Natasha Watts

Natasha Watts

‘2nd Time Around’ – a stunning modern Soul album from one of the best voices on the planet

 

Interview by Rath Gud

Natasha Watts, a huge welcome back  to DMCWORLD. Where in the world are you right now?

Hey guys, firstly thank you for having me back and right now there is no place like home, which is just where I am!

What is the best piece of new music you have heard today??

There is some great stuff about at the moment, but currently on my player is Louie Vega 28 Artists, it’s blown me away  – there are some amazing tracks on there and the talent is off the hook.

Congrats on your wonderful ‘2nd Time Around’ album, what was the inspiration behind the project?

Last year I went on tour with the amazing Ms Glady’s Knight, that tour was such an eye opener for me and I learned so much about where I wanted to go forwards with my music. I love my sound, but with this new album I really wanted to appeal directly to my target audience. I really feel I have achieved that with this album more so than with the first. This time my sound is more polished and sounds more mature, I really am very proud of it and I know my supporters are feeling it too!

How does the new release compare to your debut album and what did you set out to musically achieve this time?

Musically this time is so much more me, I love the fact I have some dance floor fillers alongside ballads. Tracks like Waited For You and Love Who You are right up the Soul street, where Insatiable, the track which features Omar, is credible, groovy and wonderfully produced by Richard Earnshaw.

It’s quite a cross pollination of different styles of Soul Music with a lot of different messages and vibes, talk us through some of the songs and their meaning.

I have to start with Love Who You Are, this is such a positive message and written for my son at a time when he was really low and dealing with a relationship problem. Tracks like Waited For You and Hit The Spot just make you want to dance and Lonely, well that’s so totally different for me, its Jazzy and Bluesy with a hint of old time blues.

You have made a stunning duet, ‘Insatiable’ with the Soul legend Omar, how did that come about and what was he like to work with?

Ask and you shall receive lol. I really have loved him since my school days and I was asked before about who I wanted to duet with and it’s always been Omar! I never believed in my wildest dreams he would say yes!  Working with him has given me a new found confidence, he believed in me, which is why he agreed to do the track. We worked very well together and think the end result really speaks for itself .

You have also enlisted the help from some great producer/co-writing mates on the album from Rob Hardt (Cool Million), JD73, David Doyle and as you mentioned, Richard Earnshaw.What did they bring to the table?

Richard is my pal and I just love what he does. He produced the amazing Insatiable and I think he has totally out done himself this time. Dave Doyle and JD73 are wonderful producers, working with both these guys has been fun and knowledgeable, they both brought different skills to the table and I was very happy to learn from them. Rob and I have a great relationship especially when in the studio, he just gets me, I don’t even have to say what I want, we both just know. This makes it very easy to make amazing tracks!

Hats off to you, you are by all accounts are very proactive and busy, self managing all aspects of your career, without the help of a big agent or a manager. How do you find time to do all that hustling and what are the perks of an artist being in control of every aspect?

Hahahaha maybe you should ask me about the perks in a few weeks when I am not so stressed! Only joking, to be honest I love it, which is what drives me, I have never been asked by anyone if they can help or manage me, so I just get on with it. I am not even sure how I find the time, really you just do! I have amazing support from my husband and he is now taking on more of the financial side for me as I really only want to wear sparkly dresses and sing!

Musically, what has been the biggest bump in the road for you and what has been your biggest achievement to date?

The biggest hurdle for everyone I think is the bankroll, especially when you don’t have a backer, you have to be inventive and creative to get to where you want to be. My biggest achievement has to be performing at The Royal Albert Hall supporting Gladys, that was a bucket list moment for sure! If I am really honest, it’s all an achievement from every track that gets released, every gig that’s full and every new supporter of my music!

What’s your top tip for any budding Soul diva’s just starting out?

Be true to who you are, watch out for the snakes and make sure you are surrounded by people you trust!

What part do you most enjoy about your musical career, writing and recording or playing live on stage?

Playing live! That’s my home and I always hate it when a show finishes. I just sung 17 tracks back to back, some even extended remix’s for over 6 mins and I still did not want it to end!  Hahahaha!

You are just about to go on an album tour in the UK, where can we see you play?

My next date are Friday 8th April in Manchester, 9th Newcastle, 10th Birmingham, but please visit my web site

http://www.natashawattsmusic.co.uk 

where you can see my schedule and dates.

Who are your musical heroes, classic and current?

I love a lot of the greats – Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Etta James and newer artists like Jill Scott, Ledisi and Maxwell.

UK Soul Divas are quite rare these days, who else is cutting it at the moment?

There a lot of new UK talented singer / songwriters coming through – Debrah Debs, Hanlei and Diana Shaw to name but a few.

You’re also well known for dabbling in the housier side of things and there seems to be a lot of big vocal tracks doing the rounds, for example Dawn Tallman & Bob Sinclar’s monster hit ‘Feel The Vibe’ was massive, what are your thoughts on current House Music trends?

I love House music, that was my first passion and some of the vocalists in that particular area are on fire! I don’t follow trends, I never have and I simply try to write music that I love. I also tent not to listen to what others call the trend as I don’t ever want to seem that I am following it with my own writing.

Finally, what else have you coming up this year for us to look forward to?

I think you should all just watch this space, more music as always and of course more live shows, but there is big news coming soon and if you like you can be the first to know! but not yet ! Lol

Natasha Watts ‘2nd Time Around’ album will be released worldwide on April 15th 2016 on SedSoul