Interview: Journey South
- Posted on October 15, 2007 10:34 AM
- 0 comments
Interview By Zarina Raja
What better way to celebrate the return of X Factor Live than by diving into the past and seeing what previous contestants have been getting up to. X Factor is the largest televised, talent contest in Europe, drawing in a passionate and dedicated audience. They're not just watching to see It's not just about Sharon Osbourne's latest 'do', or Simon's cutting remarks - believe it or not, there's a stack of talent in there too (if you look hard enough). We got the chance to talk to Carl Pemberton, one half of Journey South, who came third in X Factor 2005.
Defeat didn't stop Journey South from marching straight to the top of the pop charts with their debut, double platinum album, Journey South. Brothers Carl and Andy Pemberton have had a busy year prior to the release of their new single What I Love About Home (which is out today) and their album Home which will be hitting shops on October 22ND. Not only have they opened their own record label, ANCA, but Carl has been off getting married and becoming a dad! We had a lot of catching up to do...
Your second album Home will be released on October 22nd. I know you are originally from Coulby Newham – where do you call home now?
Oh, still back in Coulby Newham actually.
Home never changes I suppose?
Yeah.
I know it is a long way off but while we’re on the topic of ‘home’ if you could choose anywhere in the world to retire to, where would it be?
Hmm, I quite fancy somewhere in Spain.
Why Spain?
The weather of course, there is some beautiful places too. It’s not too far either – about two hours on a plan.
Do you think you might move there in the future?
I don’t know. I haven’t really got any plans for it, but I don’t know – maybe one day, when I am old and grey!
What was the creation process like for your latest album?
Fantastic – we enjoyed writing and recording it so much. It is such an amazing thing to start with a blank piece of paper and finish with a song.
It must be amazing having something finished at the end – some thing that you can call your own?
Yeah, it’s so rewarding. We are really proud of it.
Were there any down points when you were making the album or any times when you thought it wasn’t going the way you wanted it to?
Sometimes, you sit down and think, OK, we have to write a song today. When you put yourself under this kind of pressure, it is really hard to write a song and it usually ends up not being very good. It has got to come from the heart, its got to come naturally.
And what do you do when you feel like that?
If it is not going well and everyone is getting stressed, then you just have to give it up for the day. There is no point in dragging it out you know?
Do you both write the songs?
Yeah, we both write and we both have a big say when we are putting the tracks together.
If one of you is feeling uninspired, do you both just leave it, or do you push each other?
Yeah, some days one of us will have a great idea and the other will just come in on it – we tend to just bounce off on each other.
Why did you choose to cover Desperado by the Eagles?
Well, it was actually Simon Cowell’s idea. I had always known of the song, but we had never done it before. It just seemed to work for us. The harmonies really suited us and it ended up going really well.
Are you still in contact with any of the contestants?
Yeah, Brenda was actually at our showcase last night. We just did a show case of our new album where we sung six songs, she said she really enjoyed it and was going to buy the album which is great – it was really nice to catch up with her.
What is your personal favourite song on the album?
It changes for me after having listened to it over and over again. At the moment it is What I love about home. It just about how we miss home when we are away – its really from the heart.
So, time to spill the beans – who was your favourite judge?
Well Simon was definitely our favourite. He is really successful and has a lot of knowledge; we also really liked him as a person. I have read his autobiography, its amazing to read about his success, it’s so inspiring. Sharon and Louis are both nice – we got on really well with them too.
It’s a shame you missed Danni Minogue this year isn’t it?
Uh, yeah, she is really…pretty! I have to be careful about what I say, my wife might see.
Are you going to be watching it this year?
We haven’t really got a chance to watch it this year I’m afraid.
It must feel strange watching it after you have been on it?
Oh, yeah – it is weird. I have watched the shows back that we are on and I can’t believe we were actually on that stage.
Local support for you was obvious – is it still hard to head down to your local without being swamped?
No, not really. We have been in the background for a year writing and recording. I also got married and my wife had a baby. He is four months old now.
Your parents were particularly sweet (and fanatical) during the show, would you say they are your most honest critics?
Definitely. If we have been out the night before and our voices are a bit croaky they will have something to say about that too.
Are you both mummy’s boys and dad’s lads?
I would probably say mummy’s boys!
Do you think your own son will be following in your musical footsteps?
He seems to love music whenever I put it on. It always attracts his attention. I would like him too, but if he doesn’t then that’s cool. I will support him in whatever he does – but if he id it would be good!
What can punters expect from the new album?
Good, heart felt songs in a rock/pop style.
Do you feel like you have changed a lot since you first started?
Not really. Influences always naturally come out in your music. We have been heavily influenced by Bon Jovi and I think that has come out in everything that we have written.
Do you still want to be in music in ten years time?
Oh yes, this is what I have wanted to do all my life.
As brothers – although you seem close – do you ever get on each others nerves?
Of course we do. We spend a lot of time together but we do get on really well. It would be impossible to work with each other if we didn’t.
Is there a pressure in the industry to look the part?
There is yeah. You have to be careful about what you eat and drink.
Do you ever get tempted to let go or are you quite disciplined?
It is hard because personally, I love my food. You have got to think of the photo shoot coming up or you could end up looking like a big pudding.
Is there anything you would change about the way your journey through the music industry has gone?
I’m really happy with the way everything has gone.
No regrets?
No. We have really learnt to appreciate all the amazing different things that have been happening to us.
What is the most memorable gig that you have been to as a fan?
Probably for me, it is a Bon Jovi gig. It was at the old Wembley, they were the last band to play there. They played out of their skin – I have seen them four times now but that was easily the best time.
What the most memorable gig that you have performed?
I think on my birthday last year. We were on tour and we played Middlesbrough town hall. When I was a kid, I used to go there and watch bands play, wishing that I was on the stage.
What has been the highlight of your journey so far?
There have been so many but I would probably say the headlining tour. The other obvious thing is when our album went straight in at number one.
Journey South's new single is out today!
Their album, Home, is out to buy on October 22nd.
Get your Journey South tickets here.
Have you heard their new single or seen the boys play live? Why not tell us your thoughts on Journey South or leave a message for them.
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