Picture the scene: it’s a grey day in Bristol, there are clouds overhead, and not a patch of blue sky in sight. We’re here at The Marble Factory, a great venue inside, but externally a rather old and drab looking place. This day is in desperate need of some sunshine and colour - thankfully, Rae Morris is here to provide that!

With only two dates left after her Bristol show, Rae Morris’ latest tour is sadly coming to an end. She greets me with a warm smile wearing the best yellow puffer coat the fashion world has ever seen, makes me a cup of tea and we sit down to talk. Everything from the tour, charity work, the new album, dinner parties… we cover it all.

So, how is the tour going?

Tour is going extremely well, thank you. It’s been really amazing so far, and I’m just so surprised by the amount of people, the amount of energy that everyone brings. I’ve been meeting a lot of people afterwards which has been super nice. People are so lovely, buying merch, wearing the scarves and stuff which is great.

You just released the video for ‘Someone Out There’, a sort of ‘postcard from Blackpool’ idea. How did you come up with that concept?

Basically, Noel Paul, the director, and I have done the last three videos before this one together. We’d been talking about doing the ‘Someone Out There’ video for ages, and we actually jetsetted quite a lot for the other videos and went to various places because of where Noel lives. He’s based in America, so the two American videos made a lot of sense. ‘Do It’ [filmed in NYC], and ‘Atletico’ was in New Orleans.

But it just didn’t feel right to do something far away [for ‘Someone Out There’], because the song is so much about a sense of community and familiarity. I just wanted to show him Blackpool as well, and Gabe Harden, the DoP, had only been to England once before so it was an experience for him as well.

Did you have real people featuring in the video?

Yeah, pretty much. We had a few extras and actors. Professional extras, was really interesting to meet them actually. I’d say 85% of the people featured in the video were friends and family of mine. It was really amazing, we had this whole day where everyone came down: my nana, my aunties, my uncles, cousins, my parents. They just represent something that’s special to me, and that’s what the song is about really.

Now you’ve been on the road for a little bit, what do you do to kick back and relax? Singing every night must be tiring!

It is, surprisingly so. I think because I’m moving around a lot more now, I’m dancing quite a lot, I get physically more tired. But it’s good, it’s a workout. So, I get about an hour of exercise a day, which is good. But I go back to bed, that’s what I do, sleep more. On the way here I watched the first episode of Queer Eye. In the van I can watch Netflix on my phone, with my neck pillow on, watching that, was just bliss. That was a dreamy hour.

Amazing performance on Sport Relief the other night! How would you sum up that experience for you?

It was really, really emotional. That was the biggest thing. Sport Relief is an amazing thing, and it’s meant to be fun and engaging, and people get moving and get going. The song I sang followed Zoë Ball’s documentary, it was just so moving, and she’s been through so much. Performing the song alongside that very touching tale was really emotional, and really special.

Speaking of charities, you’ve done some work with breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! How did you become involved with the work they do?

Actually, I was just invited to play the festival for the first time, I think in 2013. Fearne Cotton was curating the festival, she still does it, and I was asked to play, and I went and did a little solo set. That was actually just before I went to America to make my first record. I was playing a bunch of stuff that hadn’t even been recorded yet, and I met Kris and Maren [founders of CoppaFeel!] and just really loved them.

Thought they were amazing, what they were doing was incredible, and we stayed in touch. So, anything they asked me to do I was like, “of course, yes, I’ll literally do anything you want”. The most fun thing, we did the Bath Half Marathon together – what an experience. That was emotional too.

What song, throughout all music history, do you wish that you’d written first?

You know what, I know this because I put it on regularly and think this exact thought. It’s the Billy Joel song ‘She’s Always a Woman’. It’s one of those things, I want to cover it but then I think “would I change the lyrics?”, but then I just wouldn’t, there’s nothing about it that I would change. It’s perfect to me, it’s a perfect song. What about you?

I knew you were going to ask me about mine! There’s so many ‘older songs’ that I love, but a more recent song…  do you know Flyte? I just love their song ‘Faithless’, I think it’s beautiful.

I know those guys. Oh my god it is, I do love that song. That’s gorgeous.

Obviously, we have to talk about the new album. It’s great, I’ve had it on repeat. How does it feel to finally have it out?

It’s weird. The first week was really surreal. Now it feels so positive and like a relief, in a way, that people hear it because for quite a while people ask you, “what are you up to? Are you making a new record? Are you still making music?” So to show what I’ve been up to in a way has been really nice. It gives context, and it’s a landmark. It’s amazing to have it out, and everyone’s been so nice, it’s unbelievable, the positivity about it.

Are there any cool tracks that didn’t make it onto the album?

Well, I would say yes. There’s definitely a reason they didn’t make it on the record so that could be that maybe they’re not very good…

How many songs did you write for this record?

In one interview I was like “there are a hundred songs!” and I definitely exaggerated. I’d say there was probably like, fifty or sixty? Which is a lot. Some of them are loops, with partial lyrics, and others are full on pop songs, that I think are really good but maybe aren’t for me. I’d love to put them out, I’d love to do something. I don’t want them to go unheard.

Has being on tour got you inspired, have you been doing any writing on the road?

Nuh-uh, no I haven’t, I’m rubbish. I’m not good at being creative on tour. Maybe over time I might be able to develop it, but for me it’s such a different headspace being on tour. It’s so much about being fearless and almost so concentrated on staying well, having energy, and sleeping in the down-time. I came on this tour with various podcasts saved and thinking I would have so much time to read my book, and then you just really don’t have as much time… *burp* oh sorry I burped there haha!

We can cut that out!

That’s the first time I’ve burped in an interview, that’s so funny! Maybe you can keep it in, that’s quite good. But yeah, maybe one day I’ll figure it out [how to write on tour]. I think there’s a bit of time after this tour so I’m gonna get back into the studio and do stuff.

Last question: you’re throwing an awesome dinner party. What meal are you cooking them?

I’ve been talking about this a lot, because I really love going for dinner at friends’ houses, but I really don’t like it when you don’t eat enough. Particularly if you’re drinking. I want a spag bol, basically, I just want a spag bol. Like, just don’t mess around here.

And garlic bread?

And garlic bread. And chips… I’m saying chips for some reason, but I always want chips. Something hearty. I like to cook, but I don’t do it enough.

You’ve already invited your friends and family over, but you’ve got five spaces left. Who are your dream guests?

I’d say Björk as my first one because I’d be fascinated… I guess she wouldn’t wanna eat the spag bol, she’s probably vegetarian. We could make a Quorn one. Hopefully she’s not vegan… we can figure that out. Maybe to make her feel comfortable we could have Arca, her producer she works with and Jesse Kanda, who makes all her videos.

So, we’d use three spaces for her little crew, and then who else? I think maybe Dusty Springfield. I’d love to talk to Dusty Springfield and she what she has to say. Ah, that would be nice. My last one… maybe Jim Morrison of The Doors. Just because I think having someone a little more rock ‘n’ roll… well he was part of the 27-club, wasn’t he? I’d like to talk to someone from that.

If I could maybe swap out somebody I’d probably get rid of Jesse Kanda, even though I’d like to meet him in real life, I think he’s amazing, and maybe swap him for Kate Bush.

Some strong females at that table.

Ah, I’m dreaming of it now…

Rae Morris is definitely a strong female artist herself, proven with her wonderful performance later that night at The Marble Factory. A show the audience won’t forget about for a long time, that’s for certain.