SIXTY
SECOND
THERAPIST
STYLIST ’S�LIFE�COACH��
LISA�MERRICK-LAWLESS��
SCRUTINISES�
ONE�CELEBRITY�
PSYCHE�
Getting under
the skin of
Kate Nash
At just 23, singer Kate Nash already
has a number one album and Brit
award under her belt. She chats to
Stylist about the perils of fame and
why her family are number one
How did you deal with being so
successful so young?
I didn’t really have a choice, I started
singing and writing songs and putting
them online and it just happened.
I kept thinking everything happens for
a reason and everything will be all
right. There’s a weird amount of
pressure from the world and so many
people hate you. I didn’t read my first
album’s reviews and I never will.
You trained as an actress but became
a singer. Are you quite philosophical
about your career?
I didn’t get any acting jobs but the
music was something I created for
myself. It’s a really old generation of
Kate describes how despite training to be an
actress she couldn’t get any acting parts, but that
it helped her create a music career for herself.
As a result she believes that everything happens
for a reason. This is a great way to look at life as
it means that you control your own journey no
matter what happens along the way.
It also allows you to put your faith in taking
chances and trying different things without fear
of failure. Knowing when to make a change,
whether this is to get ‘unstuck’ or just to try
something new is a real skill. It means that you
move forward rather than going round in circles.
����WWW�STYLIST�CO�UK
people that decide who gets through
but music is different; if people like
your music they’ll come and watch you
and that’s all that matters.
You’re always on the road. Is
it difficult to maintain relationships
with people back home?
It can be hard and there are a lot of
people who don’t understand. But I’ve
got good friends. Some people resent
you, there’s an element of jealousy, but
good friends don’t. My boyfriend [Ryan
Jarman, singer and guitarist] is in a
band called the Cribs, and we’re very
understanding of each other’s lives. We
get annoyed though because we miss
each other, but that’s quite romantic.
Your lyrics are really personal,
is that deliberate?
It’s trying to get things off your chest.
It’s important to be angry sometimes.
Has anger helped you write
your songs?
When I wrote Mansion Song I was
really angry. I got on a plane and wrote
it in a text message after a festival
because I was so angry about what I’d
seen; it’s a reflection of groupie culture
and how people waste their lives.
INSTANT�LIFE�COACH��HOW�TO�EMBRACE�CHANGE
STEP����TAKE�BACK�CONTROL
Start by asking yourself the question: “What
stops me from getting everything I want in my
life?” The answer you find will reveal a lot about
you and your thoughts on life. Was it something
like: “I’m unlucky”, “I didn’t go to university”, “My
partner isn’t supportive” or “I’ve got children to
think about”? These answers put the situation
outside of your control and are disempowering.
Instead, practise saying to yourself: “The only
thing that stops me from getting what I want in
life is me. It’s time for a change.”
KATE NASH SAYS FRIENDS AND FAMILY
HELP PROTECT HER AGAINST THE
RIGOURS OF TOURING
You went through a tough time
in 2008 which you described as
“a proper breakdown” can you tell
Stylist about that?
I was just sick of doing what I was
doing and needed some time off. It
wasn’t a big hysterical thing. I just
didn’t know when I was going to stop
touring. I would go to America for four
weeks then have four days off, then I’d
head to Europe. I’d be living really
unhealthily and I’d miss my family and
friends. I just needed some time off.
Who supported you through it?
I decided I didn’t want to talk to
anyone from the industry anymore,
I went home to my mum and dad and
tried to find somewhere to live and got
my social life back. I’m really close to
my family; I’ve got two sisters and two
dogs. In my flat now I’ve got a house
rabbit. She’s like a little dog.
You’ve spoken about sexism in the
music industry. Is it something you’ve
encountered a lot of?
Yes. One journalist asked me why
I don’t care about being sexy! I asked
him the same question back because
I thought it was really sexist. It can
make you stronger but it can also make
you feel weaker. I don’t think the media
portray women as serious artists – it’s
like we’ll always be silly, quirky pop
stars. You hardly ever see legendary
female artists on magazine covers. I’m
going to stop moaning and I’m working
on trying to change it instead.
Kate Nash’s new single Kiss That Grrrl is
out on Monday, 12 July
Lisa Merrick-
Lawless is
Stylist’s therapist
and founder
of Headspace
(thehead
space.co.uk).
STEP����MAKE�A�CHANGE
If things aren’t working out in an area of your
life, change something. Even something small
like dressing differently for work or taking
a new route home will help you understand
that there are alternatives to the status quo.
Once you have learnt to make small changes,
you will realise that you alone are in control of
your life (no one else). You can then learn
to embrace change and see that it can open
new opportunities and possibilities in your life
that may not have been there before.
WORDS��LISA�MERRICK-LAWLESS��HEADSPACE���PHOTOGRAPHY��CELEBRITYPICTURES�CO�UK
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