We got word that Mick Jagger heard our first album and liked it. And he wanted us to open for the Stones in Hawaii. That just blew us away. But the next thing I heard was that Stevie Wonder opened for them here in the States and actually got booed at one show. So I was scared to death.
When 'Destroyer' was first released, we got a strong backlash from our hardcore fans. After six months, the album was dead in the water. The critics didn't think much of it, either.
So how does Liz Phair feel about Lana Del Rey? Well, as a recording artist, I've been hated, I've been ridiculed, and conversely, hailed as the second coming. All that matters in the end is that I've been heard.
I don't mind being criticised, but hearing yourself described as the next James Blunt - that hurts.
No one comes to my shows so they'll feel safe and comfortable.
We live for our concerts. We like a live appearance more than anything else about this business and it bothers us when we put so much into it and the critics bomb us.
When G-Dragon released 'Heart Breaker', I remember it. The reactions to when that was released as opposed to 'One of a Kind' is really like heaven and hell.
The rap community know that I'm doing very well. They're embracing me... They like the flavour.
Doing something like that, quite radically changing your approach to sound in one go, could leave you high and dry. It's happened before where people have changed direction and then everyone's stopped liking their music.
I've been putting out records for so long, but I didn't want to tour because I didn't think anybody really cared.
Critics always get the lyrics wrong in reviews, which is amusing - especially when they use them against you.
You get tarred with the brush of 'Lady in Red.' I play Russia or China or places all over the world. They don't even speak English but they know the words. You get a big song like that, and people love it or hate it. And if they don't like it, they don't like anything at all by the artist.
The thought of someone spending $20 to come and see me and saying, 'Oh, I prefer the record and she's completely shattered the illusion' really upsets me. It's such a big deal that people come give me their time.
Criticism pretty much follows anything anyone ever does. So, anytime anyone ever writes a song, plays a show, or does whatever they do, there's going to be a certain amount of criticism because that's kind of what happens.
It's nice to get a response from the artists that I cover.
Not everyone who writes about you is going to be a fan of your music.
I read about two reviews early on when my first record came out, and it just freaked me out, good and bad, so I've never really kept up with that side of it.
We had several hits in the States but probably only one big one in Europe. The crowds are smaller.
The more producers I talked to, the more I got looked at like I was crazy for wanting to make a live-sounding album.
I remember going up to bands I've loved and tried to talk to them and been cold-shouldered.
