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Kirsty Bertarelli interview

EF readers may recall Kirsty’s duet with Ronan Keating last year, which we gave a huge thumbs up to.

You may know the No.1 song Black Coffee, made famous by the lovely ladies of All Saints, which she wrote. You are likely to have heard a lot of songs written by Kirsty, which you didn’t actually know that she had written. In her teens, she was crowned Miss UK.

We think that it’s time that we got to know a little bit more about Kirsty Bertarelli!

Hi Kirsty, how are you today?

Excellent, thank you!

Can you tell us a little bit about where your musical journey began and when did you start to write songs and know that it was your vocation?

My musical journey began from my childhood, all the family singing in the car. Performing at the local amateur operatics. Writing poetry in my teens to learning how to format a song.  I knew pretty early on the thrill was singing your own thoughts, words. It’s always been a way to connect with people – it just comes naturally.

You’ve worked as a songwriter and have previously collaborated with several bands.  How different is it to writing for someone else, compared to writing songs for yourself to sing?

Indigo shores came about because I was supposed to be writing for other people, but the songs were so personal I couldn’t let go of them at that particular time! I’d be happy to write for others now the time is right.  It’s both equally rewarding. If it brings joy to the listener, then I’ve succeeded.

Who have you had the most fun working with, to date?

Every part of the musical process has been fun.   It’s important to have good people around you that encourage you and let you grow.

You co-wrote your new album – Indigo Shores with the likes of Tom Nichols (Kylie/Celine Dion), Mathias Wollo (Cheryl Cole/JLS) and Don Mescall (Ronan Keating/Sharon Corr).  What were they like to work with?

Great fun.  It’s wonderful and magical to write alone but it also pushes you musically to write with other people, it’s good to have people around that help bring the best out of you It’s important to be with good people who let you grow as a writer; people who don’t stifle you but encourage you.  Don was so enthusiastic about my writing he gave me great strength and Tom I’ve known for so long since I started his career with Black Coffee so he is very supportive of me and understands my writing process.  I always have a song in my head with my own lyrics.  Nick Mason joined the team with Indigo Shores and encouraged me to get even more involved in the production process and of course to have him drumming on some of the tracks is a real honour and amazing).

What sort of songs can we expect from your new album?   

Rescue Me was the first song I wrote for the album.  It’s very deep and sombre.  From there on I explored different phases of my life that were significant.  I sometimes just wrote about something that occurred that morning.  As long as the feelings are real and unforced it’s about capturing a moment. The album is a journey of precious moments.

Tell us what There She Goes is about.

I wanted to capture the essence of youth, the first giddy sensations of independence.  I drew from my own experiences.  I did run off in the middle of the night with a heart full of wonder and adventure.  It’s about remembering these feelings and staying young at heart.

Did you have fun filming the video for the song?

So much fun and I loved performing with my band, the surroundings were magnificent.

Can we expect to see some live performances from you coming up in the UK?

I’ve been busy singing live up and down the country at all the radio stations.  It’s what I love to do. I’m looking forward to going on tour.

To the outside world, you seem to have a tremendously fabulous lifestyle, living in Switzerland and you have been quoted as being the richest woman in the UK, what sort of title is that like to live up to?

I just go about doing my daily stuff! I’ve been promoting my album, writing more material, enjoying my kids, cooking for my family (it’s true!) I am of course very fortunate, which I remember every day.

Do you feel that people have certain perceptions of you which isn’t true?   

Yes in a way.  I just hope they take a listen to my songs.  Music is universal.  My songs are inspired by life’s aspirations, hopes, raw emotions and unconditional love.

You lead a pretty busy life and even have the time to support several charities, notably the Smiling Children Foundation and you play an active role with the Bertarelli Foundation, can you tell us a little more about these projects and what they mean to you?

Most recently, I helped with the first literary festival in Stoke, promoting creative writing and inspiring young people there with the presence of great writers.  Tristram Hunt, the local MP, has a great vision for the Festival.  All young people should be given the chance to be creative to be whatever they wish to be, and I have a number of initiatives in Stoke focussed on that aim, including with the local YMCA.  Also the work we do in life science, research towards helping the deaf to hear and those with spinal injuries to be able to walk again.  The scientists in neurological disorders are making a difference to people’s lives that are truly remarkable.  Through the Bertarelli foundation we meet some truly inspiring people, and I am learning all the time from them.

Kirsty’s new single, as seen below was actually shot two hours outside Barcelona and not in the Nevada desert, as it might appear, all due to clever camera trickery! We’re huge fans of her voice and hope you enjoy her latest offering, There She Goes and getting to know her as an artist, a whole lot more.

There She Goes is out now from the album Indigo Shores. Watch the video for There She Goes below:

Carys Jones
Carys Jones
I am passionate about everything any anything that involves music, theatre and the arts! I love interviewing artists and getting to learn more about them. When I’m not doing artsy things, you may find me watching rugby, singing with my choir and travelling to a new part of the world. Carpe diem.

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