“I’m late for everything. I was even late when I was born. My Mum thinks that says a lot about me.

I guess I’ve always been away with the fairies. It’s comfortable. The first day of rehearsals Mark and I had for our tour, I didn’t turn up at all. I turned up the next day. He was a bit shocked by that. It’s a running theme – the first show we played together, I literally had to run on stage because I couldn’t get a taxi.

But being late can be expensive. My ex-boyfriend lived up North and I once missed the bus to go and see him, so I decided to get a taxi all the way. It cost about £300. That was insane. I could have gone on a reasonable holiday for that much money. I don’t think I ever told him how much it cost. Actually, that was when he started calling me a space cadet. But he also said that he loved me.”

Following a six-year stint in Belle & Sebastian, cult singer Isobel Campbell launched her solo career with 2003’s Amorino. Although the album received critical praise, it wasn’t until she hooked up with former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan for 2006’s desert folk odyssey Ballad of the Broken Seas that her song writing became widely recognised, with the album getting nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. Last year’s Sunday at Devil Dirt consolidated the duo’s reputation as the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood of their generation, with Isobel’s harmonies providing a dreamy counter balance to Lanegan’s grizzled tones. Ms Campbell plans on collaborating with the Cold War Kids later this year. If she remembers to turn up for the recording sessions that is...

© TIM NOAKES 2009 c/o ANOTHER MAGAZINE