What do you do after you’ve recorded two successful albums, claimed your first UK #1 single and nearly burst your voice-box in concert?
Well, if you’re the titular Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine you’re likely to take some time out from the music world to ‘Shake It Out’.
NME reports that in an upcoming interview with Style magazine that the flame-haired belter has revealed that she’s planning a take a year-long hiatus from the music scene.
Welch was in Australia just 3 months ago touring the nation’s arenas in support of her second album, Ceremonials, but told the online fashion magazine that she plans to take a 12-month break before beginning work on album number three.
The singer, whose two records have both gone 2x Platinum in Australia, said: “There’s a big ‘take a year off’ plan. The record company have put no pressure on me for the next album. They’ve said I can have as long as I want.”
The 25-year-old singer recently enjoyed her first UK chart-topping success, with Florence + The Machine single ‘Spectrum’, but also her first vocal injury – forcing the frontwoman to cancel several European shows.
“I actually felt something go pop or snap,” Welch says. “Whatever it is, it was very frightening. I had to really adjust because it happened in the middle of the show.”
Far less stressful is the East Londoner’s favourite new game, a little thing she invented called ‘hipster safari.’
Speaking to Style magazine, Welch explains: “Nobody notices me in London. I think it’s because I don’t feel very starry when I go out. People expect me to be louder and wearing a huge bat-winged jumpsuit or something, but I’m quite quiet really.”
“I like playing hipster safari. It’s like people watching, but in east London. I like walking around, looking at everyone’s clothes. It’s like, ‘Yep, I used to go to college with them. Yep there’s that fashion blogger wearing a snazzy outfit.’ You have a list and tick the east London clichés off as you go.”
That should keep her busy during that proposed break from the band.
In the meantime, Florence fans will be able to get their fix on the upcoming album from Scottish producer Calvin Harris. NME reports that Welch will feature among a list of guest artists on the DJ’s third album, 18 Months, alongside other UK acts like Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah and Ellie Goulding.
