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 getting 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 report serves as an extension of the Legally Blonde stars 2022 autobiography of the identical identify, 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 elements glamour and grit, confidence and vulnerability.
As we sit down with Denise, she opens up about rediscovering her voice, discovering pleasure within the inventive course of, and why this album really 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 blissful 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 way of the entire promo / launch week cycle earlier than and (subsequently) 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 report 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 happy 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 feel so. Part of me needs I’d experimented and recorded extra music once I was youthful, however on the time when these sorts of provides had been introduced to me, it by no means felt proper to simply accept them. Why? Primarily as a result of I didn’t ever actually wish to be a popstar (laughs). Don’t get me improper, I completely love pop music, however I at all times felt… effectively, truly I knew, that my voice was higher suited to extra classical kinds of music, reasonably than pop or dance. However I don’t assume anyone was fairly prepared to simply accept me in that world again then; I used to be the enjoyable, bubbly woman on the TV, and folks didn’t see me as being something apart from that — which is ok, I get it. There was additionally a interval within the 90s when it appeared like everybody on TV was bringing out a report, and I didn’t wish 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 protected.
Was there a selected second or expertise that made you wish to make this report now?
Are you aware what’s fascinating? So I did the very first sequence of The Masked Singer and — I’m unsure 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 form 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 individuals like Andy Williams and Russell Watson, and I’ve labored with Andrew Lloyd Webber on a one lady present that was ALL singing… however I’m nonetheless not seen as a singer by some individuals. So perhaps doing this album now’s my manner of displaying individuals 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 data, or rating a serious chart place — I imply, that may be good, however I have a look at this venture as extra of a continuation of my guide, and a approach to launch the tour I’m doing subsequent yr.
Earlier than going into the studio, did you’ve gotten an thought or a set imaginative and prescient for the fashion 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 form of emotional, melancholy attachment to them, and I like taking basic pops songs, stripping them again and turning them into one thing fully totally different. So let’s speak about ‘The Tougher I Strive’, which an actual 80’s basic by Brother Past. The unique is de facto upbeat, melodic and blissful sounding, however once you take heed to the lyrics, they’re truly fairly unhappy. So we determined strip again the manufacturing, add some piano, and strings and lovely harmonies, and switch it right into a little bit of a torched love track — and I find it irresistible!
There are 9 million great songs on this world! How on earth did you go about attempting to resolve which tracks to report?
For me it was all about discovering, and recording songs that outlined particular moments in my life. I bear in mind firstly of this entire course of, sitting down to write down a listing of potential tracks to cowl, and fascinated by it now, they’ve truly all ended up on the album! So for instance, once I was doing Chicago on Broadway and residing in an residence overlooking Central Park, I used to play the Barbra Streisand model of ‘New York State of Thoughts’ on a regular basis. Every time I hear that track now, I’m transported again to that actual second, and I can bear in mind precisely how I used to be feeling, and what I used to be going by way of. A track like ‘Promise Me’ by Beverley Craven jogs my memory of being younger, and beginning speak to boys for the primary time (laughs). Again then we didn’t have sensible telephones or social media, so in the event you made plans to go on a date with somebody, you’d have to rearrange a time and place to fulfill, after which simply hope he’d flip up! It wasn’t like you possibly can textual content him or verify his Instagram story to verify he was on his manner, you actually simply needed to wait. And I don’t thoughts telling you, there have been quite a few instances I used to be stood up, and I by no means discovered why! So ‘Promise Me’ was a track I’d play once I was feeling a bit heartbroken and rejected (laughs).
That sounds brutal…
I do know! However are you aware what, in a humorous manner, it was truly simpler courting again then, as a result of the whole lot was a bit extra clear reduce. When you’d been stood up, chances are high you’d most likely by no means see that particular person 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 individuals, so it will probably 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 form of mentioned, more often than not once I sing, I’m singing as another person. It’s humorous, at any time when I hear 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 decisions as a result of that’s what was required to assist carry that specific 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 over the past couple of years. It’s so cathartic, and a good way for me to categorical myself… it’s a bit like a free type of remedy (laughs). I co-wrote one track on the album and I’m actually, actually pleased with the way it turned out.
Sure, the title observe ‘A Little bit of Me’. Denise, it’s gorgeous…
Ah thanks, I’m actually glad you prefer it — I wrote that track from the guts, I actually did. It’s scary to be so open and trustworthy in a track, since you’re principally baring your soul to the world, and letting everybody know precisely the way you’re feeling — that may carry a whole lot of 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 a fantastic place, and I wanted to discover a approach to make sense of the whole lot that was taking place to me. I’ll be completely trustworthy with you, I used to be having remedy on the time, and the therapist I used to be working with prompt I’ve a go at writing a track as a approach 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 track 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 wish to depart listeners with once they hear the track?
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 weak and that’s okay. Even in the event you’re in probably the most loving and dedicated relationship ever, there’ll at all times be these moments the place you’re feeling uneasy and out of types — however don’t battle 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 feel that’s the general message of ‘A Little bit of Me’. Once I take heed to it now, I really feel fully in another way to how I did once I wrote it, which is good as a result of it’s a form 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 count on to see?
Okay, I’m actually enthusiastic about this! To me, the present comes as form of a package deal, a trilogy, in the event 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 can be a becoming a member of collectively of the 2. I’m actually trying 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 individuals I’ve met, the individuals 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 can be entertained! I’m thrilled to be getting again on stage, I simply love singing and performing a lot — it’s what I wish 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 house and your loved ones?
Nicely, my daughter’s 15 now, so she’s at that age the place she’d reasonably be together with her pals than with me (laughs) so I truly really feel a bit extra comfy 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 dad or mum, so for some time now I’ve not likely been in a position to do a whole lot of the identical jobs I did earlier than I grew to become a Mum. Touring or taking up a West Finish present is a large dedication, you’re continuously on the go, you’re doing eight exhibits every 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 mentioned, now Betsy’s older, and I’ve a little bit bit extra freedom, I’m trying ahead to seeing what alternatives are on the market for me. In a humorous manner it feels prefer it’s my time once more…
You’ve reinvented your self so many instances 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 targeted and critical about getting again on the market, and doing extra singing, stage work and dwell performances. I’m feeling compelled in the meanwhile 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 instructor 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 college, after which depart once I was 16, she stayed in my life and he or she grew to become a pricey household buddy. Being at her funeral and amongst all of my college pals rang a bell in my memory of all of the goals we had as children. We labored, and skilled so onerous, with the hope that in the future that arduous work would repay and we’d “make it”. So I really feel like I want to hold on, I don’t wish 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 take pleasure in this subsequent chapter for so long as it lasts.
Denise Van Outen’s album ‘A Little bit of Me’ is launched as we speak (Friday, October tenth) whereas tickets for her nationwide tour can be found at denisevanouten.co.uk
Tell us your ideas on Denise van Outen over on CelebMix socials now!
