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 — all the time delivering along with her signature sparkle, and confident appeal. Now, she’s entering 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 document serves as an extension of the Legally Blonde stars 2022 autobiography of the identical identify, 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 elements 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 assume I’d be a bag of nerves contemplating that is one thing I’ve by no means actually performed earlier than, however I’m truly not, I’m simply pleased 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 up to now, so I’ve gone by 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 a bit of nerve-wracking. I’m assured that my viewers will know nearly all of the songs on the document although, so perhaps that takes the strain off a bit of bit… I don’t know, I’m not overthinking it (laughs). I’m simply actually happy 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 all the time attracts you again. Deep down, was making an album one thing you all the time knew you’d do at some point?
Yeah, I believe so. Part of me needs I’d experimented and recorded extra music once I was youthful, however on the time when these sorts of provides 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 wish to be a popstar (laughs). Don’t get me improper, I completely love pop music, however I all the time felt… properly, truly I knew, that my voice was higher suited to extra classical kinds of music, reasonably than pop or dance. However I don’t assume 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 folks didn’t see me as being something apart from that — which is okay, I get it. There was additionally a interval within the 90s when it appeared like everybody on TV was bringing out a document, and I didn’t wish 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 needed to go towards the grain a bit of and never play it protected.
Was there a particular second or expertise that made you wish to make this document now?
Have you learnt what’s attention-grabbing? So I did the very first collection of The Masked Singer and — I’m unsure if anyone is aware of this — however behind the scenes, the contestants collaborating within the present are put into two classes, singers, and non-singers, and I used to be put within the non-singers class. I bear in mind type of smiling to myself about it, pondering, that’s bizarre as a result of I’ve performed reveals within the West Finish and on Broadway, I’ve launched singles, I’ve performed 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 perhaps doing this album now could be my means of exhibiting 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 one million information, or rating a significant chart place — I imply, that may be good, however I have a look at this challenge as extra of a continuation of my e book, and a option 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 model of music you needed to make?
As a result of my coaching and background is musical theatre, I knew I needed the music to have a theatrical really feel to it. I’ve all the time been into my ballads, and songs that lyrically have some type of emotional, melancholy attachment to them, and I really like taking basic pops songs, stripping them again and turning them into one thing utterly completely different. So let’s speak about ‘The Tougher I Strive’, which an actual 80’s basic by Brother Past. The unique is admittedly upbeat, melodic and pleased sounding, however if you hearken to the lyrics, they’re truly fairly unhappy. So we determined strip again the manufacturing, add some piano, and strings and lovely harmonies, and switch it right into a little bit of a torched love tune — and I like it!
There are 9 million fantastic songs on this world! How on earth did you go about attempting to determine which tracks to document?
For me it was all about discovering, and recording songs that outlined particular moments in my life. I bear in mind firstly of this complete course of, sitting down to write down a listing of potential tracks to cowl, and fascinated by it now, they’ve truly all ended up on the album! So for instance, once 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. Every time I hear that tune now, I’m transported again to that precise second, and I can bear in mind precisely how I used to be feeling, and what I used to be going by. 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 sensible 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 satisfy, after which simply hope he’d flip up! It wasn’t like you would textual content him or verify his Instagram story to ensure he was on his means, you actually simply needed to wait. And I don’t thoughts telling you, there have been quite a few instances I used to be stood up, and I by no means discovered why! So ‘Promise Me’ was a tune I’d play once I was feeling a bit heartbroken and rejected (laughs).
That sounds brutal…
I do know! However are you aware what, in a humorous means, it was truly simpler courting again then, as a result of all the things was a bit extra clear lower. When you’d been stood up, likelihood is you’d most likely 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 will probably 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. To start with it was a bit bizarre, as a result of as you’ve type of mentioned, more often than not once I sing, I’m singing as another person. It’s humorous, at any time when I pay attention 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 carry that exact 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 a good way for me to categorical 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 proud of the way it turned out.
Sure, the title monitor ‘A Little bit of Me’. Denise, it’s beautiful…
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 carry a variety of judgement and scrutiny to your door. However I used to be at some extent in my life the place I used to be struggling… I actually wasn’t in an excellent place, and I wanted to discover a option to make sense of all the things that was occurring 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 prompt I’ve a go at writing a tune as a option 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 she or he was like: “oh wow Denise, I wasn’t anticipating that!”
What feeling or message do you wish to go away 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 all the time be these moments the place you are feeling uneasy and out of types — however don’t struggle it, simply go together with it, and be hopeful that issues will get higher, as a result of they’ll! On the finish of the day, I imagine all of us need the identical factor in life, and that’s to like and to be beloved… and I believe that’s the general message of ‘A Little bit of Me’. Once I hearken to it now, I really feel utterly in a different way to how I did once I wrote it, which is good as a result of it’s a type 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, along 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 type of a bundle, 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 will likely 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 in regards to the work I’ve performed, the individuals I’ve met, the individuals I’ve labored with, my private relationships, household life… all the things actually! I’ll even be singing songs that helped form all of these moments. I promise everybody who comes alongside will likely be entertained! I’m thrilled to be getting again on stage, I simply love singing and performing a lot — it’s what I wish to do extra of shifting ahead.
You’re going to be on the highway for a month! How do you assume you’ll really feel being away from house and your loved ones?
Effectively, my daughter’s 15 now, so she’s at that age the place she’d reasonably be along with her mates 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 mother or father, so for some time now I’ve probably not been capable of do a variety of the identical jobs I did earlier than I grew to become a Mum. Touring or taking over a West Finish present is a large dedication, you’re continually on the go, you’re doing eight reveals per week, you’re both out and in of London otherwise you’re travelling up and down the nation — it’s loads, however… I like it and I’ve missed it. So like I mentioned, now Betsy’s older, and I’ve a bit of bit extra freedom, I’m wanting ahead to seeing what alternatives are on the market for me. In a humorous means it feels prefer it’s my time once more…
You’ve reinvented your self so many instances over time — 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 targeted and critical about getting again on the market, and doing extra singing, stage work and dwell performances. I’m feeling compelled in the meanwhile to return to my roots, and do the entire issues I beloved once I was a child. We sadly misplaced Silvia Younger earlier this yr, who was extra than simply my instructor and principal, she was an actual mentor to me. My household and I beloved her! We all the time saved in contact, and she or he was all the time so supportive. I didn’t simply go to her college, after which go away once I was 16, she stayed in my life and she or he grew to become an expensive household buddy. Being at her funeral and amongst all of my college mates stroke a chord in my memory of all of the goals we had as children. We labored, and skilled so exhausting, with the hope that at some point that tough work would repay and we’d “make it”. So I really feel like I want to hold on, I don’t wish to get sidetracked by different issues anymore (laughs). Singing and performing fuels me — it’s what offers me most satisfaction and delight, personally and professionally. So yeah, doing this album has felt like one other a bit of 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 right now (Friday, October tenth) whereas tickets for her nationwide tour can be found at denisevanouten.co.uk
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