Keep It Casual has been lucky enough to get an interview with the singer and Manchester legend Rowetta, and find out some intriguing facts about her fascinating career, which has seen her be a part of one of the most inspirational bands and musical movements, perform a vocal that is still sampled on hits today, collaborate with various amazing artists, be an X-Factor contestant and host her own radio show. Here is what she had to say:
Hello Rowetta, how are you?
Busier and happier than ever thank you.
What are you up to at the moment?
I have been writing and collaborating with a lot of people this year, so I have a lot of projects, gigs and releases happening, which is great.
I have recorded an EP with Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order bassist) and his band The Light. This happened after playing many gigs with him and the band and the response was so good, so the EP was recorded and released. I sing lead vocals on 3 of the 4 tracks, with Hooky singing lead on an unreleased Joy Division track. We have done some amazing gigs and are about to do some more.
I've also written tracks with Mirror People - 'Feel The Need' feat Rowetta out on D.I.S.C.O. Texas on 11/11/11; Placidic Dream - 'Money' feat Rowetta out on Axis Tracks late November; The Kino Club - 'So Sweet' feat Rowetta out on King Prawn Records in January 2012 and Shimi Sonic - 'I'll Take You' - date tbc
I am also featuring on the new single by The Rainband - 'The Prodigal' feat Rowetta out on 12/12/11 on Affinity Records. I have played many gigs with The Rainband and they're great lads. We have a big Xmas gig, where I will be doing my own set too. The Rainband & Rowetta at hmv The Ritz on December 18th 2011
As well as this I have a diary full of gigs here in the UK and Europe and have played many and really enjoyed all the Pride festivals and charity events this year. I also have my own radio show every Saturday at 4pm on Gaydio 88.4FM. I have been with Gaydio for 6 years, but the station only got a full time license 18 months ago, making it the first Gay station to have an FM license. I love my show and I am lucky that I get great celebrity guests and musicians coming on.
You famously are the voice on the classic tune 'Reach Out' and were part of the Happy Mondays, could you tell us your favourite song that you have been a part of?
Reach Out is special, as I wrote and sung that vocal in 1989 and it must be one of the most sampled vocals in recent years, which makes me very proud. The fact that one of the biggest bands in the world chose to sample it on one of their biggest hits is amazing - Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas, uses a sample of my voice throughout the song. A great compliment.
I have great memories of the Mondays songs and a lot of other songs, but Joy Division's 'Atmosphere' is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever written, and it is an honour to sing it. Lyrically and melodically beautiful and haunting.
I was a small child when the 'Madchester' scene took off, so can only look back in awe, what was your experience of that pivotal time in musical history?
I was only a child myself ;-) It was a great time for me, as it was a very male environment, but I discovered a band and a group of people that I felt comfortable with and that respected me for what I was and my talent and I was able to join the ride, from the inside. That time with the Mondays, the Hacienda and the inspirational Tony Wilson and Factory Records was amazing...so special.
You also played yourself in the film 24 Hour Party People, which told the story of Factory Records, 'Madchester' and the Hacienda etc, could you tell us whether most of that film is portraying the 'myth', or if most of the scenes are based on real events?
I loved being a part of the movie '24 Hour Party People' where the whole scene was recreated by Michael Winterbottom in such a beautiful witty way. A lot of the real people were involved in the movie, including Tony, but it was a comedy and many scenes were very loosely based on reality. It's a great movie about a great time, great music, great people, but it is a movie, not a documentary.
More recently of course you were a contestant on the X-Factor. What do you think if the X-Factor now, and do you think its worse now Simon has left?
I entered because I found Simon mesmerising. I preferred it with Simon, but I have a friend in the final, Marcus Collins, and I love the exposure it's given him. He's amazing.
We are taking our club night to Manchester on the 18th of November to the Ram and Shackle in Fallowfield, can you request a song for us to play?
Kinky Afro still fills the dancefloors, but maybe 'I Am The Resurrection' by the Stone Roses, as they have been finally resurrected, which is beautiful for the fans. Or I can slip you a promo cd of 'So Sweet' - The Kino Club feat Rowetta, as a batch arrived today.
As a Mancunian, you a RED, BLUE or neither?
I'm a red, but I love Manchester, so always proud when Manchester does well, and I think it's great that we now have 2 amazing teams, and great for both sets of fans.
Finally who or what (can be anything) 'Keeps it Casual'?
Peter Hook - 'Keeps It Casual'. Always cool.. I'm more of a glamourpuss!! ;-) x
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