UK soul starlet Mica Paris played at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2009 on Tuesday, 12 May, 2009.
One of three main festival acts at the Norwich Theatre Royal, Mica has built up a fine reputation as one of the most successful UK exports in black music.
She appeared in Norwich having completed her first album in a decade, following successful ventures into television and radio.
Before taking to the stage, Mica was very excited to be playing in Norfolk.
"I cannot wait for the performance to come along," said Mica.
"I'm going to be singing some of the old songs, but the new album is going to be mixed in as well.
"I come from the church, so my shows are always really inspiring. I can't help it - I go on stage and I'm probably there with you for the first three lines of the first song. After that, it's lift off!
"When I attend concerts, I really hate it when the audience is cheated. I feel that too often people are compromised with the quality of performances."
Soul, rhythm and blues
Mica, 40, has sung a combination of soul, rhythm and blues, gospel and jazz since a child, gaining influence from a range of inspirational names such as Marvin Gaye, jazz icon Miles Davis and Barbara Streisand.
"My grandfather said to me I'd end up in hell because the music business is such a terrible place. I made up my mind I was going to prove him wrong."She released her debut album So Good at the tender age of 18, to massive public and critical acclaim in the UK and the US.
The experience has left Mica with a reputation as one of the best black singers in UK popular music.
"I don't really think about living up to a reputation. In my mind, all I think about is making great music and whatever I do, I always try and give 150%," said Mica.
"I try and make everything I do exceptionally brilliant. It's not easy - you do beat yourself up a little bit," she added.
Her standing as a successful singer is much down to her musical upbringing.
"My father is an amazing singer and he plays the flute and the trumpet. He's also an artist and a writer," said Mica.
"My family is very musical - my grandparents brought me up and their two children who are my uncles and aunts are classically trained musicians.
"When I was growing up in the house, they were always practicing Mozart and I would sit there and hum along and jam with them."
Mica was not always encouraged to look towards the music industry for a career, but through self-will, she gingerly avoided the temptations of the musician lifestyle.
"My grandparents were ministers. I was very much guided by them for most of my youth - they had very high morals and were much disciplined," she said.
"My grandfather said to me I'd end up in hell because the music business is such a terrible place. I made up my mind I was going to prove him wrong," she added.
Move into media
Once the musical world had been conquered, Mica sought other interests and a move into media seemed to fit the gap.
In 2002, she ventured into the BBC to host 'Soul Solutions' on Radio 2 and in 2007 became co-host on the BBC's What Not To Wear .
In addition, she strutted her stuff during the fourth series of Strictly Come Dancing .
"The hours on television are insane. You leave the house at six in the morning and you probably don't get home until 11 at night," said Mica.
"With TV you do have to have discipline, but What Not To Wear was brilliant, they just let me do my thing.
"I said to them I don't think I can be Trinny and Susanna - because I come from south London, it's just not going to happen!" she added.
Return to music
Now feeling a need to break away from the box, Mica's return to music has more focus and direction than ever before.
"I feel like I'm going home again. I haven't made an album in 10 years, so I feel rejuvenated - taking a new pair of eyes into something I already know," she said.
"I don't know if I've met a crossroad in my life, but I would say I've got more experience this time. I've seen a lot more and I'm not the little girl going 'What's going to happen next?'"
Mica Paris appeared at the Norwich Theatre Royal for the Norfolk & Norwich Festival on Tuesday, 12 May, 2009.
Mica Paris
Norfolk & Norwich Festival
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