Tuning in Nelly

Three years ago, Nelly Furtado was just another aspiring teenage singer-songwriter daydreaming about touring the world, performing music. Then the Canadian minx's playful, poptastic hits I'm Like A Bird and Turn Off the Light propelled her to superstardom. With its eclectic brew of hip-hop, soul, folk and Latin pop it attracted legions of fans, won countless awards and sold millions.

It also paved the way for a whirlwind world tour, including a brief New Zealand encounter. It wasn't the worst way to kick-start the new millennium, especially if you'd just turned 20, as Furtado had.

"I toured Whoa, Nelly for two years and we could have toured for another two if we wanted. The tour was fantastic - I loved New Zealand, especially the Maori greeting at the airport. It was an amazing time because I love connecting with people. It's why I do this."

One unforeseen outcome of her debut's startling success was fame and fortune - and the accompanying jetset lifestyle, invitations to celebrity parties and glitzy premieres. It's not what she expected or intended.

"When I dreamt about stardom it was never glossy or glamorous. It was a romantic, bohemian thing, where I got to travel the world and gig," she says. "You have to remind yourself of that - and that there's more to this [music] than just the glamour, otherwise it can play on your mind.

"You've got to remember who you are, inside, and what your goals are, as a musician. If you do that - if you maintain your integrity and keep an eye on those goals - you'll be able to sleep at night, like I do.

"It's hard though, because a lot of things get thrown at you, like endorsements and movie offers. But I've kept focused [on the music] because I've always wanted to do this. It's a great job, a great place to be and I don't want to give it up by getting carried away by other things that aren't important."

Although she's wary of the pitfalls of pop stardom, Furtado's obviously enjoying her newfound status. But ask her why she's been so successful - and how she differs from thousands of other young, pretty and talented starlets - and she's stumped.

"Maybe it's something to do with my Portuguese and Canadian heritage. I grew up with two different cultures, so the way that I express myself is different. It's like having a different spin on life, a different aesthetic. I think that's appealing."

Her cultural diversity was definitely an important undercurrent on Whoa, Nelly but it's the foundation of her new album, Folklore. It is especially evident on Fora, Fresh off the Boat and Island of Wonder, which is about the Azores - her parents' birthplace.

"The Azores are wonderful. They're semi-tropical volcanic islands stuck in the middle of nowhere. Island of Wonder is about how they could be the remains of Atlantis," she smiles, recalling a local legend. "As a child, I felt a magical energy there."

Furtado admits that by the end of her two-year world tour she'd lost any such magical energy. Instead, she was exhausted, disillusioned and uninspired - until she returned to the Azores for recuperation.

"I was starting to lose it, because touring takes a toll on your body and your sanity. I was worrying about where I'd go with my music, because I felt stunted and bored of writing songs, on guitar, using the same old chords. Also, my voice wasn't going anywhere new. That was scary, because my worst fears are not being inspired and becoming complacent.

"Luckily, we ended the tour in the Azores and 50,000 people turned up - the biggest gig we'd ever had! It was great," she enthuses. "After that I chilled out there and got the ideas for the album. That's why the music's more organic this time around, with banjos and mandolins rather than an urban edge."

Folklore is a far more sombre, reflective and serious offering than her lighter, pop-tinged debut. It's also more accomplished.

"It is quite different from the first album. It's almost as if I was travelling down a highway and I made a left turn into the forest.I just dug a little deeper, because I wanted to show another side to myself. That's why there are songs like One Trick Pony, which says that there's more to me than you think - or have heard."

Like her new album, Furtado herself seems far more reflective, serious and sombre - although she still possesses a twisted sense of humour and infectious laugh. What's changed?

"I've done a lot of thinking and growing up since the last album. That happens in this industry, because you experience so much so quickly. Falling deeply in love, like I have, also changes you. It makes you want to be a better person."

In fact, Furtado credits her relationship with her boyfriend, Jasper Gahunia, her band's DJ, as a catalyst for change, but admits the underlying reason is becoming a mum, for the first time, just two months ago.

"Before, when I toured, it was all so unhinged and all about the music because I didn't have anything else going on. But now I have a work life and a home life, it puts things into perspective. Having a baby has made me appreciate life much more.

"Being pregnant also had an impact musically. I was preoccupied with what was going on inside me and became incredibly easygoing, peaceful and content, so the music suddenly became effortless.

"Before, I was such a control freak. I was completely anal about my writing. That's terrible for creativity."

The result is that Folklore is a more stripped-back, laidback affair than her flirtatious debut. In essence, if Whoa, Nelly was her party album, then her follow-up is her day-after-the-night-before comedown.

"Yeah, exactly. It's my hangover record. But I also think the difference isn't just what's happened to me, its also because there's nothing like the feeling you have during your first album.

"You're so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, because you're happy, enthusiastic and want to prove yourself.

"I listen to Whoa, Nelly now and I laugh, because there's a spunkiness that I'll never have again. It's because I was so excited about the future."

Furtado is still excited about the future, her music and touring her new album. But it's tempered by the responsibilities and practicalities of playing mum to her baby daughter, Nevis.

How's she going to balance music and motherhood?

"It's fine for now because I'm a person who thrives on challenges - and juggling work and being a mum is going to be a big challenge. But as for the future, I don't know.

"I'm still very restless - I have a restless soul - and there are so many places I want to see, things I want to do and people I want to meet.

"Maybe she [her baby] can come on the road with me and her dad, who's also in the band.

"That'll be fun - we'll be like the travelling Von Trapps."

* Folklore is released this week