MY SPLENDID ISOLATION
KATIE MELUA Singer-songwriter
The ‘Nine Million Bicycles’ singer is exploring her friends’ psyches via a virtual film club and re-reading Virginia Woolf
What I’m watching
I’ve started a virtual film club with a few friends. Each week, one of us chooses a film, but the theme is “only movies that have massively influenced you”, so we are getting to know certain aspects of each other’s characters. My friend Leonore suggested [the 2000 film]
In the Mood for Love. In every scene, the lead female wears stunning, delicate, high-neck dresses in beautiful Hong Kong interiors, which speaks to Leonore’s innate sense of style. The film felt very poignant for right now because both lead characters demonstrate real grace and decency in the face of great personal challenges.
What I’m listening to
I’ve been listening to albums produced and arranged by Charles Stepney. He’s one of those behind-the-scenes stealth names who worked with Minnie Riperton, Earth, Wind & Fire and Ramsey Lewis. For something calmer later in the day, I’ve put together a playlist of my favourite Lorenz Hart songs.
What I’m reading
To get some historical perspective about this virus, I opened my copy of Virginia Woolf ’s diary at spring 1918, when the Spanish flu outbreak happened. At that point, her coverage of world events is all about the First World War. I jumped forward a year to January 1919, but she still hasn’t mentioned the flu. But I’m continuing from there because she and her husband have just started printing TS Eliot’s poems, who’s a big favourite of mine.
The hobby I’ve taken up
These last few weeks have actually felt busier than usual. By day I’m mixing my new album. This is where we do experiments with levels on each instrument so the songs and musicianship can be heard as beautifully and clearly as possible.
Cameron Craig is working with me, and he didn’t blink when I asked if we could mix virtually instead of physically being in the same room. We’re working 10 til 7, Monday to Friday, until it’s done.
The thing that’s made me laugh this week
At the start of the isolation period, my mum asked about group video chatting. She’s been up and running on Facetime with one-on-one conversations for years. I explained how group calls work and so, after a few days, she’s got four of her girlfriends on there, all talking about their skincare regimes and healthcare systems.
When I went over to look at mum’s screen, one of the video feeds was upside down and two were sideways. But they just carried on.
What I can’t wait to do once it’s all over
I’ve got tickets to a Brad Mehldau gig in July,
I really hope we’ll get through this by then. I can’t wait to spend a whole Sunday at the London Library and visit the great art galleries of London. Eat sushi in a restaurant.
Fly back to Tbilisi, in Georgia, and give my grandma and grandad a huge hug.
The characters show grace in the face of challenges