URB: Who’d you grow up listening to?
THOMAS: A lot of film scores and musicals, like Sweet Charity and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.
URB: What are you listening to now?
THOMAS: Don Blackman’s “Holding You, Loving You” has just finished on my iTunes and “Rock Lobster” by the B-52s has just begun. [Ed Note: check DJ Soul Slinger’s “God Is a Lobster” for a righteous re-rub of this classic]
URB: Any musical role models?
THOMAS: Gang Of Four, Fela Kuti, Liquid Liquid, Roy Ayers, The Slits, Cameo.
URB: What are your expectations for success in the U.S.?
THOMAS: Whistles, horns and possible puke, and—dare I say—Popeye’s chicken. Me and the girls are obsessed; we don’t have it London.
URB: How has the rest of the world been receptive to you—what markets are particularly strong, and where do you like playing live best?
THOMAS: Texas was fun. Strangely, the house that me and the band stayed in whilst doing SXSW was owned by a witch. A lot of strange things happened to us there. The album’s just gone in at number ten in Japan, so I’m looking forward to playing Fuji Rock Fest as well. Everywhere has been fun, but I’m treated like royalty in France. I can see why Josephine Baker ran away to Paris now. Plus, the food’s great. I’m doing an upcoming performance there this fall with Damon Albarn there for a show he will curate called Africa Express.
URB: The British press loves you, no?
THOMAS: I’m my own worst critic. I’ve learned, the moment you start to believe your own hype, you’re in shit.
URB: What do you think of Grace Jones comparisons?
THOMAS: I’m looking forward to the day when others will be compared to me.
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