Candie Payne

In 2006, following five years of writing, recording, singing and touring, Liverpool's Candie Payne was still having trouble finding a manager: 'No one was interested because it was still all about finding the new Arctic Monkeys.' Now, with a relatively successful album, I Wish I Could Have Loved You More, under her belt and a new Mark Ronson-produced single slated for October, things are looking up. 'People have started listening ,' she says with exaggerated disbelief. 'Finally!'

She insists on 'a clean sound', has banned backing vocals and says her pet hate is 'over-singing'. She is inspired by Sixties soul singers who 'sing straight', like Minnie Riperton and Roberta Flack. Payne is wary of over-glossing her image, which she carefully balances between 'pop' (perfect hair and nails) and 'noir' (she jauntily sports a trilby).

Her brothers are both players on the indie music scene. Sean is the drummer for the Zutons and Howie is the former lead-man of Liverpool band the Stands. She had always planned to be an illustrator but, feeling lost at art college, began to sing with her then boyfriend's band, Tramp Attack. She then met Simon Dine, who now writes her music: 'I only started writing lyrics so that I'd have some words to sing.' ES

Candie Payne - Why Should I Settle for you.mp3

Candie Payne - All I need to hear.mp3

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