“I don’t often dress up”, confides Siobhán Donaghy, “But I thought I should make an effort for you today”. As a long-time admirer of the acclaimed singer-songwriter and former Sugababe, it is hard not to feel flattered. She has quite sensibly decided to forgo the heightened theatrics of her last album cover for fear of looking slightly ridiculous on the streets of East London on a sunny afternoon, the high-necked white ceremonial gown and taxidermy abandoned in favour of a green summer dress and smart jacket. She is carrying her trusty laptop, containing work-in-progress from a new musical project; words that will be a comfort to the members of her fanbase who felt a sense of mild panic when she recently announced that she would be taking a sabbatical from the industry. “I feel like I have had that break now” she says, though her relaxed demeanour and self-confessed perfectionism betray the fact that she won’t be rushed.

Rest of the interview + a photoshoot: HERE.