On the throne once again with her dazzling new single “Queen of Queens,” we caught up with the ever-glamorous Vanity Fairy ahead of her return to Norwich for Wild Paths Festival. Known for her glitzy, high-energy performances and kaleidoscopic disco-pop sound, she gave us the lowdown on upcoming releases, surreal live moments, and what really goes into crafting the world of Vanity Fairy. NMR // How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music before and who are your main influences? // Vanity Fairy: Disco. Massive pop hits and disco bangers from the 70s / 80s! NMR // Am I right in thinking you’re originally from Norwich? Is playing at Wild Paths a kind of homecoming for you, and how excited are you for the show? // Vanity Fairy: I’m currently based in London, but originally from Suffolk, in the countryside. Norwich was my nearest city growing up and I’m very fond of it. I’m excited to go back to play Wild Paths and visit the fine city! I love Magdalen street for a spot of second hand shopping. NMR // Your last single, “Top of the Pops,” dropped just over a year ago. Can we expect new material soon, and will you be treating us to any unreleased songs at Wild Paths? // Vanity Fairy: Yes x2! I have a new EP coming out in October, and I’ll be playing the new songs from it at Wild Paths NMR // Your sound is steeped in 70’s disco nostalgia, but i’ve also heard a remix by Sworn Virgins that transforms ‘Top of the Pops’ into an electronic dance track. How do you feel about that direction, and do you see your sound evolving into other styles in the future? // Vanity Fairy: Yes, definitely excited for my sound to evolve. Every experience changes you as a person, which in turn shapes the sound of your music. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens if I get a puppy or have a kid or something. God knows what my music will sound like then! NMR // When writing a track, where do your lyrical ideas usually come from? Would you say they’re rooted more in personal expression, observations of the world around you, political or social themes, or something else entirely? // Vanity Fairy: Observations and personal stuff. NMR // According to your Spotify bio, it states Vanity Fairy is undeniably best experienced live. What should we expect for your Wild Paths performance? // Vanity Fairy: A really fucking good time. If you’re looking to escape from the daily grind for half an hour, come along. NMR // You’ve played a lot of live shows, where have you found has the biggest thriving disco scene? and what’s one of the strangest experiences you’ve had while playing live shows? // Vanity Fairy: Honestly, pretty much everywhere I’ve been lucky enough to play. Disco seems to unite people and inspire good feeling and happiness! One of the very best though is The Windmill in Brixton. One of the strangest experiences – A speed dating event while I was playing. Also, a man stripped and threw a fiver at me once. Shout out to the security guard who removed that guy! NMR // You’ve opened for The Last Dinner Party at their biggest headline show and supported Electric Six. What were those experiences like, and did anything particularly surreal or special stand out? // Vanity Fairy: All of those shows were very special. It’s such a great feeling playing to so many people who are really loving your music! It’s pretty surreal being picked by such amazing bands to be their support in the first place, and then on top of that you get to play legendary venues, it’s all quite overwhelming! NMR // Your stage outfits are wild and glamorous, do you create them yourself? What’s your process for building the visual side of Vanity Fairy? // Vanity Fairy: My friend Ivey (a costume designer) and I create all my stage costumes. We chat about the design, then go shopping for fabric together and then she does all the clever making part! We’re a great team and I feel so lucky to work with her. NMR // Where do you feel most like yourself, in character on stage, in the studio, or somewhere else entirely? // Vanity Fairy: On stage or alone at home / walking NMR // What’s next for Vanity Fairy? Is there an album on the way, or any upcoming tours or festivals we should look out for? // Vanity Fairy: My new EP will be out in October and I’ve lots of upcoming shows!