When Lady GaGa was a little girl, she would sing along on her mini plastic tape recorder to Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper hits and get twirled in the air in daddy's arms to the sounds of the Rolling Stones and The Beatles. The precocious child would dance around the table at fancy Upper West Side restaurants using the breadsticks as a baton. And, she would innocently greet a new babysitter in nothing but her birthday suit.

That goal might seem lofty, but consider the artist: GaGa is the girl who at age 4 learned piano by ear. By age 13, she had written her first piano ballad. At 14, she played open mic nights at clubs such as New York's the Bitter End by night and was teased for her quirky, eccentric style by her Convent of the Sacred Heart School (the Manhattan private school Nicky and Paris Hilton attended) classmates by day. At age 17, she became was one of 20 kids in the world to get early admission to Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Signed by her 20th birthday and writing songs for other artists (such as the Pussycat Dolls, and has been asked to write for a series of Interscope artists) before her debut album was even released, Lady GaGa has earned the right to reach for the sky.

It's been a while since a new pop artist has made her way in the music industry the old-fashioned/grass roots way by paying her dues with seedy club gigs and self-promotion. This is one rising pop star that hasn't been plucked from a model casting call, born into a famous family, won a reality TV singing contest, or emerged from a teen cable TV sitcom.

I hear you're touring with New Kids On The Block. How is it going?

It's amazing, I love performing and travelling up and down the country. It's been a great experience so far. We're about to go to San Diego.

Did you attend the American Music Awards?

I wasn't able to because I was working all day but I did a set at the after party which was really fantastic and went well. It was for my record label so it was good to do something to support them.

How long had you been working on your album The Fame?

About two and a half years. I did most of the writing and producing myself because I wasn't actually signed by Interscope at that time; I've been with them for a year now. I was just meant to be with Interscope. They're so wonderful and really let me do my thing in the studio. All of the singles we're putting out now, I wrote.

Your singles have been upbeat so far. What else can we hear on the album?

The Fame is a concept record. The album is inspired by an idea about fame, pop culture, fashion and New York. As a young person in America I believe we can experience fame on our own without being a celebrity or having paparazzi follow us. It's about wearing your heart on your sleeve and having people know who you are and want to know who you are.

Are there any slow songs on the album?

Brown Eyes and Paper Gangsters are two of them. I did a few slow songs and 70's glam inspired songs.

Did being in a performing arts school influence what you do today?

Absolutely, I'm a theatre girl. I was studying theatre, dance, film, acting, lighting design and stage design. I was also an art student and studied Art History.

Are the music videos for Just Dance and Poker Face your idea?

Yeah, I designed the clothing. Some of the stuff is pulled from different designers but I like to find new designers or design my own. I can't tell you what I'm making right now for my next video because I don't like to give away my secrets but I'm inspired by the 70's. I can't even tell you what the next single is going to be!

Have you always been interested in fashion?

Oh yeah, since a very young age I've been really into being creative and artistic. I love making and designing things. I wouldn't say my parents forced me into it but they really gave me the opportunity to experience culture.

Were your family into music and fashion?

My parents were very into music but I wouldn't say so much fashion. I came from a family of variety. My mother was a renaissance woman, she was in theatre, and my dad was in the technology and Internet business. That's why I'm so technology savvy as well.

Who are your favourite high fashion designers?

I love Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld, Pu and Yves Saint Laurent.

What are your tips for being fashionable on a budget?

A plain white t-shirt is always good. You can get some scissors and cut it up to make it rock.

The shades from your album cover are inventive. How was that done?

It's meant to look like ice but it isn't. It's something we actually made. It's not photo shopped or anything; it's an actual installation piece. I don't believe doing anything superimposed. I don't do that in my videos either. If you ever see something lighting up or glowing in my videos it's most likely to have been done in the studio.

I heard that Madonna is one of your influences. Would you still like to be performing when you are 50 years old?

Yes, no doubt. I don't do this for a quick orgasm of fame, I'm going to be doing music until I die.

Website: www.ladygaga.com