 Danish Singer/Songwriter Tina Dico, best known for her collaboration with Zero 7, releases her stunning new album-‘Count To Ten’ on Finest Gramophone-out February 4th produced by Tina and long-term collaborator Dennis ‘Ghettoblast’ Ahlgren. The first single to be lifted is the haunting beautiful melody ‘Sacre Coeur’ - released February 4th.
‘Count To Ten’ is the follow-up to Tina’s critically acclaimed album ‘In The Red’ and is a sumptuous collection of emotive songs delivered with Tina’s trademark- soft, yet powerful voice. Heavily influenced by the likes of Donovan and Leonard Cohen right through to Radiohead, Tina just like her idols- has an incredible gift for melody and a strong penchant for poetry.
Tina Dico is best recognised in the UK as ‘the voice’ on top Zero 7 tracks ‘Home’ and ‘The Space Between’– both of which were hailed as modern reboots of Joni Mitchell’s sunshine folk. Following on from this, she set off around the world with the electronic duo, playing the enormo-domes of the UK and the US and gathering a steady fanbase along the way.
The super-talented 29-year-old has already impressively beaten Coldplay and U2 to Number One in her native Denmark, has won the Best Songwriter Grammy and been voted Best Composer at the Danish Music Critics Awards. But the fact she did all this by putting out her music herself – without recourse to the marketing muscles of A Big Record Company – makes her unique. In an age of gimmicks and payola, text-in talent contests and image-first/music-second rock posturing, Tina Dico did it the other way: on the strength of her songs.
You started singing at a young age. Were you encouraged by your family?
Not really. There was always a lot of music in my house as my Dad is a hi-fi geek and has a "music room" with a massive stereo and a wide vinyl collection. I started playing the piano at a very early age and then when Tracy Chapman's first album came out, I was 10, that really moved me and that's when I started composing little songs and using singing to express myself.
What is the idea behind the lyrics of Sacre Coeur?
I wrote it just as I started touring internationally. I was in Paris when I realised that it wasn't going to be an easy life. I felt like I had to choose between the safe, comfortable life I had at home with family and friends and the "dangerous" life on the road with my art and my urge to push myself closer to some kind of edge. That's been a constant struggle ever since - to find a balance.
What kind of music will we find on Count To Ten?
Singer/songwriter pop with a philosophical twist - somewhere between Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega and Coldplay, maybe?
What's important to you about writing your own songs?
I feel like a songwriter more than a singer. It's my way of dealing with things and finding shelves for all my thoughts and experiences. So I can't really imagine life without it!
Are you happy with the amount of control you had recording this album?
I had complete control of these recordings - I've run my own label since 2000 so these days I can do pretty much what I like. I produced it with my old friend / multi-instrumentalist / guitarist in my band, Dennis Ahlgren, and we recorded most of it locked up in a studio in our hometown, Århus, in Denmark. It felt like quite a heavy responsibility, though, having no one to scream at when we hit a wall and things got difficult. Lots of sweat and tears along the way...
Is there anything you wouldn't write about?
From the inspiration I get from my own life I write personal lyrics but not "private" - there's a big difference, I think. I try and write about things that I think other people will relate to and feel like the songs are about them.
Will you be working with Zero 7 again?
I really enjoyed working with them and I can't say "never" but I'm so ridiculously busy with my own stuff and they've gone a bit more electronic since "When It Falls" so I might be a bit too Joni for them now. We still keep in touch, though.
You have travelled a lot throughout your career. Which are your favourite places to visit and why?
There are so many cities that I love! In my experience, though, a place is only as interesting as the people you're with. I always look forward to going back to New York, L.A., San Francisco, Boston (a clean version of New York), Chicago (the city that looks good from every angle), Toronto (a funny mixture of cosmo and hippie). Hamburg and Berlin are very cool too. And I love some of the old, beautiful cities here in Britain like Cambridge and Edinburgh!
Would you rather perform live or record in the studio?
They're two very different things. I would go mad if I was to spend more than a couple of months in a studio. My brain is overloaded when I'm recording, trying to work out how to get the sounds and vibes I hear in my head down on tape. At the same time it's such an exciting process to give a song its eternal form. Playing live is almost the opposite - that's when I give in completely, it's almost like a ritual that makes me feel cleansed every night and a lovely way to connect with people.
Which of your idols have you met since you've become a singer? Did they give you any advice?
I love Beck and Damon Albarn and I've met both but didn't have the courage to even say ‘hi’ to any of them though it was quite awkward and rude not to in the situation. I'm terrible at mingling and small-talk. In Denmark I have a good mentor in one of the big ole' Danish pop icons - he's been a big inspiration in staying true and grounded and also in keeping the work fresh and interesting for myself.
You did some acting while you were at high school. Have you had any thoughts about acting again?
Not really. The minute I stood on stage as myself singing with my own voice, I knew I wasn't an actress.
What are you most proud of achieving?
I'm very proud of Count To Ten! It's the first international release I've self-produced and it was a very nerve-wrecking and difficult process that nearly made me quit but it turned out exactly as I had hoped and has done better than I could have dreamed of back in Denmark and that feels like quite an achievement.
Do you have any New Years' resolutions?
To do 10 pushups every morning and every night. And getting really good at chess...
To coincide with the release of ‘Count To Ten’, a UK tour has been announced running from ‘February 2008’ – which takes in London’s prestigious Union Chapel on March 5th.
Dates are:-
25th Feb - Norwich, Arts Centre
26th Feb - Cambridge, The Junction
29th Feb - Milton Keynes, The Stables
1st Mar - Bristol, Thekla
2nd Mar - Birmingham, Glee Club
3rd Mar - Manchester, Academy 3
4th Ma - Nottingham, Maze
5th Mar - London, Union Chapel
6th Mar - Brighton, Komedia
9th Mar - Edinburgh, Voodoo
10th Mar - Oxford, Jericho Tavern
Ticket Prices: £8-15 (London) (tickets subject to booking fees)
Credit Cards Tel: 08700 600 100
Buy online at www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.tinadico.com
www.myspace.com/tinadico
Interview by : Rashmi Shastri
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