Stars@Online
It is not necessary to go abroad and wait for hours outside the hotel to get the
opportunity to meet your favorite band or singer. Nowadays you can just meet them sitting
in you room by using Internet.
With a growing number of blogs and all kinds of Internet journals. There are websites
out there that are even used by the stars. The most popular website is www.myspace.com. Almost every USA and British
artist has his/her own page on that site, and some of them even answer to fans’
messages, post their home photos and latest news about themselves. To join the website you
just have to register and create your own profile with some information about yourself and
maybe add some photos.
I started using MySpace in May last year and since then I’ve chatted with Mutya Buena
and Siobhan Donaughy (both ex-members of famous UK trio Sugababes, now solo acts),
Keisha Buchanan (current member of Sugababes), Alesha Dixon (ex-member of Mis-Teeq,
currently successful solo act) and USA rapper Rico Love. I hope I’ll add more names
soon. Of course there are lots of fake profiles, where some fans pretend they are the
stars, so it’s hard to find out where’s the real one. Here are my tips that will help
you recognize the real star’s page:
– There must be some non-professional photos, taken by star’s own camera or even
mobile phone. You’ll see what I mean by those photos – they are not good quality and
the star looks real on them – like we all do on our personal photos.
– There can be some demo-versions or new songs of the artist: the ones you won’t
find on the CDs.
– Blog entries, where star reveals some facts from his everyday life, like shopping
or going out.
Siobhan Donaghy
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The most interesting “conversation” I had with Siobhan Donaghy, the ex-member of
UK’s most successful girlband of 2000’s Sugababes, who left the band in 2001
due to personal reasons and released her debut solo album “Overrated” in 2003. She is
now working on her upcoming second album. Here is the interview I’ve taken via Internet.
It’s as easy as it seems.
How do you feel about the new Sugababes with Amelle? Have you met her? Are
you keep in touch with other Babes? And finally – did you know, when you were leaving
the band, that they would get a record deal with Universal?
I’ve no problems with any of girls whatsoever. I think we’re all doing what makes
us happy and that’s a good thing. I haven’t met Amelle and haven’t stayed in touch
with the girls. We have taken very different routes with our careers, and yes, the plan to
go to Universal was in place before I left the band but no amount of money and success
would have made me stay.
What way do you think the band would took if you hadn’t left it? I’m sure there
would be more r’n’b, that would be great. Sugababes are releasing “Greatest
Hits” in winter, they say – do you think they’ll include songs with you?
For sure, if I were still there the sound would be different. But I respect the girls
totally for what they are doing but it really isn’t me at all. I would imagine
“Overload” and “Run” for cover will be on the greatest hits but who knows....I
don’t feel it’s any of my business. I don’t see these songs as being recorded by Sugababes.
They are a very different act now and although it goes by the same name it is not what the
album “One Touch” was all about.
Your new material is awesome, but when’s the new single’s and album’s release
dates? Will the album be released in Europe?
The first single will be out at the end of summer. So around August time and then the
album in January. It will definitely come out in Europe too.
“Don’t Give It Up” will be the 1st single, right?
“Don’t Give It Up” isn’t the first single. In fact, it’s not a single at all.
There’s plenty more where that came from! It is on the album though and I love it!
What have you been doing from leaving the band to 2003, when your album came out,
and since 2003 to now, I mean, besides singing. I guess you’ve studied in the
University?
I didn’t do any further schooling. I actually just did a lot of travelling with
friends and then just normal stuff. Going out for drinks with friends and just catching up
in general on stuff that I usually miss out when I’m on the road.
Is there any place on the Earth where you’d like to travell?
I have a dream to go to the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador!
Your favourite artist and music style?
I don’t have a favorite artist. I have many favorites that include.... Kate Bush, The
Cocteau, Twins, Jeff Buckley, Semisonic, 10cc, Bjork, The Doves, Loretta Lynn, Massive
Attack, Muse Ratatat and many more I can’t remember!
Your favorite food?
I don’t have a favorite food either. I eat just about everything. I try anything
once! Ooo, but I do get cravings for Sushi!
Do you have any pets?
I have two dogs. Yorkshire terriers called Elvis and Dolly after Elvis Presley of
course and Dolly Parton. Actually you can add her to one of my favorite artists OF ALL
TIME!
Do you like watching TV? What’s your favorite TV show or movie?
I hate watching TV unless it’s a BBC documentary with David Attenborough. He’s a
british legend!
Would you take part in “The Games” or any other reality-show, if you had a
chance?
I was asked to take part in “The Games” but (funnily enough) the thought of wearing
a swimsuit in front of the whole nation makes me want to die!
If you had a chance to go back what wouldn’t you done in your life and what would
you changed?
I don’t have any regrets. I don’t believe in them.
Is there any funny road or performance story, you were involved into?
I have a couple of funny road stories. On tour with my last record I was telling a joke
to my band on the bus and stood up half way through it and my whole ponytail got caught up
in a fan on the ceiling! I thought I would have to cut the whole thing off! My band just
rolled around laughing. I was mortified.
What’s your favourite Sugababes and your solo song?
My fav sugababes song is “Overload”. It’s just a classic! And my fav song is
going to be on the new record so I can’t tell you what it’s called! My next fav would
be “Little Bits” though.
Name the biggest celebrity you’ve met and the one you’d like to meet?
I met Mick Jagger and went very shy which is very unusual for me! I’d like to meet
Elton John. Just because he’s such a character! Plus we’re both from the same town.
Any piece of advice to young artists about the music industry?
I really don’t think I’d be very good giving any advice to people getting into the
music business. Anyway, I believe you have to find your own path and make your own
mistakes. It’s much more fun that way!
And finally – what can we expect from your new album?
My new album is a very cohesive piece of work. I have been lucky enough to have had the
time to really make sure I’ve got the sound I wanted and that each and every song is as
strong as the next and worthy of being on the record. It’s meant some songs I love
didn’t make the record but I’m sure they’ll be b-sides and what not and won’t go
to waste. I’m very proud of it and think it’s definitely my best work to date!
By Michael Agafonov,
Lyceum No. 1523, Moscow
Useful links:
www.myspace.com – join the website
and take your chance to contact the stars
www.sugababes.com – Sugababes
official website
www.horror-music.narod.ru –
Russian fan website about Sugababes
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