Josef Salvat talks about sex, Sia and the Spice Girls

If you've seen his music videos, Josef Salvat comes across as an effortlessly cool pop star - stylish and moody.

But he has a confession. "I am a shameless Spice Girls fan. They're brilliant. Wannabe is a phenomenal song. What a tune."

The 1990s girl band are part of the Australian singer's diverse musical background, alongside opera and jazz.

"When I was young I listened predominantly to classical music," he says.

"Ballets and operas and stuff, as well as Billie Holliday and Nina Simone.

"Then I hit 10 or 11 and discovered the Spice Girls and Aqua and the first Coldplay album.

"Nirvana and Bjork came after that, but all my friends were already listening to them.

"I wasn't particularly cool."

We speak to Salvat before a gig in London days after the release of his debut album, Night Swim.

The city has been his home for the past five years, with a lot of that time spent making the record.

It's finally out.

"The album was done two years ago so to have it out is a huge relief," he says.

"I can move on with the rest of my life. It sounds really dramatic but that's how it feels."

Night Swim's songs are mysterious, sexually charged and atmospheric, but with a distinct pop edge.

Salvat has often spoken about not wanting to be pigeon-holed - both musically and in his personal life.

When the video for his single Hustler came out there was chatter about his sexuality because it featured him kissing a man and a woman.

But he doesn't seem fussed.

"There are always assumptions. Assumptions beforehand and assumptions afterwards. You can't do anything about it," he says.

"I don't understand why people are so uncomfortable about sex and why it causes so much shame.

"It's a fairly fundamental thing. It should make us happy and it's the kind of thing that I've been interested in.

"You live as you live and as you get older, people expect you to conform to the way they understand things."

As well as Nina Simone and the Spice Girls one of his biggest musical influences is his country compatriot, Sia.

She sent him a personal note after she heard his cover of Rihanna's Diamonds - which Sia wrote.

But he's been a fan for far longer than Diamonds has been around.

"I downloaded her music when I was 14. It was her album Colour The Small One and I listened on repeat for about six months," he explains.

"I don't know her personally, but I'm really proud of her. I always knew she was brilliant.

"She was making the best songs I'd ever heard and was far more interesting than 99% of other singers out there."

Sia's mainstream success came years after she first released music, which he says is proof that fame is "always around the corner".

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