Lorde. Photo: Shot by Ophelia Mikkelson Jones
Kiwi popstar Lorde still can't believe the life she lives as she prepares to bring her Solar Power tour home.
"I do think of the album as very much about here, where we are from," Ella Yelich-O'Connor told Charlotte Ryan for RNZ's Music 101.
"It's very personal."
Lorde co-hosted the first hour of Music 101 with Charlotte today, taking her through her playlist of the songs that gave her great energy for getting ready.
Watch the video of Lorde's talk with Charlotte here:
The 26-year-old said she was preparing for her tour to be "quite emotional" and nerve-wracking - but in a different way.
"I love the show so much. The set is so beautiful. I am most proud of this piece of stage because out of anything I have done, I literally drew it on a piece of paper.
"I love living in the show. It's just totally delightful."
Over time, Lorde said her fear of performing on stage had eased - and therapy had helped immensely.
She no longer woke up the morning of a show filled with dread and stage fright.
But she admitted there were times during a tour where she and her team were exhausted and did not feel like performing.
"Often those are the best shows. Something is brought out of you in spite of yourself."
Caffeine also helped - something she had not consumed until last year.
Now, half a can of a sugar-free Red Bull helped beat some of the exhaustion.
Lorde and Charlotte Ryan in studio at RNZ Photo: Nick Munroe
Lorde, who was first signed at the age of 12 and said she started taking her music more seriously at the age of 14, said she felt lucky to be living the life she was - but contributed some of it to her upbringing.
"I was really raised being told I could do absolutely anything and I was special. I think that was a huge part of it. That wasn't something that I doubted, which I am aware is a huge gift. I definitely know people that had to arrive there instead of just knowing it as a given."
"I feel so lucky, I love what I do. I can't believe the places I've got to go, the experiences I've had. If this is it tomorrow, I would've had a great, great run."
Tickets are on sale for Lorde's Solar Power tour, which begins in Lower Hutt on 21 February.
Lorde's list of songs for getting ready:
Lauryn Hill - To Zion
Ensemble Trakia- Kaval Sviri
Haim - Now I'm it
Radiohead - Reckoner
Alex G - Runner
