We weren’t interested in being famous: Bananarama
Even if you don't know their names, you're bound to recognise their songs.
Love in the First Degree and I Heard a Rumour are among the trademark smash hits from all-girl trio (that is now a duo) Bananarama. The songs still play on radio stations and can be heard alongside other '80s hits on Wednesday nights at nightclub Zouk.
Childhood friends Karen Woodward and Sara Dallin are both turning 50 this year, yet after more than 20 years in the music industry, they continue to release new albums and write new songs, with their most recent album, Viva, released in 2009, their 20th anniversary as a band.
The duo are in Singapore over this weekend to perform in the second edition of Retrolicious, a concert organised by production company Running Into the Sun. Yahoo! Singapore was able to sit down for a chat with them. Here's what we talked about:
You've both been in the industry for a really long time. How has pop music changed, in your view?
Sara Dallin (SD): Everything has to change, and there are different outlets for people, with more opportunities; shows that let people rise to stardom like X Factor, Pop Idol... so why not seize that opportunity if it's there, I don't see anything wrong with it, but it wasn't like that when we started.
If you had these opportunities, would it have made a difference in your career?
SD: I would never have gone onto X Factor!
Karen Woodward (KW): I don't think we were really interested in being famous as such, and I think most, you can't say all, but most of the people who go on those shows want instant fame, whereas really that's a part of it that we've never really been that bothered with. I mean, it comes in handy if you want to go to certain things, but apart from that I've also been quite embarrassed about the "fame" side of things. I absolutely loathe and despise going to premieres and having pictures taken.
SD: Well I think when you're much younger, when you start out, it's really exciting, but then after awhile you just don't want people photographing you everywhere you go. I'd rather go see a movie when it comes out rather than have to find a dress and do your hair to be photographed for 10 minutes. It's just so tedious.
Are you sick of fame, then?
KW: It's part of what we do and I think it's great being on stage, and I can't deny that there's a side of me that loves everyone singing our songs. And, you know, that side of it's amazing but you do like to "switch off".
SD: It's quite funny that people go on reality shows just to be famous or are famous for being on a reality show with no discernible talent. I don't know how that's very satisfying for anybody. I don't understand the pull for the general public who want to buy magazines for someone who has no discernible talent apart from being photographed in public. I just find it all a bit strange.
In your time, you've done a lot of things yourselves -- from making your own clothes, to writing your own songs, and even producing and managing for yourselves. Which of those do you enjoy most?
SD: Songwriting and touring, that's my favourite.
KW: Yep. Well, when you start with nothing and come out with a song, that's probably the most satisfying part, and being on stage, just 'cause it's really good fun.
What do you like about performing in Singapore and in Asia?
KW: We just really love playing here, this side of the world, we always get such a great reception. People... make up their own dance routines, apparently, to our songs, which is really cool. Last time we played in Tokyo we were so shocked cause we started doing Venus and they all started doing the same action, rising up to the stage, and we just didn't know what was going on! (laughs). But it was fabulous.
How do you feel that you've got younger fans, even from the current generation of teens?
KW: I think it's great when we go and do the shows and you see people singing along and you think, "I can't believe you even know it!"
SD: But I don't think that's so weird -- I didn't grow up with The Beatles, but I know songs from The Beatles. I think it's just a matter of if you like the type of music, you'll know the songs.
KW: Maybe they've just become classics in that same sort of way that they still get played on the radio so people still know them. It's very flattering, it's lovely.
What it was like when you were a trio, with Siobhan Fahey, and then Jacquie O'Sullivan?
SD: Jacquie? I forgot about her (laughs). She was only with us for about two years and she was always referred to as "the new girl" because obviously we had history with Siobhan. It was very exciting when we started out because I went to college with Siobhan and we've been friends since we were kids. So it was really good fun to watch something evolve and become successful, and then start travelling the world and partying and going to great places and staying in hotels... It was all very exciting so I think we had a really good period of time with Siobhan. And she was very creative as well, very good at songwriting so we were kind of upset when she left, but she wanted to take a different path and got married.
So Jacquie joined just because the record company thought three was a good number, but she didn't really write any songs, and it just became apparent that we were better off as two.
Do you miss being three?
KW: No. (laughs)
SD: It's just easy for us, you know. We've known each other for so long, best friends, and we get on, so there's never going to be a problem.
Are there any music icons you look up to?
SD: I absolutely love Beyonce . I saw her live; it's the best concert I've ever been to. I was a huge Prince fan, he's always really different and very talented, but she just... is something else. I've never seen anybody dance and sing...
KW: ...and look beautiful all at the same time.
SD: Amazing dancing, she just doesn't sing a note out of tune.
KW: It's just incredible.
Do you have advice for younger generations of musicians?
SD: Always write your own songs. always.
You're both unmarried and have teenaged children now. Do you ever feel regret that you didn't get married?
Both: No.
KW: I have a man in my life, I just don't feel the need to get married.
SD: It doesn't bother me one way or the other.
KW: I just didn't get married to have a child, and I think a lot of women feel like they need that, it gives them more security... but we're independent girls, we don't need it.
Any plans for the future, or anything you would want to do in the near future?
SD: I'd quite like to be in a sitcom in the States. I like their writing. Friends and Frasier are all so well-written and really amusing, and they've got loads of really funny ones now. I'd quite like to be in one of those 'cause I think they do like the English accent and we could be a sort of Joan Collins, couldn't we? (laughs)
Which are your favourites?
SD: I do love Frasier, The Sopranos.
KW: And Modern Family -- we watched that on the plane, it was hilarious!
When do you plan to retire from singing and writing?
KW: We don't really plan that. We're enjoying doing it, and people want to see us, so I don't see any reason to stop, just yet.
Even in your 70s?
SD: Especially in our 70s.
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