Bat for Lashes

Bat for Lashes Artistfacts

  • October 25, 1979
  • Bat For Lashes is Natasha Khan. Her father is a Pakistani who moved to London and married an Englishwoman.
  • Natasha Khan comes from a squash-playing family. She has attributed some of her early creative spark to hearing the crowd's applause at professional squash matches featuring her former-professional-squash-playing father, Rehmat Khan. He went on to coach her mother's cousin, Jahangir Khan, who is considered one of the greatest squash players in the history of the game.
  • According to an interview with Q magazine, Khan says she has "no latent talent" for squash.
  • Khan's world fell apart when her father home when she was 11. She found comfort in nursing a horse abandoned in a nearby field; her love for the equine species has inspired several of her songs including "Horse and I," the opening track on her debut album.
  • She studied music and visual arts at the University of Brighton, and she then taught at a nursery school. Khan dedicated her spare time to developing songs, recording demos and gigging in Brighton.
  • Natasha Khan's debut album, Fur and Gold, was met with critical acclaim and received a nomination for the 2007 Mercury Prize. She was also chosen by The Guardian as one of the newspaper's women of 2007, a significant accolade as Khan was the only musician to appear on their list.
  • Uncut Magazine asked Natasha Khan what Bat for Lashes means. She replied: "It just sounded like the music to me. 'Bat' because I've always been obsessed with Halloween and nocturnal animals and subconscious realms. And 'lashes' because it sounds quite feminine but also a bit heavy metal. Also sadomasochistic!"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.