State’s editor, so he’s not ‘anyone’, he’s the best evidence (short of Lily Allen) that you’re going to get. I also work for State (though I wasn’t at the interview, I just think your comments are more than a tad uncalled for), though if you look at the top of the piece you can easily check that neither one of us is the author.
Apart from Lily Allen’s previous comments (which I’ll assume are true, I haven’t actually checked, but I don’t think I’m quite the sceptic you seem to be… they’ve already been explained anyway), what exactly is it that makes you think this is false?
(I’m out of the country right now and about to leave the internet cafe, so future replies will have to wait…)
Hi There…
Permit me to add my tuppence worth.
I’m the publicist who arranged the promo when Lily was in Dublin on March 16th. I was there when this interview took place, along with the Xposé interview for TV3, and the Sunday World interview. I was also at the Today FM Tony Fenton session that she refers to in the interview.
The interview is 100% genuine.
Cheers
Pete Murphy – EMI Ireland
I’m saying in a straight forward way that it’s a written fact that Lily Allen won’t be interviewed on paper. This was included on her My Space page when she expressed anger with the New York Times after they sold some pictures of her home to O.K. magazine. It was mentioned on her twitter page that she does not speak with magazines because a Dutch tabloid used false misquotes that lead to other stories, claiming that she encouraged “kid”s to do drugs. After which she filed a lawsuit. She had to write on her twitter page [As if I would say such a thing] I do not encourage drug use. Although this article doesn’t set the same example of taking cheap shots, it’s impossible to believe that a writer would claim that they did a written interview, when the subject they are writing about clearly seems to be against,idea. And has to go out of her way to prove it. Lily Allen”s tabloid image has been played down, since she was given a court order to keep two news agencies in London, from stalking her, in an effort to stop these stories from being printed. There is no reason to believe that she would make these points, & then sit down for a printed interview. That’s ridiculous!
Hello Again
I’ve no desire to get into a debate with anyone. If you don’t want to believe that the interview is real, that’s your prerogative. I can only re-iterate that I was there overseeing the promo. I saw Phil interview Lily.
Cheers
Pete M
Anon… where is this coming from? Phil is a bloody excellent journalist and wouldn’t have the slightest need to ‘invent’ some interview with Lily Allen. Of course it’s genuine.
Just a few links to note as well….
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/lily-allen/
http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0213/allenl.html
http://www.thelondonpaper.com/going-out/whats-new/lily-allen-interview-to-mark-the-release-of-her-new-single-not-fair
She wasn’t interviewed on paper. Niall clearly said that he interviewed her in person and the interview was then transcribed. The publicist at EMI has also confirmed the interview for you. I suppose Glenda Gilson and the team from Xposé weren’t there either….http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=6854&locID=1.65.68&page=18
In June 2008 Lily Allen did a video taped interview with Paper Magazine! The written interview was contrary to anything she would have said. Included in that written interview were comments about her frequent drug use. This was followed by a video taped interview with Guardian U.K. That interview was also put into print by Guardian staff writer Miranda Sawyer. Sawyer used the quotes from the Paper Magazine article. When Lily Allen agrees to a video taped interview that doesn’t mean that when it’s put into print that it’s in anyway genuine. She does have to agree with that idea in order for it to be a real interview. She’s made the point that she doesn’t agree to it.
anonymous are you lilly allen? or a mere stalker who likes to provoke controversy? let sleeping dogs lie and get on with your life…unless you’ve something relevant to say (which is doubtful)
Anonymous does have a point. Lily Allen wrote about the New York times & the press in general on her blog. She wrote that the press are bullies.
Oh dear. If the word of the editorial team and Lily Allen’s own publicist isn’t good enough, then what is? There’s absolutely no reason why State would want to falsify an interview with an artist – we’ve enough to be doing without dreaming-up imaginary responses to our own questions!
I fear this may descend into another ‘Superjiminez’ debate…
State magazine has no validation of proof. Certainly people working for State are going to take offense at my opinion. Of course you’re going to agree with each other. – Because – they – work for State. I’m not arguing you’re opinion I’m stating a proven fact that you’re comments are a contradiction of her feelings. Based on information that Lily Allen has written. Anyone could get a group of people to agree with each other when that’s what they’re paid to do. This is a public opinion one that any person is entitled to! Even by disagreeing with that public opinion it shows that by grouping together to have the same idea means that you could turn against anyone at anytime. How can you expect people to believe that this is legitimate when as a group you’re the ones that think that way. This article can be legitimate but until it becomes known by the party being questioned don’t expect some people to believe it. I mean if you’re really going to group yourselves together like this, I have no other opinion than to believe you’re all members of the same way of thinking. It doesn’t have to prove anything but it does present itself. You write you’re names, but you still keep you’re privacy. And you do it as a group, so to some members of the public you’re the same people that write the negative stories. The public didn’t turn Lily Allen”s miscarriage into a publicity stunt, the press did. The public didn’t think she was a drunk until the press let people think she was. Now she’s cleared up a lot of things and those stories are not nearly as bad. Just because she cleaned up her act doesn’t mean the press did. Those stories are the reason that she won’t agree to an interview in written form. And you’re (patriotic/ or basic human right says she doesn’t have too. She’s a 5 foot 2 inch tall firecracker with an opinion that’s what you love, that’s what you hate!
Half of your last post didn’t make any sense. But anyway… I merely posted here to point out that the author of this article – Phil – is as honest as they come. In this business an honest reputation is paramount.
One question for you: You claim the press is unilateraly negative towards Ms Allen, but who’s hating her here? There’s certainly nothing negative in the article above. On the contrary, it shows her to be quite a warm, intelligent person. Lily Allen may have had problems with the tabloid press in her time but State certainly isn’t tabloid: We just care about the music. I challenge you to find any articles on State.ie flaunting idle gossip or hear’say. And I’m quite sure her record company – who’ve appeared here to back-up the article’s credibility – wouldn’t be endorsing someone who’s just written a pile of lies about her.
And, as an aside, the fact that you’re choosing to hide behind your ‘anonymous’ facade suggests you’re merely ‘trolling’ rather than attempting to make a legitimate argument.
That’s all I have to say on the matter. I’m sure Phil will stop by if he feels the need to add something.
Peace out.
Oh, you don’t get it. You poor idiot.
You’re looking for a debate as you clearly stated in you’re previous comment. The reason you wish to debate me on this subject would be to make yourself feel right about something. I point is very clear. Read all the comments.
My (in place of I) that’s a common typo.
Can I just point out, that if I now work for State, I’ll be looking for a paycheck Phil!!! (“Of course you’re going to agree with each other. – Because – they – work for State.)
“State magazine has no validation of proof.” Yes they have… I’m their proof.
Part of my job as Head of Media and Artist Relations for EMI is to make sure we don’t ever put our acts in positions that would be detrimental to them. If I thought for one second that State would have treated Lily badly or show her in a negative light, there is no way in the world they would have got the interview.
Lily did 4 interviews for us that day. You’re obviously a big fan, so you won’t be surprised to hear that we had MANY more requests for time with Lily other than the time we filled. The fact that State was included in those 4 interviews shows how much they’re trusted and respected by the record companies.
I’m sorry the interview piece has somehow offended you, or that you feel it’s not real, but I’ll simply re-iterate that I was there, and witnessed the interview.
Bestest
Pete M
The best way to annoy people is to use the oldest moniker in the word A.N. Onymous. If a criticism is truly heeartfelt why bother to hide behind it. Come on out and tell us who you are. We won’t bite. At least I won’t.
This is hilarious. What a nutjob.
Anonymous you are oficially bat-shit crazy, I love it!
Hey anonymous
Wanna come work for sweet jane or get married?
This is hilarious! Watch out anonymous they’re going to get you if you speak too loud! Tip your furniture over and make yourself a little fortress. Ha ha, crazy fans.
Back to work…
Good interview. Never paid much attention to her recently, but good to see there is a bit of depth in some of the pop music that comes out. enjoyed The Fear after reading this.
Yikes…
Look! You’re all missing the point. Everyone knows that Lily Allen doesn’t really exist. She said so herself. “I’m made-up.”, she said.
This is exactly the same as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3-LxmrFm40
just wanted to say wtf
Like I’m wrong for thinking that Lily Allen received too much negative press. The key word here is press o.k. This isn’t wrong she writes down what she thinks (remember.. ?) By reading my previous comments you can see that the issue was not weather State was a legitimate magazine, but that so many others are! That’s what prompted Lily Allen to write on her My Space page (February 2009) The New York Times are skanks) that she will not speak with magazines.
Well if she blogged about it she must be serious.
again….
anon…get over it… it’s an interview regardless of what shape or form you think is redeemable in lilly allens views/opinions… are you that fanatical to care so much? leave state to get on with what matters instead of critising BADLY on their reporatage… which by all accounts is unnessecary…
Been away but watching this with interest. Have a few points to make, back soon.
Hit us with them Phil!
4 days later…. no answer. So much for you’re big guns. Hay Nobody blamed anyone for being in the same room with her. You became way to offended by an honest opinion. Nobody knocked the paper either. Or the people that work for State. My point is just a written (hard evidence) Fact.
Calm down son, some of us are just too busy to spend our lives leaving pointless comments on the web.
Anyway, with regards to your latest post there, I’m afraid that accusing anyone who writes for our website of fabricating a story is doing more than knocking them, it is a serious accusation and a slur on a fine bunch of men and women. Reading back through your comments I’m still not sure whether or not you are still convinced that this interview is false or not, despite all the evidence to the contrary. You are certainly entitled to hold your own honest opinion but you have to accept when people challenge you on it as you have challenged us.
I hope you now accept that I did indeed sit down with Lily and interview her. I found her witty, charming but and a strange mixture of being completely outspoken and guarded at the same time. She has obviously had a hard time at the hands of the press but you have to be able to appreciate the difference between the tabloids and the music press, of which we are definitely the latter. There are other publications that do blur the boundaries but we’ll leave them to it. I defy you to find anything in this piece that panders to that side of things.
As someone who is obviously a Lily Allen fan I can understand to an extent why you feel so protective to her but, as she says in the interview, the touring environment is where she feels safest. However she is a young woman with a taste for life and who is aware of the pitfalls of her chosen path. How long she is prepared to put up with the downside of her fame remains to be seen, but you do feel that she will always be in control of her own destiny, unlike some others.
I hope that you have re-read the piece and have appreciated it for what it is. As one of State’s editors, I stand by everything that goes on this site. We have worked hard to build our reputation and will continue to bring quality music coverage to the masses.
Cheerio.
this thread has cheered me up no end. bloody hilarious.
happy monday everybody.
over the last year i have fallen head over heels for Lily Allen. Music, personality, looks. Good interview.
Now, somebody close to her email me her phone number please…im not a psycho, honest…
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