Singer Jessie Ware is already a big deal in the United Kingdom and is slowly conquering the United States. Her debut album, Devotion, peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart and her follow-up, Tough Love, reached number nine last year. Two Inch Punch and Benny Blanco produced Tough Love, with help from Miguel and Ed Sheeran on various tracks.
Recently a song she penned and sang on was released on Nicki Minaj's album The Pinkprint and she is also featured on the Disclosure track "Confess to Me."
Known for stellar live performances, Ware is headed once again to the Midwest in April. WCT called overseas to talk to her about her upcoming Chicago date.
Windy City Times: Hello, Jessie. Did you always want to be a singer?
Jessie Ware: I think you want to be but it is necessarily the most realistic idea. I wanted to be a journalist, or a family lawyer. I kind of waned to be everything but a singer because I thought it would be an impossible thing to do.
WCT: I read you worked with Erika Leonard, who wrote Fifty Shades of Grey as a journalist.
Jessie Ware: Yes, I did at a TV production company. E.L. James was a production coordinator.
WCT: How does it feel to be on the soundtrack for Grey after all those years?
Jessie Ware: It is really brilliant. I think it is one of the best soundtracks to come out in ages, so I am really chuffed to be on it. I think it is special because me and E.L. were doing completely different jobs five years ago and now we are working together in a completely different way in a different world.
WCT: You went to the Brit Awards recently?
Jessie Ware: Yes, I was up for Best Female but I didn't win. It was fun, though. I had a gorgeous new dress, got really drunk and had a bit of a laugh.
WCT: There are so many British acts in music popular in America. How is the experience for you?
Jessie Ware: It is really lovely that Americans are so receptive to British voices. You see the incredible success of Sam Smith and he is such a wonderful person. He has a beautiful voice.
I've always had a great time being a British singer in the United States. I feel like I get a different perspective on my music than Europe and it is the best place to tour.
WCT: I'm excited about you coming back to Chicago.
Jessie Ware: Me, too. Chicago is one of my favorite spots and always special. I recognize my crowds, they are getting bigger but there are those that have been there since the start.
WCT: Did you work with your past opening act Sam Smith on the new album?
Jessie Ware: We haven't worked together yet but we will. The boy is currently busy with world domination so we will wait until our schedules work.
WCT: Was the video for "Champagne Kisses" your idea?
Jessie Ware: It was with my friend Chris Sweeney, who did my "Night Light" video on the first record. He is a really old friend of mine. I had ideas and references but I trust Chris so I gave those to him. He did what he wanted with it. I'm involved in it but I am not a video director. I don't want to take control of things like that too much. It is collaborative in a way but I have to credit him for it.
WCT: You worked with Benny on this album?
Jessie Ware: I did. Benny Blanco is a big pop guy so we had many fights in the studio where I thought it was too pop. We came to a wonderful compromise with the songs that we did choose. It is a pop direction but in the good sense of the word. Pop gets a nasty backlash sometimes but it can be a fabulous thing too.
I am really learning about myself with songwriting . How I can get better at it and reach more people. I write the songs for me but I want more than myself to be listening to it, you know?
WCT: I do. It has been tough for UK artists to crossover in the [States] sometimes, like with singer Paloma Faith.
Jessie Ware: It's funny because she is massive in the UK. She won British Female Solo Artist. I was up against her at the Brits. She has had an incredible run here.
WCT: Was the song "Say You Love Me" a personal song to write?
Jessie Ware: It was the song that I wrote the fastest over the whole second record with Ed Sheeran. I think that instinct came out without overthinking it. It felt like a really poignant song for people when I played it live. I am really happy that it was on HBO's Looking last week. It was a fast song to write but goes down the best.
WCT: You are a gay supporter. I saw on Twitter you were upset about the Dolce & Gabbana statement recently.
Jessie Ware: Yeah, I think it is really cruel to say that. I don't want to get too much into the debate but I think the fertility treatment is beautiful and wonderful thing for people can't have children naturally. I thought their comment was incredibly hurtful for people with IVF babies.
WCT: I know many of my gay friends have mentioned attending your live shows.
Jessie Ware: I have a really wonderful gay following. They have been very good to me and I love them dearly. I did my first G-A-Y appearance in London. They have a club night with different acts. They have had everybody, from Kylie to Madonna. I got to do it last weekend and it was really fun.
WCT: We should get you to perform at the gay bars here in Chicago.
Jessie Ware: Yes, that is a really good idea and I would like that!
WCT: You have a song on Nicki Minaj's album?
Jessie Ware: I wrote a song which I didn't think was right for my record so she picked it up. She kept me on the hook. I have yet to meet her but I think she is brilliant.
WCT: Out of the famous people you have met, who has meant a lot to you?
Jessie Ware: Sam Smith is the best. He's my bro and we are constantly chatting away but I knew him before he was famous. He's still the nicest person. Katy Perry has always been nice to me. Ellie Goulding is super-sweet.
WCT: Ellie is very nice and on the Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack, so it all comes back to that! Who is the dog in your Instagram pics?
Jessie Ware: Oh my God, that's my new puppy. I have had him for a week and a half. He is called Stanley and Prince William named him, which I feel very happy about. A French bulldog is apparently a very gay man's dog, which I didn't realize. He is fabulous and I just want to be with him all of the time. It will be very hard to be away from him when I am on tour but he did shit on my bed this morning so I won't miss that much!
WCT: Bad dog!
Jessie Ware: Yes, but then you rub his tummy and he is so cute.
WCT: Who is opening for you on this tour?
Jessie Ware: I have Jesse Boykins. He's an incredible soul singer who is American. I met him at one of my shows in L.A. and we just got along really well. It is important to have someone on tour that you like their music and them as well.
This is the biggest tour I have done in America, I think. Chicago is pretty much sold out. I can't wait for people to hear this record live because I made it for an audience.
I have added a pianist to my show. I feel really confident about it. This is my first time to Chicago with this album and hopefully not the last. This will be wicked!
See Ware at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., on Monday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. Visit metrochicago.com and jessieware.com for details.