Music Week's Stephen Jones talks to the X Factor star as she prepares for release of debut album.
AFTER you left X Factor last year how did things unfold in terms of knowing you wanted to get an album out and signing a deal with Syco Music to make this album?
It was a great opportunity for me to get a deal with Syco. I always wanted to get my music out there and I have a label and team that believe in me. I get to have say in the music direction too which I think was really important for me.
There were rumours of you signing with all kinds of other labels at the time, did you have other options to sign with other and what made you want to make a record with Syco?
I don’t really know to be honest. I was seeing all these stories flying about, but I am very happy to be with Syco.
How did you go about making this record?
As soon as I finished the X Factor I flew out to the States and started recording. I told them what I liked and what I didn’t like and they let me be the artist I wanted to be. The producers and writers I worked with were brilliant and totally got what I was about.
Who do you think this album will appeal to?
My album is like a jukebox and I like to think I have a variety of music that will suit everyone. There is a bit of pop, bit of rap, reggae and of course, the ballads. I didn’t want to make an album to suit a certain audience. I just want to share it with everyone .
Who have you collaborated with on this record?
I have worked with some of the best producers. From RedOne, Max Martin and The Runners to TMS and Naughty Boy. It was so strange that I was in a studio with these big producers and they are working with me. I also collaborated with Busta Rhymes and Mike Posner on two of my tracks. I am a huge fan of both of their work so It was amazing that I got to work with them.
What’s it like to get to work with some of these people?
I was so nervous at first. The first day I was in the studio was with RedOne. I was just sitting there thinking, ‘is this actually happening?’ There were all these big dudes hanging around the studio which didn’t help the nerves either. But, after 20 minutes, they literally made me feel like part of the family. I knew I couldn’t be intimated by them and wanted to show them what I’m made of too.
How did you find co-writing?
Writing is something I have always loved and wanted to do. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s a way of expressing yourself and showing who you are and what you’re about. Working with writers such as Savan (Kotecha, A&R) and Autumn (Rowe who has written with the likes of Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke) too.
What do you think of the album you have made?
I am very proud. I have been given an amazing opportunity and it was the album that I wanted to make. I think I did good for a 17-year-old girl from Malvern!
What does Simon and Cheryl think of it do you know?
Simon always gives me advice. He is really involved throughout the making of the album and he would tell me what worked and what didn’t. He said that he wanted me to be me and if there was something that wasn’t working, we would work it out together. We are all very happy with the album.
How is it to be finally able to get out and perform it?
Getting out there and performing my own music is the best feeling. I love being on stage with an audience and I’m just itching to get out there to perform more of my songs.
What do you think people think of you as an artist and how much does that influence you in terms of driving you in your writing/performance, if at all?
I always knew that I wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Like every artist out there, you either like them or you don’t. It just makes we want to go out and perform even harder for the people that do like me and my music.
Who chose Swagger Jagger as the first single and what do you think about the reaction in how it has polarised opinion?
We all made the decision that Swagger Jagger should be my first single. I am very proud of the track, it was one of the first tracks I recorded and I instantly loved it. I think the song lyrics highlight what’s happening now. People will keep writing/tweeting about me, even if they love or hate me.
AFTER you left X Factor last year how did things unfold in terms of knowing you wanted to get an album out and signing a deal with Syco Music to make this album?
It was a great opportunity for me to get a deal with Syco. I always wanted to get my music out there and I have a label and team that believe in me. I get to have say in the music direction too which I think was really important for me.
There were rumours of you signing with all kinds of other labels at the time, did you have other options to sign with other and what made you want to make a record with Syco?
I don’t really know to be honest. I was seeing all these stories flying about, but I am very happy to be with Syco.
How did you go about making this record?
As soon as I finished the X Factor I flew out to the States and started recording. I told them what I liked and what I didn’t like and they let me be the artist I wanted to be. The producers and writers I worked with were brilliant and totally got what I was about.
Who do you think this album will appeal to?
My album is like a jukebox and I like to think I have a variety of music that will suit everyone. There is a bit of pop, bit of rap, reggae and of course, the ballads. I didn’t want to make an album to suit a certain audience. I just want to share it with everyone .
Who have you collaborated with on this record?
I have worked with some of the best producers. From RedOne, Max Martin and The Runners to TMS and Naughty Boy. It was so strange that I was in a studio with these big producers and they are working with me. I also collaborated with Busta Rhymes and Mike Posner on two of my tracks. I am a huge fan of both of their work so It was amazing that I got to work with them.
What’s it like to get to work with some of these people?
I was so nervous at first. The first day I was in the studio was with RedOne. I was just sitting there thinking, ‘is this actually happening?’ There were all these big dudes hanging around the studio which didn’t help the nerves either. But, after 20 minutes, they literally made me feel like part of the family. I knew I couldn’t be intimated by them and wanted to show them what I’m made of too.
How did you find co-writing?
Writing is something I have always loved and wanted to do. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s a way of expressing yourself and showing who you are and what you’re about. Working with writers such as Savan (Kotecha, A&R) and Autumn (Rowe who has written with the likes of Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke) too.
What do you think of the album you have made?
I am very proud. I have been given an amazing opportunity and it was the album that I wanted to make. I think I did good for a 17-year-old girl from Malvern!
What does Simon and Cheryl think of it do you know?
Simon always gives me advice. He is really involved throughout the making of the album and he would tell me what worked and what didn’t. He said that he wanted me to be me and if there was something that wasn’t working, we would work it out together. We are all very happy with the album.
How is it to be finally able to get out and perform it?
Getting out there and performing my own music is the best feeling. I love being on stage with an audience and I’m just itching to get out there to perform more of my songs.
What do you think people think of you as an artist and how much does that influence you in terms of driving you in your writing/performance, if at all?
I always knew that I wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Like every artist out there, you either like them or you don’t. It just makes we want to go out and perform even harder for the people that do like me and my music.
Who chose Swagger Jagger as the first single and what do you think about the reaction in how it has polarised opinion?
We all made the decision that Swagger Jagger should be my first single. I am very proud of the track, it was one of the first tracks I recorded and I instantly loved it. I think the song lyrics highlight what’s happening now. People will keep writing/tweeting about me, even if they love or hate me.