Santigold talks new album

The good folks over at Pitchfork recently met up wit Santigold to discuss the status on her freshly announced sophomore album. The acclaimed songstress delved into the various reasons why it took her four years to come through with a new record, such as writer’s block, self-doubt, label switch and much more. Read below some excerpts of the conversation.

Pitchfork: I was surprised by the “Big Mouth” video, which seemed to be drawing a distinct line between yourself and pop stars like Lady Gaga.
Santigold: That was actually not intended in the way everyone thought. I am not that familiar with Lady Gaga or Katy Perry, I swear to God. I missed that. I can’t say the director missed that, though– it might have been his brilliant interpretation of my song, but we never discussed it.
I’m disappointed with the state of music right now, but it’s not really about anybody specific. I think there’s a lack of true art, and the fanfare is valued over actual substance. It’s like you don’t have to make good music to be fucking huge. Now, I’ll say that, and all the little kids will be like, “Fuck you. I hope you die.” [laughs] Don’t let them think you dissed Lady Gaga!
I watched a music awards show last year and started crying afterwards. I just felt really sad that people go along with stupid wack shit. I’m sorry, but LMFAO performed at the Super Bowl? Aren’t they a joke band? That type of shit makes me cry. I’m like, “Really?”
So, lyrically, “Big Mouth” is about being able to have a vision, stand behind it, and then actually deliver. Some of my songs are just fun while others are deeply spiritual to me, and “Big Mouth” is a little bit of both. It’s like: “This is my territory; this is my turf.”

Pitchfork: When Switch and Diplo worked on your first album, they weren’t that well-known. But now Switch is working with Beyoncé and Diplo is doing songs with Usher. It’s like pop has caught up to what you guys were doing.
S: When my first record came out it was some weirdo shit on the side. Five years later, it’s mainstream. It’s cool because maybe more people will be ready to hear what we’re doing now. But it’s also challenging because I keep having to come up with better shit with way less.
I remember when Switch went to work on Beyoncé’s record. I actually had done some writing with Beyoncé before that– I played her [Major Lazer's] “Pon De Floor” video and she was like, “That’s amazing.” But I was working with Switch at the time and I was just like, “OK Switch, we’re working tomorrow?” And he was like, “Actually, I’m working with Beyoncé.” And I called up [Roc Nation president] Jay Brown and said, “I introduced you to Switch,” and he was like, “Loyalty to the Roc.” I was like, “Loyalty to the Roc?! All right, will you manage me?” [laughs]
That’s not really how it went down, but I switched management to Roc Nation several months later. Obviously, Jay-Z is a total visionary, and they have a great sense of how brands should work now. Because music is a brand– I’m a brand, among other things. I mean, records don’t really sell much. I’m an artist who wants to do many things.

Listen to her new song, “Disparath Youth” here whereas the the entire interview can be found over at Pitchfork.