Who is Tiff Lacey?

Tiff Lacey is me!  It’s a tough question to answer.  Who am I?  A complex creature.  Very shy and retiring and becoming even more so as time marches on. 

When did you start singing and how did you discover you could sing?

According to my Mum I was singing from about a year old.  Discovering I could sing was different.  I’d say the earliest I had designs to be a singer/songwriter was about 15 but I lacked confidence and didn’t really get into a band properly until I was about 22. 

To what music did you listen as a kid?

Elvis, Shirley Bassey, Crystal Gayle, some opera, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, all the stuff my Grandparents and parents listened to until I hit my teens and then it was the Stranglers and Queen.

You started singing in rock bands and then made a u-turn into electronic music, why did you make this u-turn? 

I love music so it didn’t really feel like a U-turn but trying something different.  I had been in several bands over a few years without fulfillment and so when I was asked to demo for Oakenfold I thought why not.  I’d always been a bit of a clubber but it had never it dawned on me I should try singing a dance track!  Why I’ll never know.  But it was successful and my voice seemed to lend itself to that sound so I’ve stayed on it. 

What is the difference for you between singing in electronic acts compared to rock bands?

With the electronic sound you can hear yourself!  With a rock band it’s each man for himself.  It also helps if you bribe the sound engineer with beer or his favourite poison so he’ll keep turning your mic up when the drummer really gets going and the bass player has gone past 11!  It’s probably a more “organic” experience with the full band and absolutely anything can and will happen and no two nights are the same but it’s definitely interesting but to be honest I think that’s true of any live event, electronic or rock, you just never know what may or could go wrong.

What inspires you in writing lyrics?

Life inspires me.  Sometimes it so wonderful, sometimes so miserable.  Every day amazes me.  Obviously my daughter has been a massive inspiration and the last few songs have been about her, before that it was my husband.  Sometimes I like to get really dark and investigate alternative topics that I wouldn’t usually think about and then other times I turn to God and find revelations, like Footprints and Promisedland.

You just released an album with Huw Williams under the name of Rubikon, how was it realised since you and Huw don’t live close together?

Bizarre this internet life innit.  Huw and I have never met but have emailed constantly.  We have spoken on the telephone only once but through the magic of computers have managed to create “Wonderland” which I think is a fantastic achievement.  I know Huw, like myself, is really proud of the album.  We wrote over 30 tracks together and then cherry picked the best 11.  It started out as a pitching idea for other people and then we both realised that we really liked the stuff we had created and decided to keep it for ourselves.   

What is your favorite track on the album and why?

The eponymous “Wonderland”.  It takes me on a journey.  Every time I hear it, I hear something different.  It’s not perfect but I’m probably far happier with this track from a vocal and lyrical point of view than anything else I’ve written so far but one always knows “we should and can do better” so until then, it’s Wonderland for me.   

What is the ideal way for you to record an album, all together in a studio or by sending files to each other?

The Rubikon album was pretty ideal for me.  Sending files to and fro and editing where and when we needed to.  I’ve recorded stuff the old way in studios, hours and hours on end, it’s a bit dull to be honest.  You seem to waste so much time listening and watching other people doing their stuff, then you do your vocals, then more listening.  I really prefer the time efficiency of working alone and getting as much done in a shorter space.  Also when Huw and I wrote the album I was in full time employment (nine to five, Monday to Friday) and towards the of it,  pregnant, so I was a bit short on time.  If we had recorded it in a studio I don’t know how I would have made the time stretch otherwise. 

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When will you get back on stage?

I’d like to say soon but at the moment there are no plans to get out there.  With Rubikon it’s a bit difficult, as Huw is in France and I’m in the UK so it’s hard to organise.  However, you can never say never.

You are a mom now, how did this change your life and your views on life?

Yes I’m a Mum!  It’s just the most wonderful thing that has ever happened except meeting my husband, as without him the baby wouldn’t have arrived.  Everything has changed.  The way I look at the world.  She comes first and always will. Before I was really Gungho!  Now I think everything through.   Children are so precious and utterly amazing. 

On your website you say you are basically stuck at home now and watching movies, what’s the best one you saw recently?

Ha ha!  I must have been joking.  I get about 2 minutes a day to myself and that’s when I go to the loo!  I would love to watch a film and if I could it would be Harry Potter – sorry I know that’s sad but I just love Harry Potter!  Or that new film with Ricky Gervais in looks good too – Stardust?  Maybe I’ll get to see it one day?  I’ve heard the 300 is amazing so I’d like to see that.  I’m so out of touch – sorry.  I may as well have said Casablanca!  Mind you that’s a fabulous film.