Q&A
Imelda May
The singer-songwriter on spirituality, the number 11:11, her new album, activism and sticking it to music industry ageism.
Words: Jo Kendall
On her sixth studio album, 11 Past The Hour (released in April this year), Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May has found a new path that’s very different from her jazz-club roots and her first flurry of success as a rockabilly performer. Creating music that’s “built to last”, despite record company execs trying to write her off because – heaven forfend! – she’s over 40, May has just enjoyed her fourth No.1 album in Ireland. 11 Past The Hour is an eclectic and spirited mix of rock, pop and country soul, put together with a guest list that includes Miles Kane, Noel Gallagher and Charlotte Hatherley, plus recent touring partner and ‘discoverer’ Ronnie Wood.
What’s the story behind making 11 Past The Hour?
I started writing this album before lockdown, and, like everyone else, I went through such a massive range of emotions during that time. I wanted to mirror that, and post-lockdown the songs’ meanings changed – they meant even more. The whole album was about discovering different things and about love in many different forms.