Hazell Dean -interview

Here´s my interview with Hazell Dean, enjoy!

1. As an artist who has been around for a couple of decades, where do you find inspiration to carry on?

HD. Ha ha! I have been around as a performer for more than a few decades! 

What keeps me going? Its very simple. I love music!

While i'm still looking and sounding good, there is no reason why I shouldnt carry on for a while longer. I have an established and very loyal

audience who still want to hear and see me, and generally I love performing. Its my job and has been my life, what more inspiration do I need?

2. How do you think the Internet has influences to the quality of music ? Do you think that hits are more easier to make?

HD. The internet has changed the music industry beyond recognition. Everything is so very instant, but also very "throw away".

The consumer is literally bombarded with sounds and images. A relatively small percentage is great, really great, but for all the good stuff there is a whole lot of rubbish floating around in the ether.

That said, it has opened up avenues for very specialist genre's, and inspires creativity in a lot of people. It makes music very accessible.

Do I think its easier to have a hit? It depends on what criteria you judge a "hit"?

3. As an openly gay artist, do you encounter homophobia?

HD. 

I am very private individual, and  I have never and will never discuss my (or any one else's) personal life or sexuality with the media - ever.

If there has ever been any unpleasant comments of any type made against me, I have never been aware of them.

I think of all industries, the music business is possibly one of the least homophobic.

The media (especially British tabloid newspapers) are pretty unpleasant, and have hounded and harrased many gay people over the years (pop stars, actors/actress's/sports people, politicians) because of their sexuality.

Its 2014, and about time they stopped. 

Being gay really should not be an issue that makes the news should it? 

4. Why do you think that 80´s music continues to be so popular?

HD. Because its great fun! It has a very specific sound which appeals to the masses.

5. As a mainly disco/Hi-nrg artist, is there any other genre you would like to try? If so,then why?

HD. I am The Queen of Hi NRG..... and to my friends I am also The Empress of Eurobeat, The Duchess of The Dancefloor.

I like a lot of other genres, and have pretty much sung all of them. 

My musical taste is eclectic.

I love ballads, I love rock, I love country. 

I never intended to go down the disco/Hi NRG route, I saw myself more as a singer songwriter, just me and my guitar, but fate had other plans for me.

I dont think I'd be any good at thrash metal or rapping though.

6. Are there artists or dj´s you look up to? 

HD. There are a lot of artists I admire, and who's work I enjoy.

I love Streisand, Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Carol King, Joni Mitchell, Diana Ross, Tricia Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder - the list is endless.

I like Adele, Paloma Faith, the late Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Passenger, Katy Perry, Olly Murs, Gary Barlow, again and endless list, so may good artist. I like great performers, I like great songwriters.

I would love to work with The Pet Shop Boys before I retire.

7. What do you think of the current EDM- phenomena and European djs and artists making it in the US?

HD. What Is EDM? I'm guessing European Dance Music?

 I cant speak on  behalf of the rest of Europe, but British artists have always had their place in the US (and wider global market)so its hardly a new phenomena is it?

The Beatles paved the way back in the 1960's! British artists & DJ's do well all over the world, which is remarkable really for such a small island.

 I had a lot of success in America, and toured there every year throughout the 1980's. I had a blast. America have always had an affection for British artists. 

I guess having a shared language helps!

 

8. Is there a new album on the works? And what kind on album it´s going to be?

HD - Yes, I am working on a new album which will be released later this year.

It will be a collection of my own songs, with a few well chosen covers. Again it will be in true Hazell Dean style, I think I know my fan base well enough to give them that they want, and I am established enough not to have

to compromise what I want either.

I hope a collection of old Decca releases will also be available this year. I am quite looking forward to that.

Thanks for the interview!! :-)