Bursting onto the scene back in 2009 with Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?, Paloma Faith is on course to become the first British female artist to have four consecutive double platinum albums.

Lauren Foster caught up with the London-born singer ahead of her show at Birmingham’s Genting Arena this month...  

You’re bringing The Architect tour to Birmingham’s Genting Arena this month. What can audiences expect from your show?
I think that I'm going to try and do something a little bit more forward-looking and modern this time round - I like to reinvent all the time. I’ve been embedded in the world of nostalgia for a while, and now I feel like it’s time, socially and politically, to look forward because I think we’re in a moment in time where we absolutely must make some positive changes. I’ll be singing a mix of old and new songs. 

Your new album, also titled The Architect, is currently on course to become your fourth double platinum album in a row - a chart-history record for a British woman. How does that make you feel?
Well, thank god Adele takes her time, is all I can say. I think it’s amazing, I have to pinch myself. 

What’s your favourite song off the new album?
I have lots of favourites for different reasons. I think the overall favourite for me is The Architect because it summarises the whole gist of what I was feeling when writing the record. It’s the world singing to humanity. There’s a mothering theme to it because it’s mother nature and that feels appropriate. I think all of the things I’ve discussed on the record, like people in power, homelessness, loneliness, poverty, the refugee crisis and Brexit, fall under the umbrella of that song, which is basically that we’ve messed up massively in the world and we need to start reversing it. I spoke to an environmentalist, and he said if we stopped all anti-the-world activity, like using power sources that weren’t natural and driving cars and taking flights and switching on lights, it would only take five years for the world to completely rejuvenate itself. It’s insane.  

You’ve recently announced that your summer tour includes Forest Live dates. Are you looking forward to them?
I’ve done stuff in the forest before, and I'm a bit of an old friend to them. I really enjoy it; it’s a very beautiful environment, the atmosphere is great and people seem very calm and relaxed. They usually spend quite a bit of time there, having a picnic and stuff. It’s really nice. Hopefully we’ll have good weather this year. 

You’re playing multiple festivals this summer, including a headline slot at Splendour Festival. Did you ever imagine you’d be headlining festivals when you first started out?
When I first started, I thought I'd just do one album to say I’ve done it, and then I'd probably get dropped. But now here I am, nearly 10 years on!

You’ve got a busy few months ahead. Do you like being busy? What do you always make time for despite the heavy workload?
I love being busy; I thrive on it, I think. I always prioritise sleep. I'd rather not go out and instead have a good night’s sleep because I actually think it’s my favourite thing to do. I sometimes spend half of my day looking forward to going to bed. I’ve got a really nice bed, though.

Do you prefer performing in arenas or at festivals? 
There’s a massive difference, but I like them for different reasons - I’d never want to give up one of them. I like playing small and big and would always want to. I’m not as popular in certain territories in the world, but I quite enjoy that because I get to do shows that are in small venues, trying to convince people to listen. I still really enjoy doing that. I think it’s really good for me as an artist and as a performer to be able to do both.

Do you have a favourite festival?
I really enjoy Bestival and Latitude. I also like the little boutique festivals that you don’t really know, because usually you get a nice community feel. 

You’ve branched into television and film. Would you consider taking on more acting roles in the future, and what would be your criteria?
I would absolutely like to do more acting, but I don’t think I’m very good at it. I’d want to do art house/indie films, like the British version of Precious or something like that.

How’s parenthood treating you?
It’s the best and the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. Once you get past six months, it becomes the best thing, but I feel before that it’s like hell. You have to provide for this person who doesn’t even care if you exist or not.

What was behind the decision to keep the sex of your child private?
It’s just about keeping a few details about my child out of the public eye. I don’t think celebrity culture is a healthy environment for children. I think when they’re 18, they can make a decision for themselves. 

You have an impeccable sense of style. Who’s your favourite designer? 
At the moment it’s Alessandro Michele, who designs for Gucci, but I'm not sure he wants to be friends with me because they don’t lend me any clothes. I’ve always been into style more than fashion, I guess. 

Tell us something about yourself that we probably won’t already know or that isn’t well documented.
I feel like I overshare. I’m not actually that mad; I'm very measured - and quite sensible, perhaps. I love travel. I particularly like the south of Italy, and I've been to Thailand and the Maldives and Mexico and Cuba, and I had amazing times there. I really like Japan, even though there are lots of people. 

What does the future hold for Paloma Faith?
Hopefully lots more touring and a good work/home balance. That’s really important now. And hopefully starting a new album and breaking some more self-imposed records. 

Paloma Faith plays Genting Arena, Birmingham, on Wednesday 21 March and Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire, on Friday 29 June.