Wonderland sat down with “I’m Still Hot” London singer and Ivor Novello-nominee Luciana Caporaso to talk about penning tracks for international artists, her love of art and being an official Golden Girl.

You’re most recognised in the UK for your vocals on the Bodyrox track “Yeah Yeah”. How did the collaboration arise?

I knew Jon from Bodyrox already via Michael Gray and Nick Clow, when I was part of an act called Portobella. When I heard the instrumental I thought “what the bloody hell is that?” My management at the time said: “do you want to write over it?” So Nick and I did. We had an argument and I wrote these lyrics, then took them in to the studio. And the rest is history.

You received an Ivor Novello nomination for “Yeah Yeah” in 2007. Is songwriting your therapy?

Yes, I love crafting a song. I’m happiest when I’m creating. The Ivor Novello Award nomination was a definite highlight for me. To even be nominated was totally fabulous. Amy Winehouse pipped us to the post that year with “Rehab”.

What sounds are inspiring you at the moment?

I’m loving Skrillex, Porter Robinson, Sia Furler and Swedish House Mafia currently.

You’re massively into art. Was it something that you wanted to pursue as a career?

I’ve always painted or created through different mediums. There was a time when music was making me unhappy and I felt like I didn’t want to create via songwriting anymore… so I stopped writing and started painting. I had an exhibition in Soho with my ‘iCON’ collection… portraits of popular icons. For me, it was an escape from music and it helped me just stop and not think for a while. Now I’m back with music and writing songs, I don’t have as much time to paint.

You’ve worked with some amazing people and you’re currently writing with Cheryl Cole and Nicole Scherzinger. Who would your dream collaboration be with?

My dream collaboration would be with Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, Pharrell Williams, Calvin Harris, Will-i-am…

“I’m Still Hot” was a massive online sensation, especially the guest appearance from the legendary Betty White. How does it feel to have massive success in the US?

I don’t feel like a massive success in the US – you can have a big hit in California for example, and no one may have heard of you in New York. The Betty White collaboration helped as it was all over the media, but the US is so large. It takes a long, long time for a record to break nationally.

The artists you work with are very diverse – from Deadmau5 to Taio Cruz. What’s been your favourite collaboration to date?

If you had told me I would be doing a duet with Betty White from the Golden Girls… well… I would have said you were crazy – she is royalty!!

Luciana plays the Drink Nightclub, Illinois on the 12th.
Words: Shane Hawkins