Kate Nash Says It's Good People 'Hate' Her

Kate Nash has revealed that getting slated by critics gives her validation that she's doing something right with her music.

In an interview with the BBC news website, indie popstrel Nash said, "I want to say I don't care, but everyone's human and if people slag you off, it's not nice. However, I also think it's important not to be bland and if people didn't hate you, then people wouldn't love you either. So if you have people who don't really like you, then it's a good sign."

Londoner Nash's philosophising came as she prepared to release her second album 'My Best Friend Is You,' which came out on Monday, April 19. It's the follow-up to her debut 'Made of Bricks,' which was a UK Number One in 2007.

The new record has been produced by ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, and Nash has revealed that boyfriend Ryan Jarman from cult UK post-punk rockers the Cribs worked with her on the album demo. She coyly admitted that the experience of working with her beloved was "really nice" and that he plays violin on one of the album's hidden tracks.

Nash also sought to distance herself further from any comparisons with her early mentor Lily Allen, who first promoted Nash on her MySpace page.

Nash, who won Best Female Artist at the 2008 Brit Awards, said, "I don't think it's relevant anymore. Lily's done her second record and I've done mine. I think it would be a strange comparison now really."

Besides which, of course, while Allen is quitting music this summer, Nash is just getting started with the promotion of her new album.

As part of this, she'll be embarking on a nine-date North American tour starting on April 26 in Toronto, Canada, before returning home for a host of European dates and festivals.

She's also due to take part in the revived Lilith Fair travelling festival in the US later this year.