INTERVIEW: Lee Mead
- Posted on November 15, 2007 6:07 PM
- 19 comments
You've got to hand it to Lee Mead. Not only did he win ‘Any Dream Will Do’, wow legions of fans with his Technicolor Dreamcoat and win the coveted ‘Rear Of The Year Award’ (now there’s one to put above the mantelpiece), he’s also about to embark on a solo career. It’s enough to make a mere mortal faint with fatigue.
We’re not one to pass up a chin-wagging session with a looker in a London member’s club, so it was with fan questions at the ready (yes, sent in by you) that we set off for a chat with Mr Mead. He turns out to be one of the most quietly spoken, polite gents we’ve ever come across. He’s not too quiet (nor tired) however, to play along with our lucky dip of questions. You can check out part one of the video interview below. First however, we chat about his new release ‘Gonna Make You a Star’. Oops, too late.
Before we get to the fan questions, tell me a bit about your new self-titled solo album.
Well, I couldn’t think of a name, so I thought I’d call it Lee Mead! No, it’s a good title for the first one. It is out on Monday the 19th November. We are just going to see how it goes really; I am pretty excited.
I hear you have an in store performance of three songs on Monday too…
It is two songs; I will be doing the single ‘Gonna Make You a Star’ and some signings as well. The single will be out on 3rd December.
What made you choose the first track?
It was a joint decision really. It is just an upbeat number. It is very me as well. It has got a live band feel and is good fun; it’s just a great track to do.
We had a few fan questions about that actually. Did you record with a live band?
Yes, it was all live band recording. That was the road that I wanted to go down because it has more energy to it.
Was it a long time in the making? I imagine that you are an extremely busy man, how did you find time for the album?
It was a tight schedule actually. I was doing eight shows as well; the show had been going for about three months. It was such a good offer that came through. I thought that it was a good time to do it as it had been six months since I won the programme, so it was a nice period to release the album. I put the extra hours in and learnt the songs. It has really paid off. We have cut no corners; there is a big strings section on there and it is good quality. The producer is very experienced.
Where did all your musical influences come from? I know you sing and dance, and there is also the theatrical side of things, but what was playing around the house as you were growing up?
I had no real specific artist that I followed. It is nice to have an eclectic sound really. If you have an interest in lots of varied music then it gives you an all over kind of feel. I was in to my band music like Green Day, Keane and Stereophonics; I can also sit there and listen to more contemporary stuff. It is just an over all vibe to be honest.
I guess you don’t get much time to go to gigs these days do you?
I don’t, no. It is a shame... I work evenings so that’s when most things are on. There are late night ones but I can’t do many of those when I have to get up early the next day.
What is the average day like for you? You must be so busy with all the promotion.
It should die down after Christmas. I am doing Children In Need at the moment too which I have been promoting. I do a lot of promotion during the day; whizzing round in cars all day, it is very fun, but it is nice t have some time to your self to.
I heard that you are having a holiday in January?
I can’t wait for the holiday. I am probably going to go to Thailand for two weeks; a beach holiday where I can relax. I’m looking forward to it; it has been over a year since I had a holiday.
'Gonna Make You a Star' is going to push you in a new direction. Can we expect a Lee Mead solo tour any time soon?
Yeah, I hope so! I am a realistic guy, it depends how the album is received. If it is received well, then potentially, there could be a solo tour after Joseph. We will have to wait and see.
And now for some questions from the fans…
And as promised... here's part two:
For a chance to win a masterpiece drawn and signed by Lee Mead, enter our competition here.
See Lee Mead in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
Keep your eye out for Lee Mead on tour tickets (if and when it happens)
Lee Mead's official site
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Comments (19)
Jen
That's a great interview...especially because we get to see and hear Lee!
Thanks so much for this, still hoping to hear whether he wants to share my duvet with me though...my question must be in the hat surely?
BTW...when is part 2 up?
Thank you for the Meadygoodness!
Posted on November 15, 2007 8:40 PM
Molly
omg my question got asked!! great interview!
Posted on November 15, 2007 9:03 PM
Shirley
Thank you so much. What a lovely interview. And what a pleasant change from the usual nonsense questions about his private life or his gorgeous curls. And how delightful that he candidly answered the questions the fans asked. Cant wait for part 2
Posted on November 15, 2007 11:02 PM
Vali
Really good interview thanks. So glad they decided to release the Album before christmas.
Posted on November 15, 2007 11:30 PM
Ringer
Thanks so much for this. Wasn't expecting the video. Liked the "pull the question out of the hat" bit. Waiting patiently for part 2 :)
Posted on November 16, 2007 7:03 AM
Jessie
Great interview, he is so sweet....loved the ending..
Posted on November 16, 2007 7:17 AM
Diana
Thank you - wonderful interview. Looking forward to part 2.
Posted on November 16, 2007 11:40 AM
Sue Farrar
Lovely interview and really good to have the video. Wasn't expecting that.
Posted on November 16, 2007 11:59 AM
Carly Chewter
awwwww he's so cute! He could cook me a roast anyday lol The interview's got me excited about him doing another CD when he hasn't even released his first one! strange...
Posted on November 16, 2007 4:16 PM
HW
Brilliant interview especially the video. Well done to the interviewer for giving him time to think about his replies, as he always comes across as very honest and thoughtful and not the sort of person to give glib answers. A lovely man and fabulous performer.
Posted on November 16, 2007 4:20 PM
Ruth L
Really nice touch, actually conducting the interview on video. Hurry up with part 2 please!!!
Posted on November 16, 2007 8:52 PM
Helen
Thank you so much for putting my question into the hat! Lee pulled it out first.. I was soooo excited.. He is lovely and really seems to answer the questions as truthfully as he can - the answers seem natural not staged. Great guy! Keep on living your dream for as long as you want to...xx
Posted on November 17, 2007 3:25 PM
NL
omg wow... ive seen joseph and he is amazing!!!
i love the video... he has such a nice voice.
shame he is only doing joseph for a year.. i will only have seen it twice and i want to see it more!!!
Posted on November 18, 2007 11:21 AM
Vicki
So enjoyed this interview especially as my question was the first one asked in the second part of the video.Thankyou Lee and the interviewer for giving all your fans this opportunity to hear your answers. You are very generous with your time and it is much appreciated.
Posted on November 19, 2007 10:11 PM
Vicki
So enjoyed this interview especially as my question was the first one asked in the second part of the video.Thankyou Lee and the interviewer for giving all your fans this opportunity to hear your answers. You are very generous with your time and it is much appreciated.
Posted on November 19, 2007 10:11 PM
Charlotte-Frances Miller Loves Lee Mead!
Hi Thanx For This .... I Love Lee To Pieces But Unfortiantly The Videos Wont Work On My Computer :( Ill Try Again Soon ! All I Hae To Say Is Lee Mead I Love You So Much!!!!!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted on November 20, 2007 7:25 PM
Linda Wright
Lee you are so unassuming and natural, please always stay as unspoilt and I'll be your fan forever x!
Posted on November 23, 2007 2:43 PM
Patricia
Lee I can not thank you enough for cheering me up last year in the Joseph competion. I had just been widowed and your lovely voice made me realise life is worth living.Hurry up and come to Norfolk so we can see you and please can you put your version of No more talk on your next CD with Connie absolutely out of this world. Thanks from an old OAP
Posted on January 21, 2008 3:47 PM
Lois
I really want and need Lee Meads fan mail adress or even his proper email adress. If you have his fan mail or his real email adress write back to me and tell me what it is.
TY!!!!!!XOXOXOX
Posted on May 31, 2008 8:52 PM
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