BWW Interviews: LOUISE DEARMAN About The Launch Of Her Album!

Hi Louise, and welcome to BWW:UK. The track listing for your new album is - how shall I put it? - eclectic, with songs originally performed by artists like Skunk Anansie, the Beatles and Alison Moyet...

It took such a long time to put this track listing together - and hundreds of Spotify playlists. We were toying with the idea of doing originals at first, and then my management and I decided to do an album of covers, but with brand-new arrangements to ease musical theatre fans into it. I don't want to be a pop star – that wasn't the intention - this is an album of theatrical songs from theatrical artists, like Annie Lennox. I think these songs are timeless and will appeal to people of all ages - it's important to me that everyone can enjoy it. It's music that I love with incredible arrangements.

So the theatrical element is important, giving you the chance to act through song.

Yes, but another challenge, funny as it may sound, is finding songs you can really sing. Contemporary pop songs don't tend to have complex melodies or lyrics. All these tie together really well.

Do you have a favourite track on the album, or are you not allowed?

It changes all the time, but I do love Squander, which was originally performed by Skunk Anansie. When it was suggested, I thought I'm not sure it's me. Skin, the singer, has a really rocky, raw sound in her voice. Even when I went into the studio, I had to think about how to make it suit me, take a break, and come back to it. And then when people have heard me perform it, everybody, from young to old, commented on that track. I guess that's a favourite. 

You're very keen to keep your young fans, which is refreshing - sometimes performers say they want to move on to a more "grown-up" audience... 

Oh, that's not for me, not at all. I'm determined to keep my fans and invite new fans. I just don't want people to feel they don't like my music or sound. You can appeal to everybody. Older fans like musical theatre, but they also like the artists who sang these songs originally, and younger fans are introduced to people like the Beatles and Alison Moyet. 

And you've recently been supporting your former Fiyero, Lee Mead, on tour.

Yes, I did seven dates of his tour - he's such a lovely guy. We actually performed As Long As You're Mine, the love duet from Wicked, which obviously is a song Elphaba sings. I got a chance to use a different side of my voice, and the Wicked fans in the audience loved it - their Glinda, singing Elphie's songs!

A little part of me does want to play Elphaba! When people heard that I was auditioning for Wicked, people immediately thought I'd be up for Elphaba, because she's the one with the belty songs. I'm glad it's Glinda I played, though - she has the beautiful songs and the comedy acting. I just have a little bit of green envy - just one night I'd like to go up in the gravitator and sing Defying Gravity!

Now you have your own gig coming up.

Yes, at the Bush Hall on the 13th May. It's an incredible venue - it's mindblowing. I have Steve Balsamo guesting and the Tenors of Rock supporting. I'm really looking forward to it, and having fans, friends and family there while I sing songs I love singing.

Do you find it odd performing as "yourself" rather than a character, or does the theatrical nature of the songs help you through that?

It's really different, but kind of nice. I feel like I can drop the act and be myself. My banter between songs is like you're in my lounge - we have a giggle, and we all feel relaxed. I do always get nervous before every performance I'm ever part of, and with concerts you're aware they're there to see you rather than the show you're part of, so there's more pressure. 

And what will you be up to for the rest of the year - anything you can tell me about?

I'll be guesting on another tour, and also performing at Gay Pride events in Manchester and London. I'll also be at West End Live, and doing a few gigs promoting the album. I've been writing with Gareth Mason recently, and we'll be filming a pilot of out sketch show. I'm also setting up my own business, and I'd like to run some performing workshops. And of course the album will keep me busy! 

Louise Dearman's album Here Comes The Sun is out on May 7th, and she is performing in concert at Bush Hall on May 13th (for more information, click through to Louise's website).

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