We all know Florence Welch to be one of the most powerful singers in all of music. And after a four-year layover from 2011’s Ceremonials, Florence and The Machine are set to return with a new album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, in June. But little known to the public, the English power-belter took that time off to battle some demons before she could get back to music. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Welch talked about dealing her issues with alcohol:
It was supposed to be a really nice time. Instead I got involved in this really confusing thing. I was trying to figure out what would make me happy: Was it partying? Was it a relationship? The break meant I had to face a lot of my own demons… When you’re on tour, it’s catered for that. You can move on to the next city and the next hotel, and as long as the shows are good, it’s fine. But you can’t take that attitude into your own life. When you’re trying to live and love in a non-scheduled situation, you’re just like, “Oh, sh*t, I just keep f*cking up. What am I doing?”
She later referenced an impromptu drunk performance that went viral:
Like ending up on MTV News drunk. There was a big party at my house one night. I got really drunk, and we moved to the tiki bar that’s ’round the corner. I hadn’t performed in ages, and there’s a house band there playing, and my friends are tossing me shots, so I went up onstage. Two days later, I get a phone call from my manager. Someone had filmed me singing and screaming and taking shots. And it ended up on MTV News. I was like, “Oh, sh*t.”
Thankfully, Florence is at a place in her life where she she’s handling her problems with alcohol. She mentioned that she quit drinking during the making of this album, and while we don’t know if she meant she’s off it for good, we’re happy she’s past a difficult time.
(Via Rolling Stone)
