Known as the singular name Rumer, this talented British singer continues to make waves with her new album, Into Colour. She has released two earlier records, Seasons of My Soul and a '70s male cover record Boys Don't Cry, in the United States.
The new music has her collaborating with current boyfriend and fiance Rob Shirakbari, who was Burt Bacharach's former music director. Her sound is often compared to Dusty Springfield and Karen Carpenter.
Windy City connected with Rumer shortly before her arrival in Evanston.
Windy City Times: Hi, Rumer. Where are you calling from?
Rumer: Northwest Arkansas.
WCT: I heard you moved there recently. How is it?
Rumer: Lovely and quiet, apart from the tornado last night.
WCT: This is a big change from living in the UK.
Rumer: I find England pretty cramped. I love America and I'm a big fan of the country. It is so beautiful here and amazing. When you come from a tiny island, it is an unbelievable feeling to be able to travel long distances without needing a passport. I feel at home here.
Chicago is a place I would like to live for a while in. I would like to see the arts scene and what is going on.
WCT: What was it like working with your boyfriend on the new album Into Colour?
Rumer: Writing songs together was a personal process and we developed that together. He is talented and gifted with arranging and producing. It was a privilege really and an honor.
WCT: Being comfortable with him must have been a big part of it.
Rumer: Definitely.
WCT: Was the song "Dangerous" a conscious decision to attempt disco?
Rumer: No. They always say don't do disco, don't they? I am not a disco queen but they heard the line, "Is your love too dangerous" and decided it was disco. When the melody came out it was already disco to me.
WCT: Was the "Intro ( Return to Blackbird )" a throwback to your first album, Seasons of My Soul?
Rumer: Yes, because "Blackbird" on that album was about all of the things that hold us back. It is about hiding and being afraid of the light. "Blackbird" represents the things that held me back, whether is addictions, sorrow, or old pain. Anything negative that we cling onto becomes who we are as part of our narrative. It is about me hiding and not exposing myself. I didn't want to do Into Colour because of the experience before. The blackbird was sitting in my window and saying it was time to come out again. It was coaxing me back in to make an album.
WCT: Was there pressure to make a hit single on this album?
Rumer: I don't really compete with anybody. I don't feel like I need a hit. I just want to have a body of work that accurately represents my journey over the last two years. I am looking to make a sincere document of the time I have spent and the experiences that I have had.
I don't think the record company expects hits from me, necessarily. I think of success in terms of is the album good or not because that is hard enough to make a good album. I don't think about it—wondering if the world will like it. I just hope that people like it as much as Seasons and Boys.
WCT: I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan so I like your cover of "Moon River."
Rumer: That is a B-side. Boys Don't Cry was my covers album. The B-Sides & Rarities is a new compilation that I have made with all of the tracks I have done on various things. "Moon River" was something I did on BBC Radio.
WCT: Have you heard from any of the artists you have covered?
Rumer: Yes. On the Boys Don't Cry album I met Terry Reid, Stephen Bishop, Jimmy Webb and I got very nice emails from Townes Van Zandt and Richie Havens. I made great friends through that experience. Me and Stephen Bishop became songwriting partners as a result of it.
WCT: "Welcome Back" is such a great take on the classic song.
Rumer: Thank you. Maybe I should have added it to B-Sides. I just couldn't find a place to put it.
WCT: How do you take care of your voice?
Rumer: I don't drink alcohol. What damages the voice is anything acid so coffee is really bad or anything milky. I try not to eat grapefruit, oranges, or drink orange juice.
I think a lot of performers have a very strict regime. I still drink tea and coffee but not too strong. I will have a beer every now again but that's it.
WCT: You have a band currently touring with you?
Rumer: We have a great band. We have Paul Pesco as a guest guitar player. He was Madonna's guitarist with the long black hair. We have a fantastic rhythm section. It will be a really good show.
WCT: I hope you sing a cappella as well.
Rumer: We will do "Thankful" with just the piano. There will be a few that are more acoustic. Last time I was in Chicago everyone knew the words. It was really nice.
WCT: I know some of my gay friends were at the Lincoln Hall show.
Rumer: I did notice the devotion at the front of the stage—a lot of extremely handsome boys. I have to say a Rumer concert is not a bad place to meet beautiful men because when I was in Cologne, in Germany, there [were plenty of] really hot gay men. I was thinking they should all meet each other, so there you go!
WCT: I know you love musicals and at the same venue that you are playing The von Trapps are performing. They are the great-grandchildren of the family that the musical The Sound of Music is based on.
Rumer: Are you kidding me? Oh my God—that is right up my street! I find that so interesting. I am going to look them up now. I didn't realize they are a touring band.
Do you have the sing-a-long Sound of Music? We have that in England.
WCT: Yes, it is at the Music Box Theatre here in Chicago.
Rumer: Some people get dressed up. My friend wore a goat mask!
Hear Rumer at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, on Monday, April 13. Visit evanstonspace.com or www.rumer.co.uk for ticket information.
