Rita Lynch - Interview 15.08.2001 With a sound that can be described as PJ Harvey meets At The Drive-In with a dose of the usual dark ambience that accompanies most Bristol releases, Rita Lynch is on the verge of a truly memorable comeback. The tentatively titled, All Dressed Up - scheduled for release later this year - could be the album that finally ushers Rita Lynch into the limelight. One thing that hasn't diminished over the years is the loyal legion of fans who flock to see this mercurial talent whenever she performs live. Often bordering on the obsessive, Rita's loyal fan base - which includes a large gay following as well as attracting far-reaching countries such as Japan and various parts of America - is one of the main reasons why this Bristol musician continues to create her music. "A long time ago I was a lesbian," comments Rita desperately fighting a losing battle with a bad dose of the flu. "I received much gay press during this period that is why I have such a gay following now. Many of my gigs - especially in London - seem to attract a cool following; even though I'm not a lesbian now, I still seem to get a large number of gay women at my gigs. I really appreciate that lesbians find something in my music for them because I think lesbians have been left out in the cold due to the whole male gay thing receiving much attention of late." In relation to your fans, have you ever been criticised for changing your sexuality? "Yes I have," is the immediate reply. "I can understand if certain women feel that I was speaking for them, and I have been approached about this, but what can you say at the end of the day? You love whom you love." It would seem that America has definitely fallen in love with a certain Bristol musician. "It's quite amazing because for some reason some of my songs have been put onto various compilations over in America where I seem to have acquired something of a following. I have received various letters from fans in America who tend to care a lot, but some of the letters have been a bit too intense about what I do which is quite daunting because it's difficult to live up to." This is perhaps the reason Rita Lynch has remained on the fringe of success due to a personal desire to retain some form of privacy from the probing questions of fans and media alike. "I had some fans in Switzerland who wanted me to go over there for a holiday," explain Rita. "It was difficult because you want to be the person certain fans want you to be, but you can only be yourself. A similar thing happened with a guy in Bristol who gave me a thousand pounds for recording because he saw me washing up dishes in a restaurant and he didn't want to see one of his favourite musicians in such a predicament. People have done quite amazing things for me," continues Rita, "that is one of the reasons why I keep going because all that passion and belief people have in me can't be for nothing." With much anticipation for the next Rita Lynch album her loyal army of fans will not have to wait much longer because all that 'passion and belief' will be duly rewarded. Nathan Haines (Sugar Shack Records)