Page 23 - Zone Magazine Issue 021

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You’ve not just been a vocalist in House Music, tell us about some of your other experiences that lead to singing for Bizarre Inc?
I’ve been a waitress, a chef, I also worked in a bakery, and I worked for an agency. I’ve was a general dogsbody to anything they send me off too. I also swept the streets with a broom and a cart, and also for about 3 years I worked in a delicatessen and sold sandwiches in offices! Yes I was a 80s ‘trolley dolly’. but I can vouch for my old clients, that they were so proud of me when I finally, finally had my big break!
Where can we expect to hear you during the coming months?
In the coming months, I'm hoping to be singing on the beaches of Ibiza...
pre-house choon! And don't forget that Temptation was remixed in the early 90s and became a massive dance hit all over again.
How do you find juggling family life with touring these days?
I never tour these days. I make sure, since having my children that I never go away for more than three-four days. I try to fit everything regarding my work around the weekends. My boys are used to me not being around on Friday and Saturday nights. Sundays are usually a traveling day, as I have to get home, and prep everything ready for school on Monday! That's the joy of being self-employed, and freelance artist and dare I say... having good agents, as they work with you, so I never have to do anything I don't want to do.
There’s always a lot of press
Your recent release ‘Be Strong’ with
Marc Barnes has been causing a
stir, how did that come about?
I've got a new track out and I think he's going to be a really big summertime anthem. The producer is a great guy who lives up in Ayr in Scotland called Marc Barnes.
Marc bought my vocals which are readily available from a company called sample phonics. Apparently, he bought the vocals all in the same key with the same vocal tenacity throughout, and cleverly compiled a really catchy chorus. Which is so memorable and feels so retro as has all the ingredients of a typical 90s floor filler. Plus, the remixes excellent and keeps an edge that clubber will enjoy.
You’ve toured with so many huge artists over the years, you must have enjoyed touring. What were some of the highlights?
I have worked in the studio with many artists, but I only really toured for about eight years, with Heaven 17. Glen Gregory and Martyn Ware, were fantastic good fun live musicians to go on the road with. I really loved working with them because they absolutely make the backing vocalist Shine'. As me and Billy Godfrey felt a part of the overall sound.
I've also worked/toured with the Happy Mondays for two years. But I loved working with Glen and Martyn. Especially as I view them as the 'forefathers of house music'. If you get a chance to listen to 'Penthouse & Pavements'..that is what I call a serious
centred around the difficulties within the music industry and gaining success. Were there times when you felt like giving up?
There are many times when I thought of giving up, mostly because you had to be so focused, and it took me 10 years to get anyway. Plus, with in the music industry sometimes you can meet people who can take advantage of the fact that you're new to the industry and you're young, let's put it that way... it's an extremely competitive business, so you have to be really thick skinned to survive within it. You have to except that you will be turned down several and sent away or knocked back... but if music is in your blood, all as I like to say it's a part of my DNA. Then you could never ever give it up...
Do you have to leave it breathe it eat it during it never ever give up, especially if you really are talented... but the love of the music should be premier.
Is there an event that you’ve not
had the chance to perform at yet
and would love to?
Yes, I would love to be a part of the Hacienda classic orchestral night.... I know that 90s artists have been filling out arenas around the UK, where the 90's artist is accompanied by an orchestra. Just like a night at the proms, but all 90s classics! So all the classics that you grew up hearing, being sung live in a beautiful, fantastic breathtaking venue, that would be epic!
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" There are many times when I thought of giving up, mostly because you had to be so focused, and it took me 10 years to get anyway. Plus, with in the music industry sometimes you can meet people who can take advantage of the fact that you're new to the industry and you're young. "
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ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 23