New Rough Trade signing, ROX, has the kind of voice most X Factor contestants would sell their mother for. Raised in South London by her Jamaican mother, she developed her rich, natural style singing in church; and surrounded by music from an early age, was soon playing the piano and writing her own diary entry songs about love and heartbreak. With an album due out next year that was two years in the making and promises to be a soulful slice of reggae infused pop magic, we think ROX will be the a force to be reckoned with in 2010. In fact, having already sung with Mark Ronson (what he touches tends to turn to gold – no that we’re saying he ‘touched’ her or anything), we pretty much know it. We got our ROX off in, of all places, Starbucks…

How did the Rough Trade deal come about?
When I was speaking to all the labels I think Rough Trade was the last label I went to see. I think they basically heard my MySpace and called me into for a meeting. They’re a really great label and they’re really passionate about what they do so I’m really happy.

When’s the album out?
We’re aiming for a summer release. It’s sounding just the way I envisaged it. It took a while to get there. I spent two years writing and recording it and I’m really pleased. It has a nice classic feel to it and yet it’s still very current. I’m really proud of it.

Two years? Ruddy hell…
The recording started in about March this year. It took a long time and it was quite frustrating at times. We went to New York and did some tracks and then we came back here. I was just lucky to be with such a great label and management really. They’re all about the finished product and they never pressured me in terms of time, because they didn’t want to compromise the quality of the record. I’m very pleased. I’m just so excited to have finished it. It’s done now though, and I’m having a hard time letting it go.

How would you describe the record?
This album is mainly about love. Being in it, losing it, like a make up/break up record. I always try and write songs like the way I’d write a diary, you know, which can be quite dangerous. Some people wouldn’t really think that’s a good idea but for me it’s the only way I know how to write really. Some people might be like ‘What shall I write about today’ and then just write about any old thing, but for me I can’t just write about anything. It has to be something that inspires me.

So, it’s a break up album then?
Well, some of it is and some of it is about finding new love.

And are you in love at the moment?
I am indeed.

You sang with Mark Ronson. How did that come about?
Basically, his singer dropped out and they needed someone to stand in to sing ‘Valerie’ and I was called up literally on the day. I only learnt the song like two hours before I had to sing it. It turned out to be really fun. He’s a great musician. He is also really open. He’s always just saying ‘make this song your own’, you know.

You grew up around a lot of music and learnt to sing at an early age?
I grew up with my grand parents and my mum. Music was always around the house. My grandparents used to take me to church every week and that was sort of where I learnt to sing really. I didn’t really know I could do it before. I used to have to sing in the choir every week and I used to dread it. My heart would be pounding and it was like torture but gradually over the years I started to enjoy it and eventually found a real love for it. It’s completely different you know, singing in your bedroom and then having to do it front of a bunch of people looking at you. I definitely learnt to sing in church.

What instrument do you use to write songs on?
The first instrument I learnt how to play was the piano. I don’t think I’ve ever written a song just with my voice. It’s always started with an instrument and some chords and then I’ll build it up that way. It’s easier for me to do that because I know what notes I’m working with from the start.

There are so many female singer/song writers out there at the moment. Is that daunting?
I don’t ever see it as competition. I try to concentrate less on what’s out there and more on myself and on what I’m doing. I think if you’re good, you’re good, so there’s no reason to worry about competition. I try not think about that…

Did you see Whitney on The X Factor?
Oh my God, don’t even speak to me about that. D’you know what, more than anything I found it really sad; really, really sad. She used to have such an amazing voice. I never really used to listen to her but whatever kind of music you like you can never doubt that that woman can sing. Looking back all those years to now, it’s just like ‘what the hell happened’? What were the management thinking? I’d never let my artist do that, ever.

Rox plays Charlotte Street Blues
on 26 November