INTERVIEW - Alison Moyet
- Posted on October 8, 2007 11:16 AM
- 3 comments
Interview by Zarina Raja
It's not every day you get the chance to question the likes of Alison Moyet. The Essex born singer began her musical career in a number of punk rock, pub rock and blues bands and later joined Vince Clarke (Depehce Mode) to form Yazoo. Two albums and several hits later, Moyet took a turn down the solo path and emerged with a backlog of hits and a West End theatre role or two under her firmly tighetened belt.
We nabbed a moment of Alison's time ahead of the release of her new studio album 'The Turn' (released on Monday, 15th October) and the single 'One More Time' (Monday 8th October). Catch her during her upcoming gigs... and while you wait, wrap your eyes around the responses from a woman with overpowering talent and intergrity.
Your passion for your music is patently clear – what was the defining moment in your life when you decided that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I never really was planning for a career in it. I expected to get a job and do a bit on the side as a semi-pro. Be a part of the pub-rock scene like Dr Feelgood and Wilco Johnson. I became a pop star by a turn of fate and then played with the cards I was dealt.
I know that when you were younger, you were in various punk bands – what was it like being a part of the original punk scene in the 70’s and 80’s?
It was absolutely fantasic. We were making it it up as we went along. Had gigs in car parks and youth clubs and every night it was our whole gang together, taking the stage by turn. Next meeting always by word of mouth. We had a local fanzine that drew all the bands together and there was always someone on a corner to warn you which way the Teds and the Skinheads were blowing in from.
What do you think of recent Punk bands – do you think they are still as good as they used to be?
It's not my place to judge the current crop. It is righfully and naturally a youth scene. If the bands speak to their own then they are doing it right.
You have moved through punk and into electro and then on to a more poppy phase, do you think that genre wise, your music will change again?
My music has been influenced by everything my 46 years have seen and that which came before. My genre changes constantly and always will while I am working, although the trasitions may be more subtle to the eye these days. It is not that we stop changing, it is that our changes are no longer under a magnifying glass when we move beyond the front line.
If you hadn’t have entered the music industry, what direction do you think your life might have taken – what do you think you may have been doing now?
I was studying to become a piano tuner. Knowing me I would have changed with the wind several times and still not be sure of where I belonged.
How was it going on to work with Vince Clarke from Depeche mode? Are you still in contact now?
It was exciting and unexpected. It was amazing to be doing it rather than just talking pipe dreams. We didn't see each other for many years and still don't as he lives in America.. but we are in touch more often now.
Is there anyone that you wish you’d had the chance to work with or would like to work with in the future?
The only ambitions I have are artistic ones these days. I would always be open to something completely unexpected. I am attracted to no one's star.
Your new album The Turn is going to be released in the next few weeks. What is the significance of the title?
The Turn is a dark thing. It is he who has to turn it on and turn it out and turn it off. It speaks of struggle and rejection and disrespect and nothing surprises a Turn.. It is also a term used in magic...the transformation of something ordinary into something wonderful. It is too, a term I use in jest to connect myself to my knowing and understanding fan base.
Do you approach creating an album any differently to how you would have done 20 years ago?
There are some changes, although they have been gradual so it is hard to judge when and why. Initially there was more writing in the studio and when I collaborated it was together in a room. These days I prefer to do my writing alone. Either from scratch of from tracks that I am given. It has gone full circle in some ways. When I started in Yazoo we were left to our own devices. Later the record companies got overly involved. Now it is back to autonomy and I am happier that way.
Can you sum up what you were aiming for when creating The Turn?
I wanted an album of crafted song. That showed both restraint and passion. Was lyrically intellegent but not oblique for its own sake. We began with our eye on Chansons, Roy Orbison, Torch song...and then moved out, fraying the edges.
You have released so many great tracks and albums over your musical career - which one is your personal favourite and why?
That is always too hard to say because things mean different things to us at different times. We all imagine that we love our new love better than any other before it, but that is often because we have forgetful minds. My favourite albums are The Turn and Hometime. The song writing on both to me has moments of true brilliance and have been better realised than some of the earlier records. But there are a good few songs over the years that I am extremely proud of and not all hits. Yazoo of course will always be special because of its then newness and the wonder that young open minds bring to a project.
I know that you enjoyed working in theatre – did you ever consider moving on to an acting career and pushing your music aside?
I would never push one thing aside for the other. It is because of a restless spirit that I ever set my hand to something new. I don't want a career in anything. Artistic expression is a vocation and when the stage holds no more appeal or finds none in me ..I will go to art school.
If you had to name one musician as your biggest influence or inspiration, who would it be?
I have been influenced by everything and nothing and mindlessly
Do you still get nervous when you perform, even though it must be second nature to you?
Mostly, but only a little, more so when I am being recorded live and then the heart pounds and the throat constricts.
A question we always like to ask at Seatwave is what is the most memorable concert that you have been to as a fan?
Ah...me and my memory are not reliable bedfellows. Harry Chapin – Ravinia 1976. Buzzcocks at The Roundhouse '78 maybe. The Fabulous Thunderbirds and I can't tell you where or when..
Alison will be performing tracks at London's Pigalle Club on 15th and 16th October, with a warm-up gig at The Stables in Milton Keynes on 14th October.
Do you have a message for Alison Moyet? Post it in our comments section.
Want more? Check out the official Alison Moyet website.
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Comments (3)
Keith Smith
I saw Alison sing and act in the west end not so long ago and I thought she was as good as ever. Sometimes her music is a little bit laden for me, but I do see where she's coming from. I though this was an insightful interview. More of the same please!
Posted on October 9, 2007 11:27 AM
BLUE
I have been a fan of Alison moyet and have follwed her long career, my fav track of all time is stay such a powerful number!
I would like to know if Alison is going to have a concert in London sometime soon?
I would also like to say a very very big thankyou for all the years of pleasure that her music has given to me over the years a voice that is pure magic
regards
Blue
Posted on November 23, 2007 1:33 AM
ViDzung Tran
Finally, I was at the Apollo Theater on June 19th, 2008 for Alison Moyet and Vince Clark. Wonderful performance. I would like to know when Alison Moyet will be in concert in London or in the USA? Thank you so much for all those great voice and tunes over the years.
Posted on June 27, 2008 12:06 AM
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