Patrick Wolf 'not doing things to be popular'

Patrick Wolf has said that he has not shifted to a more mainstream sound in the search for greater popularity.

The singer-songwriter previously revealed that upcoming album Lupercalia would not share the same industrial sounds of its predecessor The Bachelor.

Asked if the mainstream sound of songs like current single 'The City' betrayed his ambition for success, Wolf told Metro: "That's against what I am as a musician - doing things to be popular. But these songs do have a universal message. And I'm on a new record label, which is a major.

"I'm always open to see what happens with my albums - I'm happy if two people listen to it and I'm happy if it's two million, not that it ever has been. You never know."

Of his toned-down image, he added: "Doing all the touring, it took over - the hair extensions got longer, the make-up got thicker, my attitude on stage became really aggressive... I got into a really dark place as a performer

"I was really happy at the end of it to strip down to basics and try to find myself again as a writer and a human being.

"I went to a lot of therapy and did a lot of soul-searching, and that's what's happening on this album - letting that love into my life, taking off the layers of my character and letting myself exist in a more natural way."

> Click here to read our recent interview with Patrick