Diana Vickers has had an incredible few years. She first came to the public’s attention through the X Factor show and has come from strength to strength since. She bagged a no.1 album for her debut album, she’s launched her own clothing line, she’s currently dating a Burberry model, the acting world is being graced by her presence and she’s even completed her latest goal by finishing her second album.
Diana has been busy working away on the second album, which is due to be released in Autumn 2013. The positivity in her voice as she was talking about the making of the album and the end result, makes it obvious that Diana is very proud of the album and we can’t wait to hear it.
The first single to be taken from the album is the brilliant pop song Cinderella. We caught up with the lovely and down to earth Diana to see what she has been up to, to find out more about her second album – Music to Make Boys Cry and what her plans for the summer are.
Hi Diana, how are you today?
I’m really good thank you. I’ve been enjoying the lovely weather that we’ve been having and I have a half day off today, which is a bit of a treat for me, so I’m going to make the most of it!
You’ve got a new album out soon, called Music to Make Boys Cry, what can your fans expect from it?
Compared to the first album, I’ve developed a lot and got to the point where I’m really happy with my music and myself as an artist. This album is a lot more sexier and sassier, that’s what people have been saying! My influences of people like Blondie, Madonna have helped to shape my sounds and this album is a bit Kylie-esque too, it’s good pop music, but a bit more cooler I’d say.
Did you have more freedom on this album and have more input in the songs that ended up being on album and the songs that you wanted to make, compared to your first album?
Totally! I really wanted to lock myself away with another writer and producer to work together, to create something that I was really proud of and I’ve done that. I didn’t have anybody in my ear telling me what to do, it was great to have that freedom on this album and to work with some such amazing people – people who have written so many great songs – I’ve really loved the whole process of making this album.
Can you tell us a bit about Cinderella, which is going to be the first single off your next album?
Cinderella was the first song that I wrote for the album and I really love it. The video for the song is set in a big manor house, outside London. Me and my friend Jacob had so much fun filming, he was my love interest and we had so much fun shooting that day. We were running around this big manor house, getting up to mischief, then we ended up in this big pool in our very expensive outfits. It was chosen as the first song, as I think it’s a good representation of the album and I think it’s good to put a sort’ve all rounder song out there first, I think it’s a great introduction to the album.
You’ve done some acting work too – does that help with the making of the videos?
Yeah, definitely. I shot my second video for the album only yesterday, although I can’t tell you what song that is going to be yet! I feel that I’ve learnt so much by acting, I’m mush more aware of the camera’s whilst I’m doing my videos now and I’m much more relaxed in front of the camera’s, especially compared to when I first started out.
How have you found the acting process? Is that something that you’d like to do a lot more of?
I really love it and I really love the work that I’ve been involved in and I’ve been in the West End and I loved doing Little Voice, but right now I’m really concentrating on my singing and I want to put 100% into that. If the right role was to come along – I’d definitely consider doing more acting work for sure.
Do you think your musical influences have changed much in the last few years, from when you first started out?
Oh, totally! I mean now, one my favourite albums is Pink Floy’s Dark Side of the Moon, which I’ve been listening to since I’ve been with my boyfriend. During the making of this album, I was listening to a lot of Madonna, Blondie and Kylie and I’ve been listening to a lot of French music too. During my first album, I was just listening to a lot of male vocalists and bands with guitars, whereas now that’s changed quite a bit!
You first came to the public’s attention through X Factor, do you still get a chance to watch the show when it is shown?
Yes I do. I mean, I don’t watch it religiously, but I dabble in and out of it yeah and I’ve kept in touch with some people from the show, such as JLS, who are lovely lads.
You recently did a show supporting Olly Murs, who you have supported in the past and you’ve got a show with him coming up later this month, what kind of experience is that – what’s Olly like to tour with?
Olly is really lovely, we’re with the same management and I’ve known him for years. Olly is a really nice guy and one of the nicest guys in show business really.
What do you think has been the highlight of your musical journey so far?
My no.1 album was amazing, but for me, I feel that it’s taken a really long time to get to this stage and to get to this point in finishing my album and I’ve finally completed it and I’m really proud that it’s soon going to be out there and that it’s all happening. For me, I feel like this is the happiest I’ve ever been and that’s an achievement in itself.
What would you like to achieve musically in the future, what other goals have you got?
I really want to go to other countries with my music. I mean, the world is so big and there are so many people to meet. I really want to go to Japan, Germany, America and you know, there are so many places. There’s been talk of doing that with this album and I’ve got a good feeling about it.
As well as having a successful singing career, you’ve gained many other strings to your bow, including launching a fashion line with Very, do you have any future clothes designs planned?
I don’t have any plans really, I’ve kind of stepped away from all that and currently I’m just focusing on my album and my acting. If the offer came up again, I’d definitely consider it. I’m really into my fashion and being a pop-star is part of that. You have to have style and your own look and you go onstage wearing these different outfits and I really enjoy it. I enjoy designing and I get really excited about putting my outfits together, so it’s kind of a part of my job really too.
You’re really busy with all your acting and singing, do you get a chance to go home much?
Yeah I mean, I see my Mum loads and I try to go home at least once every six weeks, I’m quite good at that!
What’s the best thing about coming from Blackburn?
I think the thing that I really love about coming from Blackburn is that me and my sister are really grounded people. We know the real world, we’re from good ol’ Blackburn and it’s given us a bit of spice to our character!
How did you find the transition initially, when you moved from there, down to London?
It was a bit change at first and during the first couple of years, I didn’t really have a lot of friends and it took me a while to find my feet, as it is so big as I was so young. Now, I’ve got my own house here, I’ve got my boyfriends and all my friends here. Now, I find it amazing and the best place ever.
What are your favourite places in London to hang out?
I’m an East London girl. I really love to hang out in places like Shoreditch, Hoxton, Victoria Park and going to all the little villages. I go into Soho a lot too – it has some amazing restaurants. I used to go to Camden quite a lot too, as my boyfriend used to put on a club night there. In London, everyone has a part that they tend to stick to, be it North, South, West or East and I’m definitely an East London girl.
What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
I’m doing T in the Park festival, I’m going to be promoting my single and the album and I’ve got various shows coming up too. Then, I think I’m going to be off to Ibiza for a bit of a holiday I think!
Thanks for taking the time to chat to us Diana and good luck with your album!
Thank you for chatting to me – have a great day and enjoy the summer!
Cinderella is released on Sunday 21st July. Diana’s album Music to Make Boys Cry is due for release on 15th September.
