Florence + the Machine

Brits Blog

Brits Blog

Tue 2 Mar, 2010

Greetings from deepest Europe.

I think I might have finally touched down after the Brits whirlwind and I thought I should try and thank some of the people I didn’t have time to get to in my speech.

Winning Best Album is such a huge honor, but I certainly can't take all the credit. Making that record was an enormously collaborative process, and so many things fed into it. A lot of people influenced me and a lot of people helped me out. I will always be grateful to all of them.

I have just been told that Tim McCall has passed away. He played guitar on Kiss With a Fist and Girl With One Eye on the record. He was a brilliant guitarist and a brilliant person to work with. All my heartfelt condolences go out to his friends and family. 
 
Thank you so much, belatedly, Tim.

Thank you to all the musicians I've ever worked with - on the album itself and in the years that led up to my finally making it. Thank you particularly to Devonte Hynes and Kid Harpoon, Matt Alchin, all the Ludes (RIP - Listen to their new incarnation 'Rum Shebeen') and Leo Abrahams. Also of course, again and emphatically; thank you to all the amazing members of my band.

Thank you to Gang Gang Dance, who are one of the best bands in the world and who I command you all to go and listen to right now. I got obsessed with their amazing song House Jam for a while back there, so much so that a line from it ended up in Rabbit Heart. I remain completely grateful to them for the inspiration and for everything.

Thank you to everyone I know for all the conversations that fed into my writing. Thank you post-it notes, billboards, domestic violence posters, church bulletin boards, love notes, Remove-Your-Bicycle-Or-We-Will-Have-It-Removed-Notes.

Thank you Ugo Rodinone, for the beautiful installation that inspired Dog Days, and thank you to all the artists and writers whose work has influenced me in various ways in the last few years: Ed Ruscha, Damien Hirst, Francis Bacon, Jasper Johns, Jenny Holtzer. Thank you Martin Creed, for that neon-glowing 'EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT' across the top of the Tate.

Thank you David Vann (his book 'Legend of a Suicide' is completely amazing and I entreat you all to read it. He also wrote a foreword for the box set of my album, which was the coolest thing ever and for which I am eternally grateful).

Thank you Thom Gunn, John Berryman, Zora Neal Hurston's 'Their Eyes Were Watching God', Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road', Don DeLillo's 'White Noise', Gordon Burn's 'Born Yesterday' and innumerable other amazing books. (Also I just finished Kirsten Reeds debut novel, ‘The Ice Age’, hot off the press. And it is A.MAZING. )
 
Thank you to Tom Waits, Beyonce, Fever Ray, Liars, Fuck Buttons, Lil Wayne, Maddonna, Moondog, The Exorcist Soundtrack, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the gazillions of other artists who I was listening to while I was making the album.
 
And thank you London. Simply wandering the streets of London has probably been my greatest inspiration in all this.

This is all off the top of my jumbled head and I'm sure I've forgotten loads of things. But thank you to all of you who listened to the album.

It took years of living, blood, and tears to make it and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the support I've received. It means so much to me to think that some of you have taken this record to heart. I couldn’t have done it without all the help and inspiration I got from so many other people.
 
So thank you, everyone.
 
From my heart to all your hearts, sincerely,

Florence
X

{Comments (77)}

Comments (77)

Login

Forgotten your password?

  • Since I can't go 2 any of ur gigs cos they're all sold out,:( can u do one at my school... or maybe my house...

    Posted by mini machine on Mon 05 Apr, 2010

  • Hiya! My names Poppy and I LOOOOVVVEEE your music!!! I know ALL the songs on your album OFF BY HEART!!! I thought you were AMAZING on the brits!!!!! Me and my friend Leah were shouting "FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE !!" So loud that we woke the neighbour up!!!!! I sit there listening too lungs while i'm doing my GCSE art and it actually REALLY helps!! I just think your GRRREEEAAATTT!!!! TEAM FLORENCE!!! :D :D

    Posted by Poppy Jo on Sun 04 Apr, 2010

  • florence your amazing seriously well done at the brits!!! CANT WAIT TO GO TO YOUR WOLVERHAMPTON GIG IN MAY!!!!!!!!! you list off some of the things that have inspired you here- well now YOURE the inspiration!!!!

    Posted by mushroom692 on Sat 03 Apr, 2010

  • florence you've inspired me so much every day i listen to your music somehow.LOVE Sasha

    Posted by sasha9 on Sat 03 Apr, 2010

  • Thank YOU, Ms Welch, for being an inspiration for everyone. Period. Lungs has helped me personally to get through a major artwork and countless smaller ones and it would be impossible to say that I would have created them with as much motivation or care if I hadn't had your album to help! :) Hopefully some day in the future I will have the opportunity to thank you personally, or at least to support your amazing live performances. You seem an amazing person as well as a performer, all the...

    Posted by lilye on Sat 03 Apr, 2010

  • hey florence, thanks for signing my programme on the night of the brit awards the lady who spoked to you said that you was asking for my name. my name is kayleigh. i'm loving the lungs promo lp. wow. thanks for signing it. plz cum 2 the o2. its closer to me. eery time i get tickets=- they sell out within 2 days=(. love u flor. xxxxx ps. everyone says i look like u lol. well i don't think so cos i'm me. x

    Posted by krazie-kay-kay on Fri 02 Apr, 2010

  • Hi Florence - have posted a couple of notes all round the place as am coming to Latitude and hoped to meet up and introduce Matilda to some family other than Kit and Nick - get in touch via Nick or facebook?

    Posted by vicki w on Tue 30 Mar, 2010

  • Heya! me and ma friend hav a lil obsession wiv you hehe cant stop listening to your music its soooo good! we're coming to see you on May 2nd -hopefully- and cant wait to hear and see you ! x-x-x-x.

    Posted by brodoesluvflo on Mon 29 Mar, 2010

  • Hiya my names sophie and just wanted to say i actually love you haha xx. I also wondered if someone new when florence is going to be performing in places like bristol and birmingham. thanks i wish i new you florence xxxxx

    Posted by Soph_Pichx on Sun 28 Mar, 2010

  • florence, thank you for singing my programme from the brit awards. the lady that spoke to you said to me that you was asking for my name. my name is kayleigh and thank you so much for signing it, you said happy 16th love florence. i also got a lungs promo lp. wow it was the best 16th birthday present ever. love you florence. your album is so great. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx

    Posted by krazie-kay-kay on Thu 25 Mar, 2010

  • I can't wait for her to make more songs. I love it so much.

    Posted by Anna14 on Wed 24 Mar, 2010

  • flo good luck on the cosmic love tour xx please please please come spread your unique sounds in newcastle!!

    Posted by loves unique sounds on Sun 21 Mar, 2010

  • I heard you talking on Triple J and didn't think I could fall in love with you any more. I'm usually a bit better at keeping that under control. Am hoping to get published soon, hoping to write something you might read one day.

    Posted by vanaheim on Sat 20 Mar, 2010

  • well done 4 the brit ,,i was sooo hoping u would get the best album goo lungs,,very much deserved,,go girll

    Posted by robertgrant on Tue 16 Mar, 2010

  • was at your gig from edinburgh to lyon in france u were soooo amazing, love,,no album has ever got me like this,its perfect,,id have liked to have seen hospital beds its amazing,,could u please tell me who ur support act was in lyon,,i was soo in awe i thought it was the sean anna band??? beauitifull voice,,use two should duet wooww,loving the new dog days are over video too great,,i think between two lungs is 1 off the best songs ive ever heard

    Posted by robertgrant on Tue 16 Mar, 2010

  • I have just arrived from your live concert at Madrid (spain). I've to told you that you make me believe again in music, in love. I feel it, lo siento. Please come back again next year and please please please don't ever change. ps: I think im in love with your hair.

    Posted by velvetmorning on Mon 15 Mar, 2010

  • Congratulations with the Brit awards. And I am being honest here, I am not surprised after winning best up and coming female last year and such a breath taking album. You have to have the most impressive and diverse fashion sense.

    Posted by murgatroyd_benjamin on Mon 15 Mar, 2010

  • Dear Florence Please, PLEASE come to Geneva (switzerland). Its really not a bad city. the pigeons won't bother you. My best friend and I are huge fans, your music fills us up. you are so lucky to have such an incredible talent. Thank you so much for sharing it with us..!! -Syd

    Posted by Syd on Mon 15 Mar, 2010

  • My lovely Florence! I would like to thank You for visiting Poland and Your amazing concert in Warsaw. I was there and I have to say, that it was the best music event ever. My friend was depressed, but when I show him Your songs, he told me "Thank You for Florence music, it gives life sense". I am waiting for You here, in Poland and I hope it will be soon. Kisses

    Posted by manieczka on Mon 15 Mar, 2010

  • By a happy coinicdence I will be in Boston this April when you are playing (I'm from Dublin, Ireland), by an even happier coincidence it is April 7th which is my birthday! However the gig is sold out and I'm devastated. I would have loved nothing more than to bring along some state side friends to hear your amazing live set. Does anyone know a way of getting some tickets? Best Birthday present ever!

    Posted by trishi83 on Sun 14 Mar, 2010