Denise van Outen has by no means been one to face nonetheless. From dazzling audiences in musicals Chicago, Inform Me On A Sunday, and Some Lady I Used To Know, to lighting up tv screens and radio airwaves, she’s constructed a profession on reinvention — at all times delivering together with her signature sparkle, and confident appeal. Now, she’s moving into a brand new highlight with the discharge of her debut album, ‘A Little bit of Me’ — a heartfelt assortment that brings her love of storytelling, nostalgia, and authenticity to the forefront.
Mixing exemplary vocals with a contact of theatrical aptitude, the emotionally charged document serves as an extension of the Legally Blonde stars 2022 autobiography of the identical title, and displays the highs, lows, and life classes which have formed her each on and off the stage. It’s private, playful, and unmistakably Denise: equal components glamour and grit, confidence and vulnerability.
As we sit down with Denise, she opens up about rediscovering her voice, discovering pleasure within the artistic course of, and why this album actually captures — because the title guarantees — a little bit of who she actually is.
Denise, ‘A Little bit of Me’ is out TODAY! How does it really feel to be lastly releasing your debut album?
Are you aware what, I’m truly feeling actually excited! You’d assume I’d be a bag of nerves contemplating that is one thing I’ve by no means actually carried out earlier than, however I’m truly not, I’m simply joyful that it’s out and I can’t wait for everybody to listen to it. Clearly I’ve launched musical theatre soundtracks and a few standalone singles prior to now, so I’ve gone by the entire promo / launch week cycle earlier than and (due to this fact) know what to anticipate, however I’ve by no means put out an album that’s simply me being me, so I suppose that feels a little bit nerve-wracking. I’m assured that my viewers will know nearly all of the songs on the document although, so perhaps that takes the strain off a little bit bit… I don’t know, I’m not overthinking it (laughs). I’m simply actually pleased with what I’ve created, and I’m having fun with the second.
You’ve loved nice success in nearly each sector of the leisure trade, however music appears to be the factor that at all times attracts you again. Deep down, was making an album one thing you at all times knew you’d do in the future?
Yeah, I believe so. Part of me needs I’d experimented and recorded extra music once I was youthful, however on the time when these sorts of gives had been introduced to me, it by no means felt proper to just accept them. Why? Primarily as a result of I didn’t ever actually need to be a popstar (laughs). Don’t get me flawed, I completely love pop music, however I at all times felt… properly, truly I knew, that my voice was higher suited to extra classical types of music, quite than pop or dance. However I don’t assume anyone was fairly prepared to just accept me in that world again then; I used to be the enjoyable, bubbly lady on the TV, and other people didn’t see me as being something aside from that — which is okay, I get it. There was additionally a interval within the 90s when it appeared like everybody on TV was bringing out a document, and I didn’t need to be seen as leaping on the bandwagon or copying what my friends had been doing. It felt a bit predictable, and anticipated, and again then I didn’t like that, I needed to go towards the grain a little bit and never play it secure.
Was there a particular second or expertise that made you need to make this document now?
Are you aware what’s attention-grabbing? So I did the very first collection of The Masked Singer and — I’m undecided if anyone is aware of this — however behind the scenes, the contestants participating within the present are put into two classes, singers, and non-singers, and I used to be put within the non-singers class. I bear in mind kind of smiling to myself about it, considering, that’s bizarre as a result of I’ve carried out exhibits within the West Finish and on Broadway, I’ve launched singles, I’ve carried out duets with folks like Andy Williams and Russell Watson, and I’ve labored with Andrew Lloyd Webber on a one girl present that was ALL singing… however I’m nonetheless not seen as a singer by some folks. So perhaps doing this album now’s my approach of exhibiting folks what I can do (laughs). No I’m joking, I’m not doing this to show something to anybody. I’m not anticipating to promote one million information, or rating a serious chart place — I imply, that might be good, however I have a look at this mission as extra of a continuation of my guide, and a strategy to launch the tour I’m doing subsequent yr.
Earlier than going into the studio, did you’ve got an concept or a set imaginative and prescient for the type of music you needed to make?
As a result of my coaching and background is musical theatre, I knew I needed the music to have a theatrical really feel to it. I’ve at all times been into my ballads, and songs that lyrically have some kind of emotional, melancholy attachment to them, and I like taking traditional pops songs, stripping them again and turning them into one thing fully completely different. So let’s speak about ‘The More durable I Strive’, which an actual 80’s traditional by Brother Past. The unique is admittedly upbeat, melodic and joyful sounding, however whenever you take heed to the lyrics, they’re truly fairly unhappy. So we determined strip again the manufacturing, add some piano, and strings and beautiful harmonies, and switch it right into a little bit of a torched love tune — and I find it irresistible!
There are 9 million great songs on this world! How on earth did you go about making an attempt to determine which tracks to document?
For me it was all about discovering, and recording songs that outlined particular moments in my life. I bear in mind at the beginning of this complete course of, sitting down to jot down a listing of potential tracks to cowl, and desirous about it now, they’ve truly all ended up on the album! So for instance, once I was doing Chicago on Broadway and dwelling in an condo overlooking Central Park, I used to play the Barbra Streisand model of ‘New York State of Thoughts’ on a regular basis. Each time I hear that tune now, I’m transported again to that precise second, and I can bear in mind precisely how I used to be feeling, and what I used to be going by. A tune like ‘Promise Me’ by Beverley Craven jogs my memory of being younger, and beginning discuss to boys for the primary time (laughs). Again then we didn’t have sensible telephones or social media, so should you made plans to go on a date with somebody, you’d have to rearrange a time and place to satisfy, after which simply hope he’d flip up! It wasn’t like you would textual content him or examine his Instagram story to ensure he was on his approach, you actually simply needed to wait. And I don’t thoughts telling you, there have been quite a few occasions I used to be stood up, and I by no means discovered why! So ‘Promise Me’ was a tune I’d play once I was feeling a bit heartbroken and rejected (laughs).
That sounds brutal…
I do know! However have you learnt what, in a humorous approach, it was truly simpler courting again then, as a result of the whole lot was a bit extra clear lower. When you’d been stood up, likelihood is you’d in all probability by no means see that individual once more, so it was simpler to recover from the frustration and transfer on. However with social media now, there are such a lot of alternative ways to maintain tabs on folks, so it may well really feel like there’s no escaping somebody who’s damaged your coronary heart.
Denise van Outen — Promise Me
Has it been good to sing these songs as you, and never a personality?
Yeah, it has truly. At first it was a bit bizarre, as a result of as you’ve kind of stated, more often than not once I sing, I’m singing as another person. It’s humorous, every time I pay attention again to the ‘Inform Me On A Sunday’ album, I can hear sure inflections and textures of my voice that I wouldn’t essentially use if I used to be singing as me, however I made these vocal selections as a result of that’s what was required to assist deliver that exact character to life. So yeah, it’s been liberating actually, and fairly good to simply be me — it’s made a pleasant change.
How would you describe your relationship with songwriting?
I’ve actually fallen in love with songwriting during the last couple of years. It’s so cathartic, and an effective way for me to categorical myself… it’s a bit like a free type of remedy (laughs). I co-wrote one tune on the album and I’m actually, actually proud of the way it turned out.
Sure, the title monitor ‘A Little bit of Me’. Denise, it’s gorgeous…
Ah thanks, I’m actually glad you prefer it — I wrote that tune from the center, I actually did. It’s scary to be so open and sincere in a tune, since you’re mainly baring your soul to the world, and letting everybody know precisely the way you’re feeling — that may deliver numerous judgement and scrutiny to your door. However I used to be at some extent in my life the place I used to be struggling… I actually wasn’t in an important place, and I wanted to discover a strategy to make sense of the whole lot that was taking place to me. I’ll be completely sincere with you, I used to be having remedy on the time, and the therapist I used to be working with urged I’ve a go at writing a tune as a strategy to launch all of my ideas and feelings. And so I went into the studio, put pen to paper, and it actually, actually helped me. As soon as the tune was completed and mastered, I truly despatched it to her and he or she was like: “oh wow Denise, I wasn’t anticipating that!”
What feeling or message do you need to depart listeners with once they hear the tune?
That it’s regular to undergo hardships in life and relationships. Anytime you’re in love, or falling out of affection, you’ll really feel susceptible and that’s okay. Even should you’re in essentially the most loving and dedicated relationship ever, there’ll at all times be these moments the place you’re feeling uneasy and out of kinds — however don’t struggle it, simply go along with it, and be hopeful that issues will get higher, as a result of they are going to! On the finish of the day, I consider all of us need the identical factor in life, and that’s to like and to be beloved… and I believe that’s the general message of ‘A Little bit of Me’. After I take heed to it now, I really feel fully in another way to how I did once I wrote it, which is sweet as a result of it’s a kind of reminder of how far I’ve come, and that I’ve discovered happiness inside myself once more.
Denise van Outen — A Little bit of Me (Official Music Video)
You’re heading out on tour subsequent yr, along with your brand-new solo present, ‘An Night with Denise Van Outen: Songs, Tales & All That Jazz’ — what can we anticipate to see?
Okay, I’m actually enthusiastic about this! To me, the present comes as kind of a package deal, a trilogy, should you like. So I did my autobiography in 2022, then there’s the album of songs that make up the soundtrack of my life, and the present shall be a becoming a member of collectively of the 2. I’m actually wanting ahead to it! It’s going to be me, onstage, speaking about my life and my profession, sharing tales and anecdotes concerning the work I’ve carried out, the folks I’ve met, the folks I’ve labored with, my private relationships, household life… the whole lot actually! I’ll even be singing songs that helped form all of these moments. I promise everybody who comes alongside shall be entertained! I’m thrilled to be getting again on stage, I simply love singing and performing a lot — it’s what I need to do extra of transferring ahead.
You’re going to be out on the street for a month! How do you assume you’ll really feel being away from residence and your loved ones?
Nicely, my daughter’s 15 now, so she’s at that age the place she’d quite be together with her mates than with me (laughs) so I truly really feel a bit extra relaxed about going out to work, and being away from her… simply so long as I’m not away for too lengthy! I’ve successfully raised Betsy as a single mother or father, so for some time now I’ve not likely been in a position to do numerous the identical jobs I did earlier than I grew to become a Mum. Touring or taking over a West Finish present is a big dedication, you’re consistently on the go, you’re doing eight exhibits per week, you’re both out and in of London otherwise you’re travelling up and down the nation — it’s rather a lot, however… I find it irresistible and I’ve missed it. So like I stated, now Betsy’s older, and I’ve a little bit bit extra freedom, I’m wanting ahead to seeing what alternatives are on the market for me. In a humorous approach it feels prefer it’s my time once more…
You’ve reinvented your self so many occasions over time — do you see the ‘A Little bit of Me’ period as the beginning of a brand new chapter?
I do within the sense that I’m actually centered and critical about getting again on the market, and doing extra singing, stage work and stay performances. I’m feeling compelled in the mean time to return to my roots, and do the entire issues I beloved once I was a child. We sadly misplaced Silvia Younger earlier this yr, who was extra than simply my trainer and principal, she was an actual mentor to me. My household and I beloved her! We at all times stored in contact, and he or she was at all times so supportive. I didn’t simply go to her faculty, after which depart once I was 16, she stayed in my life and he or she grew to become an expensive household good friend. Being at her funeral and amongst all of my faculty mates jogged my memory of all of the goals we had as youngsters. We labored, and educated so arduous, with the hope that in the future that onerous work would repay and we’d “make it”. So I really feel like I would like to hold on, I don’t need to get sidetracked by different issues anymore (laughs). Singing and performing fuels me — it’s what offers me most satisfaction and delight, personally and professionally. So yeah, doing this album has felt like one other a little bit reinvention for me, and I’m going to get pleasure from this subsequent chapter for so long as it lasts.
Denise Van Outen’s album ‘A Little bit of Me’ is launched right this moment (Friday, October tenth) whereas tickets for her nationwide tour can be found at denisevanouten.co.uk
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