Lianne La Havas: 'I run to grime tracks like Dizzee Rascal's I Luv U'

The South London-born musician began her career as a backing singer for Paloma Faith before releasing her top ten-charting debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? in 2012. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize and named iTunes Album of the Year. She lives in Camden with her boyfriend Ben Baptie, a music producer.
Lianne La Havas (Picture: Getty)

FASHION

My Dr Martens work with anything. Dressed up or down, they balance out my body shape. I even wore them on holiday in Jamaica. I don’t really like pointy shoes or ballet flats. I like feeling solid.

APPS

I love emojis: the face with the closed eyes and the tongue out is my favourite. I must use it at least three times a day. To me, it means: ‘Yes! Come on!’ I’ve tried sending texts that are just a lot of emojis strung together, but I usually have to follow them up with a message to explain what I mean.

DÉCOR

I have a waving Chinese cat on display at home. The guy who owned our local chippie in Norbury, where I grew up, gave it to me because I was always popping in after school to use his internet. It’s meant to bring good luck, but I don’t believe in all that. It’s just super-kitsch.

FITNESS

The Leyton Leisure Centre is the best gym I’ve ever been to. I don’t like running outside because I get exhausted too quickly, but for some reason when I’m on a treadmill I’m like, ‘Right, yeah, I can keep going.’ I run to grime tracks like Dizzee Rascal’s ‘I Luv U’ to get myself hyped.

FILMS

Woody Allen’s films will be watched for hundreds of years after he’s gone. They’re so funny and clever. I like putting on Annie Hall, Bullets over Broadway and Sleeper at home when friends are over, although I ban snacks. I find if I’m munching during a film, I can’t concentrate.

FOOD

I’m big on condiments You can’t really beat mayonnaise on a chicken sandwich, but what I really like to do is mix Dijon mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise together to make a supreme Thousand Island dressing.

PEOPLE

The actor Vincent Gallo is a total dreamboat. If we were on a date, I’d take him for a walk in Regent’s Park and then to Opso in Marylebone for Greek tapas washed down with lots of the incredible gin cocktails.

BOOK

Life of Pi is my favourite novel — it is so witty, I felt like my heart was opening as I read it. I like magical realism and playful stories about storytelling — that’s how you should use literature.

FESTIVALS

I played the John Peel stage at Glastonbury this year, which was great — and getting to watch Lionel Richie beforehand was joyous. He’s both a legend and a lovely man. During ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’, all the security guards arranged themselves in a block and did a dance routine. It was absolutely hilarious.

Lianne La Havas' new album Blood is out 31 July

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