Absolutely everybody loves Vanessa Amorosi. Her powerful voice has helped her to become a household name in Australia and gain attention worldwide. Vanessa is currently celebrating the release of her amazing new song “heavy lies the head” and has been touring around the country. We were lucky enough to chat with Vanessa about her new song and find out what life has been like for her recently.

 

 

Firstly since your last album Hazardous came out back in 2009 what’s been happening with you in the last ten years? 

 

Oh god what hasn’t been happening (laughs). Around 2011 once I finished touring I started writing for a new record but everything was very bland  and it just didn’t get me excited whatsoever. So I needed to take some time and go and be inspired again. At that same time I landed an opportunity to go and work in gospel churches in USA creating gospel arrangements. I went and did that and it wasn’t a short little mission. I thought I would be able to walk over there and step into the churches and do my thing but I really had to climb the ropes and prove myself to be worthy in that community.

 

Then I also did some work with Dave Stewart I have a great relationship with him. We’ve written an incredible album together. There’s been a lot going on in ten years (laughs). From there I also met an incredible production team and we started writing for this pop record. Every song from this record has that fire and excitement it’s very straight to the point. I’ve taken the restrictions off myself when it comes to vocals and melody. Now is the time, I feel like I have great music again and I want to get on the stage and do my thing.

 

While living in America what are some of the most surreal moments you had?

 

There’s been plenty of surreal moments. I think for me arranging a gospel piece and then actually listening to a choir do that. I was sitting in my own little studio creating harmonies and layers imaging what it’s going to be like. Then actually having the opportunity to then hear it by fifty or sometimes seventy singers all at once it’s pretty unbelievable. Also being in the music industry I get to work with people that I love, like Dave Stewart and I got to do a duet with Mary J Blige. I also just finished doing the Red Hot Summer tour and that was with John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite and Jon Stevens. I got to be among people that I’ve grown up listening to and also they are just like family.

 

Huge congrats on your new song “Heavy Lies The Head”. What was the writing process like for that song?

 

Vanessa Amorosi     

The great thing about working with the producers is we have such a great chemistry. So these songs kind of write themselves, which is what I try and look for. If I’m labouring over a lyric for four or five hours then I feel like this songs becoming too hard and forced. Normally the greatest songs are the ones that write themselves. As with “heavy lies the head” it’s about leaving a toxic situation and coming to terms with it then letting karma take care off the rest of it.

 

What was it like filming the video for “heavy lies the head” ?

 

It was fun. Literally I wanted to have a video that was super simple where I would just be singing the song. As a girl at least I got to have a million outfit changes, which is always a bonus to me. I just wanted it to be a performance video because that’s what I’m about.

 

 

With more new music to follow is it case of you’ve written one hundred songs and have to narrow it down to album size?

 

Oh yeah I write tons of songs then I try and pick the ones that are gold in between it because I’m not one of those writers who every song they write is a hit. I’m constantly writing and still writing now. The album is done but if I write a better song I’m sticking it on.

 

Since you’ve been in the music industry a while what’s it like now releasing music in the day and age of streaming and rise of social media?

 

I kind of like it because it moves faster and I feel like I can get more songs out there now. It’s easier to get to the public. I also find it hard when it comes to the social media side of things because that wasn’t part of the game when I started making music. Sometimes I’m filming myself eating a sandwich and I’m like why does the world want to see this (laughs). I just feels so weird personally doing it. But I understand it because I follow a lot of people as well and I enjoy having those behind the scenes moments.   

 

John Farnham is one of the most incredible and most iconic singers ever from Australia. It must of been pretty cool to see him perform every night while you were on the Red Hot Summer tour?

 

He was incredible. The tour was like being reunited with family. All of the artists Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite, Thirsty Merc, Dragon we’ve all crossed paths before because the industry is very small. It was like a big family on the road. As a performer you take away a lot of things by watching other artist every night. Jon Stevens is a monster on stage, he sings from start to finish at ten the whole time. Daryl Braithwaite cracked me up so many times when he’s on stage. He would try and make the audience hold the notes as long as he does. Only he could get away with doing that it was so funny and amazing. So I have a lot of great memories from that tour and it really did light a fire for me it was a blessing really.

 

I was lucky enough to see you on the Red Hot Summer Tour at Bella Vista. During the show an only in Australia moment happened where you took your shoes off then after realising the stage was too hot audience members threw you jackets to stand on then thongs to wear.

 

It would only happen hear in Australia that’s why I love doing these shows. Sometimes you go through these little country towns and everybody is very united. It’s not like when I travel in USA everybody can be very divided, audience are kept as audience. Australia is just not like that. The locations are obviously some of the most incredible places you’ll ever see in your life then on top of that Australian’s are really great to perform to. By the way the stage was really damn hot it was a bad move taking my shoes off. But I love the fact I had some lady throwing me her thongs to wear and then I’ve got guys throwing their jackets on stage (laughs) only in Australia.  

 

You also did a really awesome cover of “dancing in the dark”. Are covers something you enjoy doing?

 

Yeah I only do it very rarely. With “dancing in the dark” I had heard it a million times and it seemed like a upbeat song but I never really payed attention to it. Then recently I heard it and it meant something to me, for some reason now I totally relate to that song. I play it on rotation, it’s like I can’t hear it enough. So I incorporate it into my set the way I hear it. I find that song to be a very dark, depressing song even though it sounds so happy. Some of the lines in the song I’m like holy shit you’re talking to me Bruce. I’ve had that experience also with Max Merritt’s song “slipping away”. That song was one of those songs I’ve heard a million times but then I heard it on radio one day and finally related to it. It’s a rare occasion that I take on those songs and it’s because it strikes a chord with me.

 

You’ve just kicked off some headline shows I’m guessing you are pretty excited about those?

 

I’m wrapped because now it just gives me more time to do stuff. There’s so many songs that I want to do and also some songs that people haven’t heard that I want to do to and explain what’s about to happen musically for me as an artist. It also gives me the opportunity to reconnect with everybody and to continue my journey. It’s an emotional experience for me and also a big party.

 

What does the song “Absolutely Everybody” mean to you?

 

It’s just like a photo it brings back so many memories every time. I never get sick of it because I feel like I step back in time and I watch my crowd as they turn into a bunch of kids it cracks me up. The crazier they go the crazier I go and that song is perfect for it.

 

 

I’m guessing it doesn’t matter how many years go by getting to sing at Sydney Olympics in 2000 will always be a career highlight?

 

Yeah totally I’m a very patriotic Australian so I am super stoked that I was involved in that. It’s a part of my history I love it.

 

Australia has really watched you grown up. You’re incredible voice is so powerful and helped you to become a household name. What’s it like knowing your name is forever etched into Australian music history?  

 

It’s incredible that’s what you wish for as a musician. I grew up in a family of musicians and that’s all that we were wanting and working towards. It’s an incredible blessing and I’m very lucky to be able to say it’s my living.

 

 

(interview by Christian Ross)