Rebecca Poole's alternative Bond theme has proved a hit on Virgin radio. The soulful singer talks to Will Gore about her career, Bond girl dreams and Amy Winehouse Will Gore: How did your success with the Quantum of Solace song come about?

Rebecca Poole: I have always wanted to write a Bond theme, probably just as much as I wanted to be a Bond girl when I was little, and people have often commented that my sound is Bond-like.

When I heard about the Virgin competition, I went straight into the studio and recorded with a film producer friend of mine called Guy Dagul. We revisited an old song which fitted the genre perfectly and the words just fell into place.

Quantum of Solace is not the most melodic lyric to ease in to a song so we were lucky!

WG: You’ve entered the Channel 4 Unsigned competition. How is that going?

RP: At this time I am waiting for the results. It is judged on a public vote and the top 50 acts make it to televised auditions.

WG: How long have you lived in Richmond?

RP: I grew up in Henley and moved to London four years ago. I fell in love with Richmond after one visit and moved to Richmond Hill a year ago. It is like a home from home.

WG: Who are your influences?

RP: I reluctantly confess I am self-taught and got my vocal education from the jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. My music is inspired by the more contemporary styles of trip-hop bands like Portishead and Zero7 and I’m a big fan of string and brass arrangements.

I’m also a huge Amy Winehouse fan. No matter what people say, she is an amazing lyricist, singer and writer. If you want what is inside, you have to accept the whole package.

WG: When did it all start for you as a singer?

RP: I sang from an early age and poured alot of angst-ridden emotion into my first diaries. This turned into poetry and then the songwriting came hand-in-hand. I remember recording my first bittersweet song into a cheap cassette player.

Not alot has changed, I just sing into my phone recorder nowadays.

WG: Where do you play?

RP: I have sung in the London jazz clubs, including Ronnie Scott’s, but these days I play on London’s songwriters circuit. The Cobden Club is one of my favourite places along with the well-known Halfmoon in Putney.

WG: Any embarrassing moments? RP: Singing at the Marks & Spencers’ Chrismas party and forgetting the words to their theme song Most Wonderful Time of the Year and then making them up to the confusion of partygoers. I thought my words were better but I don’t think they agreed. Oops!

WG: Where and when can people catch you?

RP: Various industry people are coming down to our next showcase at The Cobden Club on October 8. I am also flattered that Alan McGee has offered me a show at the Borderline on October 3.

For more information visit my vvspace.com/musicrebeccapoole or rebeccapoole.com