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Library - Miscellaneous
Videotech TV
M People's Heather Small releases her first solo album 'Proud' at the end of May. She's here in Videotech's Lounge to tell us what prompted her to go it alone. Does this mean the end of M People? To find out the answer to this and all your other burning questions, watch the video interview, or read the text version below.
[Note: a video of the interview is available from Videotech]
- Welcome to the Lounge Heather! Why did you decide to make a solo album?
I wanted a fresh challenge really. It's quite safe and comfortable being in M People, we've made our name, we've had success and we've had all kinds of awards. I joined M People when I was 25 and now I'm 35, and I wanted to see what I'd learnt over the last ten years. And I wanted to mark the millennium in some way and I thought the best way would be to do something on my own.
- How is your new album going to bbe different from the old M People material?
Well, initially people might not think that there is a difference because, you know, my voice is synonymous with M People. So it might take a while to sink in. One difference is that I've co-written all the songs, so it's very personal, the most personal album I've ever made. And it's also different musically, because there are quite a few influences in there. It celebrates the fact that I'm a black British person, and being British you're exposed to so many different cultures.
- M People all seem to be involvedd in different projects at the moment. Is this temporary or a bit more permanent? What do you mean by a bit more permanent?
Do you mean, is it all over?! (She laughs.) No, I've only worked with the guys in the ten years that we've been together, and we all just wanted to do different things for a while. We all know our strengths by now, so we wanted to work on the weaknesses a little bit. And I think if we go away and do different things when we get back together it can only be for the good.
- You're known for getting terriblle stage fright. How do you deal with it?
Well I don't handle stage fright very well! (She laughs.) I've got a ritual now. I always make sure that before a tour I feel physically fit. I do lots of vocal exercises and I look after my diet, I'm a vegan. My whole life revolves around being able to get on stage, I sound like a manic! But I just like to be totally prepared. I do find it quite traumatic though. Every time I'm backstage, I always say, this is the last time I ever do a live performance. But then when you get out there in front of the audience, all the fear evaporates and you think, oh that's why I want to do it.
- Your music has sometimes been crriticised for being relentlessly optimistic, what is your response to that?
Each to their own. M-People is going to appeal to some and not to others. I don't come from a privileged background. What would have made me strive, if I didn't have hope, and I wasn't optimistic? It doesn't mean my music doesn't deal with harsh issues. When I sing I want to give people a feeling of elation, to leave a show on a high. It's quite easy to make people to fell sad and sorry for themselves, but to make people feel that there's a better tomorrow, that's harder. There aren't that many bands that can do it and can do it well.
- What's your favourite M People ssong and why?
It's hard to say which is my favourite because there are so many. And for different reasons every song is quite dear to me. I really like ‘How Can I Love You More' and ‘Search For The Hero'….this is difficult! ‘Moving On Up'. Am I only allowed one!?
- Do you have favourite album?
That's like saying who's your favourite child. They all mean a lot to you. Which singers have influenced you? My major influences have been black American female singers. Aretha Franklin, of course, I love Gladys Knight, I like Nina Simone…people with a lot of passion and heart. I also like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Nat King Cole. I like people who have a distinctive style and who also don't rely on their talent, they push themselves to the limit.
- What do you think you would havee done with your life if you hadn't been able to sing?
It wasn't an option! When I was dropped by my record company with my first band I thought I might have to sing on the side and do a 9-5 job. I don't know what that would have entailed. But not singing is definitely not an option.
Reference: (http://www.videotechtv.co.uk/the_lounge/heather_small.html)
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