Roisin Murphy

Originally, I thought of being a photographer and nearly went to art school, but I got a record deal instead.

I feel more like an artist than a pop star, and I accidentally fell into what I do. Everything was just an experiment.

I don't think Ireland has really embraced me, but it is not really for me to say. Obviously, people shouldn't embrace me just because I'm Irish, but it is where I'm from. I'm extremely proud to be Irish.

If I had gone to art college and everybody was being a conceptual artist, I probably would have wanted to be a portrait or landscape painter.

Being able to express yourself is one of the hardest things in the world.

I love performance, but I'm quite happy making videos as well, and I'm inordinately happy writing songs.

It's a natural disposition for me to become muse-like in a relationship.

You can't get a better education in what it is to write songs until you listen to American soul music.

I'm quite drawn to women artists who use themselves in their work. There is a very feminine point of view, the use of female archetypes. I love artists who play with those kind of things genuinely.

I work extremely hard, but I love every minute of it. Although I couldn't work as hard if I felt there was a ceiling on anything. I spent £125,000 on four pictures for the sleeves for 'Overpowered,' and I loved spending it! It was like making a little movie."

I love Andrew Weatherall; he's so real and uncompromising and a sweetheart.

I don't like to work with stylists - I find the relationship too intimidating - but I love fashion.