IAI at the Shockwaves NME Awards

The biggest and brightest names in the UK music industry were out in full force last night for the annual Shockwaves NME Awards. The IAI team went along to grill them on new talent, getting started and the contemporary music scene.

Ellie Goulding on success:

“I don’t know how I feel at the moment. Everything has happened so fast. I haven’t had a chance to think about it. It’s pretty mad, isn’t it? It just creeps up and gets you.”

Courtney Love on inspiration:

“Violet was written about Billy Corgan [of The Smashing Pumpkins]. We were in a competitive phase. Powerful music can come out of strange places.”

Picture: LaRoux/Toast Press

Fearne Cotton on rising stars:

“There’s no set way that people should think about fashion or music or film. People need to be open. In London, people really embrace difference. They want to be the first to discover new talents and the first to support them. That gives rising stars a great opportunity. The UK is a very embracing nation.

LaRoux on intelligence:

“Why shouldn’t a pop star have a brain? If this is the new wave of creative, I’m definitely behind it.”

Matt Horne on music:

“I love music. I don’t always enjoy these kind of public parties, but when you get to listen to a good band, it is suddenly worthwhile.”

The Horrors on making it:

“It’s about hard work. To us, it’s also about being in a band. That sounds weird, but you’ve got to enjoy spending time together making music. You’ve got to put everything into it.”

The Mighty Boosh on critics:

“If they hate British music, they’re not listening to anything.”

Muse on winning the Best British Band Award:

Picture: The Horrors