Not before time

Life could have turned out differently for Imogen Heap if she hadn't been sent to boarding school after her parents divorced. She was 13 at the time, and had spent her childhood being classically trained in instruments including the piano, cello and clarinet. But the young Heap didn't get on well with the school's music teacher and instead of focusing on her classes she found an outlet for her musical talents hidden away in a cupboard.

It was an old Atari computer installed with basic music software and, after teaching herself the basics of sequencing, engineering, production and sampling, she says she became 'hooked on the idea that I could express, build and shape ideas with it'.

'For me, I just love every part of the process - from the little glimmer of an idea that pulls me towards it, to coaxing it out, to bringing it to its shiny completed existence. The stuff that goes on in between does involve putting on many hats, but really it's all under the same big one: to see the idea through to the end, to make it come alive. I like it to be done the way I like it, so I do it myself.'

Today, the Essex native is being recognised for what she calls 'left-of-centre, electronically sprinkled magic dust over orchestral strings, harps and things, with great lyrics'.

Heap has over the past decade ridden a wave of critical and commercial acclaim that reached a peak this year when she accepted a Grammy award for best-engineered album for her third release, Ellipse.

'The best thing about the Grammy for me was receiving recognition for the work I do on my albums other than singing. It really bugs me when people just assume as girl I was just 'the singer'. It's encouraging for the girls and also everyone who makes music in their own bedrooms. I believe it's spurred a lot of the tour I'm currently on, including the Hong Kong show' - which takes place on Friday night.