Jamie Lidell’s soulful lilt, now heard everywhere from Target commercials to the “Grey’s Anatomy” soundtrack, betrays nothing of his charming British accent. He’s chatting with us as he heads home to his flat in Manhattan, and aside from learning about his posh accent, we also find out that the man can do an entire interview by speaking in metaphors.
On his new album, “Compass,” sounding darker than his previous work:
“It’s just a bit more emotionally involved. It jumps into the ocean and swims with all the fishes, the sharks, with the happy ones, the colorful ones.”
On making a more personal record:
“It was a powerful point of jumping off. I could follow the pop road or I could explore the smaller dirt tracks that have more beautiful scenery that were more treacherous to drive on.”
On collaborating with Feist and members of Wilco for Beck’s “Record Club”:
“These situations are clearly going to be powerful. It’s like a chemist putting these really weird chemicals together and seeing what kind of fireworks result.”
