2009 looks set to be some year for Alesha Dixon. Her triumph on Strictly Come Dancing has ensured a resurrection of her faltering pop career with the release of new album The Alesha Show and top ten hit single The Boy Does Nothing. RealMusic Blog chatted to Alesha about recording her new album with pop svengalis Xenomania, talking too much, her nan feeding the crew on the set of her video and her penchant for getting stuff covered in pink diamonte stones…
Hello Alesha! Let’s kick things off with you telling me a bit about your super-upbeat current single, The Boy Does Nothing… I watched the video - did your time on Strictly come in handy?
“Absolutely - it’s helped me become a cleaner dancer. The song’s a very tongue-in-cheek track not to be taken too seriously! But also, it has a good message for women if they want to play it to their lazy boyfriends and it’s sure to make you get up and dance…”
The video was shot in Tottenham Town Hall - did you hope to go somewhere more glamorous?
“(Laughs) The record company spent a fortune on the video but we were filming it down in Tottenham Town Hall - we laughed about it all day! (Laughs some more) It was great though, because my nan lives round the corner so she came down and brought up loads of food, so everyone was full of jerk chicken, patties and my nan’s cake!”
Are you hoping to go somewhere more glamorous for the next single?
“I just have - we just got back from shooting the video for Breathe Slow in Vegas…”
That’s definitely a step up…
“It was, but it wasn’t glamorous walking down the Las Vegas strip in a tiny little dress! I was mortified - I thought they were going to use extras but then realised I had to do it. Everyone was going about their business on holiday and there was me walking down the street! But because it was Vegas, I kinda just blended in with the madness.”
You worked with the Girls Aloud production team Xenomania who are hot property in the charts right now - how was that?
“Xenomania are geniuses. I worked with them back in 2006 when I recorded my last album and Brian Higgins and the whole team have a no-nonsense attitude towards work - they’ve got a format that works and they tap into the artist they’re working with and bring the best out of them.”
I hear they’ve got a nice studio set-up…
“Yes, it’s at Brian’s house down in Kent and it’s got the most amazing grounds, fantastic food and a pool. It’s like a proper family atmosphere and everyone who works down there is a singer - even the receptionists - so it’s a very creative place.”
You’re touring with Enrique next - are you excited about that?
“I’m not sure if I am now! It hasn’t been confirmed but I mentioned it in an interview and I got told off - but I’d love to obviously! My fault, I talk too much apparently…” (Laughs loudly)
You canned your first solo album by your then record company Polydor before it was released - have you used anything from that on your new album?
“I didn’t. I own the rights to them so we could have been lazy but I wanted to make an album that symbolises my life right now. The songs will get used somehow in the future, but there’s no rush right now.”
Going back a bit, Pharrell Williams asked for you personally in N.E.R.D.’s She Likes To Move video - how was that?
“It was one of the most amazing and scary things I’ve ever done and I was scared I’d mess it up! But Pharrell was lovely and gave me tons of advice about the industry and what artists to listen to. I still pinch myself about it because I can’t quite work out how it happened to this day!”
Mis-teeq had a successful career - are you still in touch with the other girls?
“Yes - both congratulated me on the success of my single. I spoke to Su-Elise the other day - she’s out in Australia as a reserve for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. She’s opening up her own stage school and Sabrina’s still singing, so they’re both doing well.”
Would you ever do I’m A Celebrity?
“Never ever ever - I couldn’t eat those bugs! Plus, I need a reason to be on camera - with Strictly, it was about the dancing. But sitting around gossiping and revealing everything isn’t for me.”
Who would you like to win this series of Strictly?
“Either Rachel or Lisa - both are enthusiastic and have a passion for it.”
What do you do when one of your songs comes on the radio?
“If I’m in a car I get really excited and turn it up, but if I’m in a club I run for my life. There’s too much pressure! I was out on Friday night and the N.E.R.D. song came on and everyone was looking to me to bust some moves but I just sat down!”
What are you doing for Christmas?
“Just chilling out at home catching up with friends and family, and then I’m off to Thailand in January to see my dad.”
What would be your ideal Christmas present this year?
“A pink diamonte laptop.”
Is there such a thing?
“Yes! I found a company who do it and they covered my microphone in pink diamonte stones. I’ve done my telephone too so now I need a laptop!”
Finally, what’s the most played song on your MP3 player right now?
“Sex On Fire by the Kings Of Leon.”
Watch the video for The Boy Does Nothing below…
Alesha Dixon’s album The Alesha Show and single The Boy Does Nothing are both out now, and second single Breathe Slow is out at the end of January.
(Clare Lydon)
