The Buzz About … SOPHIE ELLISBEXTOR

THE UK SONGSTRESS GOT THROUGH LOCKDOWN BY PARTYING AT HOME

Back in 2001, Sophie Ellis-Bextor sang about wanting to burn the house right down in her hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ – but now, through her latest album, she’s totally embracing staying at home. Songs from the Kitchen Disco is a collection of her greatest hits and was born out of the singer’s live-streamed gigs she performed from her home earlier this year.

“I live-streamed a gig from my house when London went into its first lockdown,” Ellis-Bextor, 41, explains. “My husband Richard and I wanted to do something to lighten the mood. I liked the craziness of the suggestion. I have five sons, yes, but I also have a microphone, a disco ball, sparkly clothes to wear and lots of songs to sing.”

For three months, every Friday night, Ellis-Bextor would perform tracks including ‘Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)’, ‘Take Me Home’ and, of course, ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’. “We adored it,” she says. “It felt very chaotic and close to the wire because the kids sometimes tried to pull out cables or fight with each other but overall it felt joyful and fun for us. It also made me feel connected to everyone who dropped in to watch.”

The album is Ellis-Bextor’s first greatest hits collection. “I’ve never done a classic hits compilation before and how bonkers is it that it’s come out of gigs from my home? What a bizarre time …”

She adds that the power of music has been her tonic to cope with the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. “Julie Andrews is so right – when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favourite things, which for me is singing,” she says. “Performing and sharing these songs really cheered me up.”

(Songs from the Kitchen Disco is out now)