Emily Breeze is always a source of laughter, with songs that celebrate the life and experiences of an accomplished party enthusiast.
Her new single ‘Fun’ perfectly captures the essence of this vibe, which is why BBC 6Music has been playing it frequently lately. We at CLASH had the chance to chat with her while playing pool a couple of weeks ago.
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You’ve perfected the Emily Breeze style with ‘Fun’. What was the inspiration behind this track?
The main riff, that ascending part, was something our guitarist Rob played spontaneously while we were working on another project. I liked it; it reminded me of the theme song from Roobarb and Custard or Grange Hill, so I took it home and worked on it until it took shape as a song. I remember showing the chorus to Rob and producer Stew, and I said, “I can’t do this, it’s too pop,” and they both insisted that I could and should. The lyrics are silly and fun, and every word rings true, especially the part about your mum.
You must have been thrilled when Craig Charles played it. What are your thoughts on that?
Craig Charles’ and Radio 6’s support has dramatically changed my career and helped us connect with a national audience. I’m incredibly grateful for it—growing up watching Red Dwarf makes it even more special.
What’s the reason behind naming your new album ‘Rats In Paradise’?
“Rats in Paradise” comes from a lyric in a song by one of my key influences, The Birthday Party. They have a sound that resembles beautiful, tar-soaked chaos filled with clanking machinery and bile; while we don’t sound like them, I’ve always loved the concept. It conjured images of rats in top hats and canes dancing in the gutter, enjoying life, which aligns with many of the characters in my songs.
You have an upcoming album as well; how important are the band members in shaping the sound?
The band—Rob Norbury, Andy Sutor, Helen Stanley, and George Caveney—are incredible and vital to the record’s sound and style. I feel very fortunate to work with such talented musicians who also provide great humor and fun.
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I’m really excited about your next single after ‘Fun’, titled ‘Dating A Model’. What inspired it, and does the person it’s about know?
It originated from a conversation with someone discussing his new girlfriend. When I asked what he liked about her, he mentioned that she’s a model, a performance artist, and 25—or something along those lines. It made me laugh, and the cheeky lyrics came easily. Rob wrote the chords for this one, but we didn’t find a fit for it until one night—when we were definitely sober—we put it together using an unplugged electric guitar and me whispering the vocals to avoid waking anyone. The band’s arrangement and Stew’s production are stunning and really highlight their talent.
‘Forever Money’, another track on the album, has a lovely vibe. Is it simply about dreaming of being wealthy enough to not care?
I was chatting with a friend about the notion of “fuck you money,” that point where you earn enough to say “fuck you” instead of crawling with a “yes please, thank you.” He coined the term “forever money,” which I loved. I also wanted to fit in Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses’ famous line “This time next year, we’ll be millionaires” into a song, so that made it into the chorus. I was inspired by ‘Fairytale Of New York’ and its characters who have a kind of tragic delusional hope that I find both romantic and relatable.
How much of a shift is this LP from your last album, ‘The Rapture’?
I know I should have a catchy soundbite for the media, but I don’t see albums that way. It’s simply the next collection of songs I worked on until they were good enough to record.
What’s the best way to enjoy ‘Rats In Paradise’?
The ideal setting for listening to ‘Rats In Paradise’ would be after you’ve gambled away your house, car, and kids on a horse, while you light up a Hamlet Cigar thinking, “ahhhhhh, forget it.” It feels campy, frothy, and slightly absurd to me—like a very British version of a Tex Avery cartoon.
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Emily Breeze’s new album ‘Rats In Paradise’ will be released on July 11th. You can also catch her performing at London’s Paper Dress Vintage on July 18th.
Words: Andy Hill
Photography: Maire Dutton
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Emily Breeze is always a source of good humor, with songs that honor the experiences of a seasoned party girl. Her new single ‘Fun’ perfectly captures the essence of that vibe – no