National Post (National Edition)
SCREAM SAVER
Ed Sheeran steps up as Much Music Video Awards host.
For the past four years, diminutive pop star and friend to the famous elite Ed Sheeran has been an unlikely side attraction at the Much Music Video Awards, appearing every year since his debut album, +, made him a star back home. Now 24, a leaner, more world-weary Sheeran returns to the MMVA stage, this time as its host. As he tells the Post’s Jonathan Dekel, it’s a job he’s been looking forward to all year.
Q Over the past half decade, you’ve appeared at the Much Music Video Awards more than most Canadian artists. What keeps you coming back?
A It’s a lot like British award shows. You can have a drink or two. Most American award shows are dry.
Q Will you be imbibing before your hosting duties? A No ... at least not at first. Q You’re only 24 but you’ve already got two albums and a chart full of hits. Where do you feel you are in the pop star career arc? A I feel like I’m just getting started. Q You’ve done a fair bit of writing for other acts but it seems you’re coming into your own as an artist. How do you balance that?
A Right now, I’m working on a new album so I’m writing for me.
Q How is the album going? How far along are you?
A I’ve given myself a year. I’ve written about 60 songs and 10 of them are really great.
Q So you’ll have a lot to shop around afterwords. A Yeah. (laughs) Q The last song you debuted, “Sweet Mary Jane,” was about drugs; “A Team” also touched on the subject.
A Yeah, but that song is about three years old. It was written in Amsterdam while doing Amsterdam things. I wrote it the next morning when I was very hungover. I write about my experiences and that’s what I was experiencing, at the time.
Q Is it fair to assume that doing drugs inspires you, then?
A Well, I’ve never written a song on drugs.
Q I read that you gave up bread and beer?
A That was just for the “Thinking Out Loud” video shoot. I’m back on the bread and beer now.
Q I would be remiss if I didn’t ask about your pals in One Direction. Any thoughts on the Zane situation?
A Let’s just say if you’re unhappy it’s best to go your separate ways. Q And the rest of the group? A Oh, they’ll be fine. Q You’re recently single. Has having a love life become more difficult as the you’ve become more famous?
A I’m in the middle of making the album so I don’t really have time for anything other than that. When I finish a tour I go straight back to work on a song so I don’t have time to focus on anything else.
Q You have many pop star friends. Who has been your sherpa through that process?
A Elton. Elton John. He’s done everything — right and wrong.
Q You’re hosting a music video award show. Do you think making music videos are still important?
A Very much. With YouTube, it’s extremely important. I was reading earlier about how music videos are a great way to judge where you’re most successful. Without them I would have never known how big I was in Manila.
Q How about award shows in general?
A Generally speaking, If they’re not in England I won’t win anything.
Q I would think hosting them might help?
A I don’t think because I’m hosting I’m going to start winning awards. If I win something I want it to be because I’ve earned it.