Denise van Outen has by no means been one to face nonetheless. From dazzling audiences in musicals Chicago, Inform Me On A Sunday, and Some Lady I Used To Know, to lighting up tv screens and radio airwaves, she’s constructed a profession on reinvention — at all times delivering along with her signature sparkle, and confident attraction. Now, she’s getting into a brand new highlight with the discharge of her debut album, ‘A Little bit of Me’ — a heartfelt assortment that brings her love of storytelling, nostalgia, and authenticity to the forefront.
Mixing exemplary vocals with a contact of theatrical aptitude, the emotionally charged file serves as an extension of the Legally Blonde stars 2022 autobiography of the identical title, and displays the highs, lows, and life classes which have formed her each on and off the stage. It’s private, playful, and unmistakably Denise: equal components glamour and grit, confidence and vulnerability.
As we sit down with Denise, she opens up about rediscovering her voice, discovering pleasure within the inventive course of, and why this album actually captures — because the title guarantees — a little bit of who she actually is.
Denise, ‘A Little bit of Me’ is out TODAY! How does it really feel to be lastly releasing your debut album?
Have you learnt what, I’m truly feeling actually excited! You’d suppose I’d be a bag of nerves contemplating that is one thing I’ve by no means actually finished earlier than, however I’m truly not, I’m simply completely happy that it’s out and I can’t wait for everybody to listen to it. Clearly I’ve launched musical theatre soundtracks and a few standalone singles previously, so I’ve gone by means of the entire promo / launch week cycle earlier than and (due to this fact) know what to anticipate, however I’ve by no means put out an album that’s simply me being me, so I suppose that feels just a little nerve-wracking. I’m assured that my viewers will know the vast majority of the songs on the file although, so possibly that takes the stress off just a little bit… I don’t know, I’m not overthinking it (laughs). I’m simply actually pleased with what I’ve created, and I’m having fun with the second.
You’ve loved nice success in nearly each sector of the leisure trade, however music appears to be the factor that at all times attracts you again. Deep down, was making an album one thing you at all times knew you’d do in the future?
Yeah, I feel so. Part of me needs I’d experimented and recorded extra music after I was youthful, however on the time when these sorts of presents have been introduced to me, it by no means felt proper to simply accept them. Why? Primarily as a result of I didn’t ever actually need to be a popstar (laughs). Don’t get me improper, I completely love pop music, however I at all times felt… properly, truly I knew, that my voice was higher suited to extra classical kinds of music, moderately than pop or dance. However I don’t suppose anyone was fairly prepared to simply accept me in that world again then; I used to be the enjoyable, bubbly lady on the TV, and other people didn’t see me as being something apart from that — which is ok, I get it. There was additionally a interval within the 90s when it appeared like everybody on TV was bringing out a file, and I didn’t need to be seen as leaping on the bandwagon or copying what my friends have been doing. It felt a bit predictable, and anticipated, and again then I didn’t like that, I wished to go in opposition to the grain just a little and never play it secure.
Was there a selected second or expertise that made you need to make this file now?
Have you learnt what’s attention-grabbing? So I did the very first collection of The Masked Singer and — I’m undecided if anyone is aware of this — however behind the scenes, the contestants participating within the present are put into two classes, singers, and non-singers, and I used to be put within the non-singers class. I keep in mind form of smiling to myself about it, considering, that’s bizarre as a result of I’ve finished exhibits within the West Finish and on Broadway, I’ve launched singles, I’ve finished duets with individuals like Andy Williams and Russell Watson, and I’ve labored with Andrew Lloyd Webber on a one girl present that was ALL singing… however I’m nonetheless not seen as a singer by some individuals. So possibly doing this album now’s my manner of displaying individuals what I can do (laughs). No I’m joking, I’m not doing this to show something to anybody. I’m not anticipating to promote 1,000,000 data, or rating a serious chart place — I imply, that may be good, however I have a look at this challenge as extra of a continuation of my ebook, and a approach to launch the tour I’m doing subsequent yr.
Earlier than going into the studio, did you’ve got an concept or a set imaginative and prescient for the fashion of music you wished to make?
As a result of my coaching and background is musical theatre, I knew I wished the music to have a theatrical really feel to it. I’ve at all times been into my ballads, and songs that lyrically have some form of emotional, melancholy attachment to them, and I really like taking basic pops songs, stripping them again and turning them into one thing fully completely different. So let’s discuss ‘The More durable I Attempt’, which an actual 80’s basic by Brother Past. The unique is admittedly upbeat, melodic and completely happy sounding, however while you hearken to the lyrics, they’re truly fairly unhappy. So we determined strip again the manufacturing, add some piano, and strings and beautiful harmonies, and switch it right into a little bit of a torched love tune — and I find it irresistible!
There are 9 million fantastic songs on this world! How on earth did you go about attempting to resolve which tracks to file?
For me it was all about discovering, and recording songs that outlined particular moments in my life. I keep in mind initially of this entire course of, sitting down to put in writing an inventory of potential tracks to cowl, and eager about it now, they’ve truly all ended up on the album! So for instance, after I was doing Chicago on Broadway and residing in an residence overlooking Central Park, I used to play the Barbra Streisand model of ‘New York State of Thoughts’ on a regular basis. At any time when I hear that tune now, I’m transported again to that precise second, and I can keep in mind precisely how I used to be feeling, and what I used to be going by means of. A tune like ‘Promise Me’ by Beverley Craven jogs my memory of being younger, and beginning speak to boys for the primary time (laughs). Again then we didn’t have good telephones or social media, so for those who made plans to go on a date with somebody, you’d have to rearrange a time and place to fulfill, after which simply hope he’d flip up! It wasn’t like you possibly can textual content him or test his Instagram story to ensure he was on his manner, you actually simply needed to wait. And I don’t thoughts telling you, there have been quite a few occasions I used to be stood up, and I by no means discovered why! So ‘Promise Me’ was a tune I’d play after I was feeling a bit heartbroken and rejected (laughs).
That sounds brutal…
I do know! However have you learnt what, in a humorous manner, it was truly simpler courting again then, as a result of all the pieces was a bit extra clear lower. When you’d been stood up, chances are high you’d in all probability by no means see that particular person once more, so it was simpler to recover from the frustration and transfer on. However with social media now, there are such a lot of other ways to maintain tabs on individuals, so it may well really feel like there’s no escaping somebody who’s damaged your coronary heart.
Denise van Outen — Promise Me
Has it been good to sing these songs as you, and never a personality?
Yeah, it has truly. At first it was a bit bizarre, as a result of as you’ve form of mentioned, more often than not after I sing, I’m singing as another person. It’s humorous, each time I hear again to the ‘Inform Me On A Sunday’ album, I can hear sure inflections and textures of my voice that I wouldn’t essentially use if I used to be singing as me, however I made these vocal decisions as a result of that’s what was required to assist convey that specific character to life. So yeah, it’s been liberating actually, and fairly good to only be me — it’s made a pleasant change.
How would you describe your relationship with songwriting?
I’ve actually fallen in love with songwriting over the past couple of years. It’s so cathartic, and an effective way for me to specific myself… it’s a bit like a free type of remedy (laughs). I co-wrote one tune on the album and I’m actually, actually pleased with the way it turned out.
Sure, the title observe ‘A Little bit of Me’. Denise, it’s gorgeous…
Ah thanks, I’m actually glad you prefer it — I wrote that tune from the guts, I actually did. It’s scary to be so open and sincere in a tune, since you’re mainly baring your soul to the world, and letting everybody know precisely the way you’re feeling — that may convey plenty of judgement and scrutiny to your door. However I used to be at a degree in my life the place I used to be struggling… I actually wasn’t in an awesome place, and I wanted to discover a approach to make sense of all the pieces that was taking place to me. I’ll be completely sincere with you, I used to be having remedy on the time, and the therapist I used to be working with urged I’ve a go at writing a tune as a approach to launch all of my ideas and feelings. And so I went into the studio, put pen to paper, and it actually, actually helped me. As soon as the tune was completed and mastered, I truly despatched it to her and he or she was like: “oh wow Denise, I wasn’t anticipating that!”
What feeling or message do you need to depart listeners with once they hear the tune?
That it’s regular to undergo hardships in life and relationships. Anytime you’re in love, or falling out of affection, you’ll really feel weak and that’s okay. Even for those who’re in essentially the most loving and dedicated relationship ever, there’ll at all times be these moments the place you’re feeling uneasy and out of types — however don’t struggle it, simply go along with it, and be hopeful that issues will get higher, as a result of they are going to! On the finish of the day, I consider all of us need the identical factor in life, and that’s to like and to be beloved… and I feel that’s the general message of ‘A Little bit of Me’. Once I hearken to it now, I really feel fully in a different way to how I did after I wrote it, which is good as a result of it’s a form of reminder of how far I’ve come, and that I’ve discovered happiness inside myself once more.
Denise van Outen — A Little bit of Me (Official Music Video)
You’re heading out on tour subsequent yr, together with your brand-new solo present, ‘An Night with Denise Van Outen: Songs, Tales & All That Jazz’ — what can we anticipate to see?
Okay, I’m actually enthusiastic about this! To me, the present comes as form of a package deal, a trilogy, for those who like. So I did my autobiography in 2022, then there’s the album of songs that make up the soundtrack of my life, and the present can be a becoming a member of collectively of the 2. I’m actually wanting ahead to it! It’s going to be me, onstage, speaking about my life and my profession, sharing tales and anecdotes concerning the work I’ve finished, the individuals I’ve met, the individuals I’ve labored with, my private relationships, household life… all the pieces actually! I’ll even be singing songs that helped form all of these moments. I promise everybody who comes alongside can be entertained! I’m thrilled to be getting again on stage, I simply love singing and performing a lot — it’s what I need to do extra of transferring ahead.
You’re going to be on the street for a month! How do you suppose you’ll really feel being away from dwelling and your loved ones?
Properly, my daughter’s 15 now, so she’s at that age the place she’d moderately be along with her buddies than with me (laughs) so I truly really feel a bit extra comfortable about going out to work, and being away from her… simply so long as I’m not away for too lengthy! I’ve successfully raised Betsy as a single dad or mum, so for some time now I’ve not likely been capable of do plenty of the identical jobs I did earlier than I turned a Mum. Touring or taking over a West Finish present is a large dedication, you’re continually on the go, you’re doing eight exhibits every week, you’re both out and in of London otherwise you’re travelling up and down the nation — it’s loads, however… I find it irresistible and I’ve missed it. So like I mentioned, now Betsy’s older, and I’ve just a little bit extra freedom, I’m wanting ahead to seeing what alternatives are on the market for me. In a humorous manner it feels prefer it’s my time once more…
You’ve reinvented your self so many occasions through the years — do you see the ‘A Little bit of Me’ period as the beginning of a brand new chapter?
I do within the sense that I’m actually centered and severe about getting again on the market, and doing extra singing, stage work and dwell performances. I’m feeling compelled for the time being to return to my roots, and do the entire issues I beloved after I was a child. We sadly misplaced Silvia Younger earlier this yr, who was extra than simply my trainer and principal, she was an actual mentor to me. My household and I beloved her! We at all times saved in contact, and he or she was at all times so supportive. I didn’t simply go to her faculty, after which depart after I was 16, she stayed in my life and he or she turned an expensive household buddy. Being at her funeral and amongst all of my faculty buddies stroke a chord in my memory of all of the desires we had as youngsters. We labored, and skilled so onerous, with the hope that in the future that onerous work would repay and we’d “make it”. So I really feel like I would like to hold on, I don’t need to get sidetracked by different issues anymore (laughs). Singing and performing fuels me — it’s what provides me most satisfaction and pleasure, personally and professionally. So yeah, doing this album has felt like one other just a little reinvention for me, and I’m going to get pleasure from this subsequent chapter for so long as it lasts.
Denise Van Outen’s album ‘A Little bit of Me’ is launched immediately (Friday, October tenth) whereas tickets for her nationwide tour can be found at denisevanouten.co.uk
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