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METROlife (UK)
supplement to the Evening Standard
Thursday, November 13, 2003

60 second interview

Tori Amos, singer, 40

Favourite restaurant in London?

Le Caprice because Jesus is there. That's the name of the maître d'. I had my wedding lunch there. It's a home from home. I always have a fish dish and an endive salad.

What's your comfort food?

Baked apples.

What would you cook to seduce someone?

I'm not a great cook, but at a push I would serve exotic fruit with a pink champagne, Cristal 1990 perhaps. My husband does the cooking and I choose the wine. I travel everywhere with my wine cellar.

Favourite drink?

My husband makes a green tea with ginger, cardamon, cinnamon and other spices. It's kind of a rejuvenating tropical Asian infusion. I drink it most of the day. Great for my voice.

Best London bar?

I think Momo is great.

Favourite nightclub?

I don't go clubbing. If I did, I'd go to Mother in New York, where all my friends hang out.

Best party?

My friend had an all-night house party in Old Street. We hung out making music 'til the early hours.

When did you last stay out all night?

Soon after that party, I became pregnant, so I don't stay out late anymore.

What's your idea of a perfect night out?

Going for dinner with my husband in New York. We go to a little Italian bistro in the Village. It's really romantic, quiet and kind of grown up. We love New York, and met there.

What are your virtues?

Being fair.

What are your vices?

Being fair. It goes wrong sometimes.

What are your words of wisdom?

If it's too loud, turn it up.

Your most embarrassing moment?

I fell off me piano stool at some college gig. I'd been straddling the bench and it slipped and I fell flat on my ass. My pride was hurt more than my bottom.

Who inspires you?

The visual artistic community.

What makes you angry?

When I don't have faith in my instincts.

Favourite book?

The unabridged Oxford English Dictionary.

Favourite music?

We listen to just about everything, and have thousands of CDs, from jazz and classical to cultural. I have a soft spot for Miles Davis.

Favourite film?

Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire.

Shops in London you return to?

I go to this great shop in Soho called Concrete, it's kind of a forum for hip young designers.

Favourite designer?

Viktor & Rolf.

What do you do to chill out?

I read a lot, especially on Native American spirituality. I think it's incredibly important to hear different viewpoints every now and again.

How do you cheer yourself up?

I spend time with my three-year-old daughter. She comes on the tour bus with us. The other day, her tights were falling over her feet. She turned to me and said, 'Look Mummy, my tights are having a hangover, just like the crew.'

How do you stay in shape?

By playing my piano, it's 9ft long and takes a lot of power to play -- it's as good as an hour-long workout.

Tori Amos, Tue 18 Nov, Shaw Theatre, Euston Road, NW1 (020-7387 6864). £17.50. Tickets are available to personal callers (maximum two tickets per person from 10am on Tue 18 Nov).
Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection will be released by East West/ Atlantic Records on Mon 17 Nov.

Interview by Amelia Pinsent.

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