Balearica Unplugged
Hed Kandi’s sensational saxaphonist and vocalist Laura Fowles a.k.a. The Lovely Laura and producer extraordinaire Tyrrell have come together to bring you their debut artist album. They go back to basics, inspired by the beautiful Ibiza sunsets, they bring you a taste of their Balearic musical roots. They disconnect the decks, ditch the electronic beats and unplug the sound system stripping things back creating a medley of delicious covers of their favourite dance tunes from artists such as Calvin Harris, Deadmau5 & Kaskade, Friendly Fires, Empire of The Sun and Martin Solveig. Tyrrell picks up the acoustic guitar whilst Laura brings us a splash of soft, husky vocals and melodies. We speak to the lovely lady…
Laura, another stunning summer on the white isle with Hed Kandi at Es Paradis – how has this year compared to years gone by?
“Just as energetic, busy and fabulous as always! Quite encouraging really especially with the economy being in the state that it’s in.”
You must be so excited about the release of the new Hed Kandi Unplugged album performed by yourself and Tyrell – talk us through what this incredible acoustic album is all about….
“Very excited indeed! The original concept of the album was to discover how you would ‘unplug’ and perform acoustic versions of various songs that perhaps most people wouldn’t ever have imagined being performed acoustically. Certainly in the case of some of the club tracks we really enjoyed presenting them in an entirely different way to the original version. Our choices came from a long list of 100 possible tracks that we just worked through to learn which were best vocally and translated well to acoustic guitar. We felt that the final track selection was a good balance of songs that sound traditionally good when covered and songs that are completely unexpected. While being sympathetic to the originals, we’ve tried to twist and turn some of them on their heads, whilst also being aware of making an album of perfect ear kandi for chilling on the beach in Ibiza – which was also greatly helped by the added production from Steve Miller (Afterlife). It’s also the first big release for me as a vocalist, so this is an exciting time!”
Why do you think Hed Kandi stands out head and shoulders above similar glamorous house fuelled nights?
“I think it’s a combination of many things. From the day it was born, Hed Kandi has given us some incredible compilations of just pure quality house music. Not only that, the whole concept of the branding, the stunning artwork of the beautiful Hed Kandi girls by Jason Brooks – the two just go hand in hand perfectly. The fact this then hit the dancefloor and became an event with incredible production, glitter balls, glamorous dancers, great DJs and live performers, the whole ear and eye Kandi package was brought to life. Winning formula!”
What have been your highlights of the Summer?
“Playing on the moon – a dream come true!”
So, over to you. Tell us about your childhood musically, was it a musical house – was anyone in your family into music heavily?
“Yes, fortunately I had a lucky musical childhood. Both my parents’ sides of the family were very musical. My grandad had a jazz band during the Second World War and I have very fond memories of jamming with him on the piano when I was a little girl. He definitely passed the musical bug on to me!”
What artists first switched you into the world of jazz and soul and why?
“My mum tells me that when I was about two years old, I apparently fell into a trance every time she put Ella Fitzgerald on. Apparently my eyes would glaze over and I’d sit there wriggling my hands and feet in a state of pure ecstasy – sounds crackers to me, but I suppose it means I was switched into the world of jazz from a very young age. I grew up listening to Ella, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and sax players like Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Paul Desmond. Later in life I then discovered the incredible voices of Stevie Wonder, Aretha and Donny Hathaway to name but a few. They move me every time.”
At what point did you start to give heads up to the world of electronica?
“I think it was when I was at college studying a jazz degree, I started properly going out clubbing and immersing myself in the house music scene – I loved it! It wasn’t long after that when an opportunity arose for me to take on a gig with a DJ in Leeds jamming alongside his set. Crazy now to think way back then that was really the beginning of my career in this electronic music world that we are surrounded by now.”
If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
“My memory. It’s shocking! Many a time have I wanted the ground to swallow me up, especially when I’ve met the person about five times and I still say ‘nice to meet you’.”
As well as wowing crowds with your incredible saxaphone skills in clubs around the world, you have also, as a solo artist, performed at some very large venues…tell us about all that…
“I got invited to support Take That on their Beautiful World tour by Howard Donald, which was an honour! They were probably some of the best gigs I will ever perform. To sing your own songs to arenas like O2, NEC and M.E.N. is on another level was very moving.”
Who is your favourite Hed Kandi DJ?
“I love them all! Seriously though, they all have their own individual style and I have had some incredible gigs with all of them on separate occasions, so I really couldn’t pick one!”
What is the best and worst thing about a season in Ibiza?
“The best thing is definitely having this incredible island on your doorstep every morning. The worst thing is not making the most of it – I wish I could get up earlier every day as every summer comes and goes so quickly and I always end up wishing I had done more.”
What do you think has been the Hed Kandi anthem of the summer?
“I’ve heard various different bootlegs of Adele’s ‘Rollin’ In The Deep’ and it has gone off every time.”
What VIPs have you spotted on the floor this Summer?
“Coleen Rooney, Denise Van Outen, JLS and Elvis also popped by to see how we were doing…nice.”
What are your favourite restaurants and beaches in Ibiza?
“Restaurants: Fish Shack – near Sa Punta, Talamanca, Cana Sofia – Cala Vadella, Sa Soca – San Agustin.
Beaches: Def. my local beach Cala Vadella.”
Tough one – Formentera or Ibiza?
“Formentera is a place where I can really switch off though I have to be honest, I’ve not explored it as much as I would like, so at this moment in my life I will choose Ibiza – especially as it’s currently my home!”
How do you describe what you do to someone who doesn’t know you?
“I haven’t the foggiest!”
Tell us about your album ‘Off The Ground’…
“’Off The Ground’ is my latest jazz album that I released at the end of August this year. It was an album I recorded with my band before I left Leeds and moved to Ibiza so it’s quite exciting to finally release it. It’s mainly full of original tracks with some covers thrown in, but it’s something I’m quite proud of and it means a lot to me.”
What’s the coolest thing in your house?
“Our jacuzzi hot tub in the back garden. It’s amazing in the winter sitting in there gazing at the stars – of course that’s when I get five mins to do so!”
You and your big friend Tara McDonald and also Sam Obernik are certainly doing it for the girls at the moment…
“And they certainly deserve to be – both of them are incredible ladies. I’ve had great pleasure hanging out with Tara on many gigs in the past and she just knocks me off my feet every time she performs. She has an incredible voice with amazing stage presence. Both of them have had an immense contribution to female vocal house music… legends!”
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
“Be grateful for everything that happens in your life, even if it’s bad. You will eventually understand the reason why it happened and will learn something from it that will help build you into the person that you are now. We never stop learning.”
What are the big new tunes on your iPod right now?
“Really into Jamie Woon at the moment, his album ‘Mirror Writing’.
If you could make sweet music with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?
“Please can I have two? Stevie Wonder and Ella Fitzgerald.”
Here’s a good one for you. We roll back to your after an all night session of house at Hed Kandi, what are the 10 Back To Mine tunes you chill us to?
Yarbrough & Peoples – Don’t Stop The Music
Ella Fitzgerald – Wait Till You See Him (De-Phazz Remix)
Jamie Woon – Spirits
Air – All I Need
Nightmares On Wax – Les Nuits
Sade – Sweetest Taboo
Billie Holiday – Speak Low (Bent Remix)
Marvin Gay – Let’s Get It On
James Bright – By Your Side
Stan Getz – Moonlight In Vermont
What is the best Hed Kandi party you have ever played at?
“Space, Ibiza 2009.”
And finally, what are the plans for 2012 studio wise?
“I have a few plans in the pipeline. I’m eager to carry on making music with Robin Millar (Sade, Everthing But The Girl) as we were really on a good musical tip last winter. Also another jazz album but slightly more electronic, knowing me though and with the lack of spare time I have this is more like a 2020 plan!”
For details on the album check out…
