News: Perez Hilton Interview (September 27, 2011)

And quite a few actors have gone to [the Sylvia Young Theatre School] that are in British television. So she Tash really wanted to do this. And I said, Mark and I talked about it with her. I mean, she wanted to go to Hogwarts. But this is like a version of Hogwarts.

As we alluded to last week, Perez Hilton got the opportunity to sit down and chat with Tori and he’s posted the first part of their conversation today.

He’s also posted a partial transcript (which we unrepentantly reproduce below the fold).

Look for part two of their chat to surface on Wednesday!

Thanks to Devin for the tip!

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Perez: Now, this album, and actually a lot of the recent albums seem to have been concept albums, thematic albums.

Tori Amos: I like a concept.

Perez: Is it easier to kind of draw from these characters now? Maybe is a different muscle that you’re using or what’s drawing you to more you know theme, the concept kind of projects?

Tori Amos: Well I like a story, and I think that through story, you can really take people to I don’t know resorts without them leaving their chair wherever they’re living, and even though it’s a story though, it doesn’t mean that parts of it didn’t happen, or that I haven’t experienced it. This record has been very much about different things I’ve experienced in my life, at different times. It didn’t all happen in one night as it does in the record, the realization that she goes through. It took me many years to realize.

Perez: Is Tori really happy, and is it easier to channel some of these deeper emotions from characters that may not be so happy?

Tori Amos: Well –

Perez: Can you write when you’re happy like as yourself? Does that make sense?

Tori Amos: [Watch above.]

Perez: Wow. You remember the day you had your first date with your husband?

Tori Amos: Yeah, the 6th of October.

Perez: Did he ask you out or did you ask him out?

Tori Amos: No, the truth is now wait a minute. I — the first date was after that. I professed that I had a crush on him at a show in Madison Wisconsin.

Perez: During the show?

Tori Amos: Before the show.

Perez: Okay.

Tori Amos: I came out to the sound desk, and I brought a cup of tea, and I said, “Okay, so well.” He said, “Yes” in his British accent. “Is there something I can do for you?” And I’m thinking oh. And I said, “Well I think it’s only fair that you know that I have a crush on you.” And he said, “Well.” He was taken aback, and he said, “From where I come from, then I would say what about a date? That would be the next step.”

Perez: But as a result of that, you’ve been together 17 years, and have a beautiful daughter who is on your album.

Tori Amos: Yes, she is.

Perez: Tash sings on a couple of songs?

Tori Amos: As, yes she does.

Perez: And she’s also in the artwork, and the album?

Tori Amos: Yes, she is.

Perez: Some photos. And does she want to be a musician herself, or an actor? Did — you said she’s done both.

Tori Amos: She’s doing both, because I think she wants to be proficient at both of them, really, really good. Not just an actor who can sing, or a singer who can act. She’s said, “Well that’s just not any good. You’ve got to be great at both.” But that’s about commitment, and she pushed us to get into this performing arts school called Silvia Young.

Perez: In London?

Tori Amos: In London.

Perez: She goes to there now?

Tori Amos: She started two weeks ago.

Perez: Oh my gosh.

Tori Amos: She was accepted a year ago.

Perez: Wait, and she’s only 12?

Tori Amos: She’s just turned 11.

Perez: She just turned 11. So are you living in London now?

Tori Amos: No, I’m not living in London. She’s at boarding school.

Perez: She’s in boarding school?

Tori Amos: She pushed us. She said, “Mom, dad, I’m going to –”

Perez: That’s — I mean, a lot of — Amy Winehouse went there, Adele went there. It’s quite prestigious.

Tori Amos: And quite a few actors have gone there that are in British television. So she Tash really wanted to do this. And I said, Mark and I talked about it with her. I mean, she wanted to go to Hogwarts. But this is like a version of Hogwarts.

Perez: How far is Cornwall from London? You live in Cornwall.

Tori Amos: Well only part of the time. I mean, that’s Mark’s place. I travel a lot, and we’re touring, we tour a lot. And I’m in the states, I have to, this is where I get a lot of my energy.