In - Das Star-Magazin

Magazine

Xmas-Interview

Germany 20.12.2007

3 minutes with Mel C

"I give T-Shirts as a presents"

Probably until March, the Reunion-Tour of the Spice Girls will continue. Mel C has no fear of what will happen afterwards, because she is very successful as a soloartist as well: She sold almost 5 million albums until now (current CD: "This Time")...

Mel, do you actually have time to celebrate Christmas?
 

I don't have enough time to prepare everything this year, since the first part of our world-tour ends in Madrid on December 23rd. That's why my friend Tom and me celebrate at my mother's home in Liverpool. She is so kind to put a turkey into the oven.

You've been giving your brother Paul a sports car, once. What do you present this year?

I ordered some things in the internet - and my mom packs them in. Apart from that i give a lot of Spice-Girls-T-Shirts as present. Quite practical, right?

How is the christmas eve at home, when you have time?

I decorate our house in Wales with mistletoes and lights, i bake cookies and i invite many friends for a dinner. My friend always makes the menue/meal. This year it's all a little more decent.

What do you love the most about Tom?

Actually everything. He is lovable/gentle and at the same time self-willed. He approaches people open, i am more of shy.
Furthermore he is sporty and loves countrylife as i do.

SchoolJam Magazine

Germany 14.09.2007

From Sporty Spice to Solostar and back

(Credits: Stefan)

Melanie C – From Sporty Spice to Solostar and back!

Actually Mel C doesn’t need a Spice Girls Reunion, because her solo career got going. Her “Ways to luck” ((Wege zum Glück)) came up due to the telenovela with the same name on ZDF, which had chosen First Day Of My Life as themesong. Her breaktrough!

 What are your musical roots? What did you do musically before you came to the Spice Girls?

 I was influenced by my mother, who is a singer as well. She still plays in bands and she started with this, when she was 14 years old. She comes from Liverpool, where i also grew up. When she became older, the Beatles left a big musical “influence” in Liverpool. She used to play in Folk-Bands at first, but her music developed very strong, now she’s a rock singer, which was a big inspiration for me. Music became a part of my life, juts because my mother‘s life was all about music. I listened to her vinyls: Motown, the Beatles, Dusty Springfield... In the 80’s i listened to more pop music like Madonna, Michael Jackson or Wham!. I can’t remember a time, where music didn’t play a role in my life, and to be on stage has always been my wish to do. I started dancing very early, like every other girl and i played theatre and did sports in school. But my favourite thing was to listen to music and to do music. In school i took music lessons and i wrote my first song at the age of 14, i think. Music is the love of my life in my opinion. It brought me through some tough times and built me up, when i didn’t feel fine.

Do you also play an instrument?

Well, i can read notes, but i can’t play an instrument that good. I can do some chords on the guitar and melodies on the keyboard, but that’s all.

So how do you compose?

I do that with my voice, because i realised i can work with this method the best. I always work with really good musicians and they think it’s fun to write music with me.

Do you always bring a small recording set with you to be able to record your ideas quickly?

Yes. And i love computers, which are fantastic. You can sit in your hotel room and record things easily.

How important are the lyrics in your music?

The lyrics are very important! I like to write personal songs about topics, which i can identify myself with. And there are many things in my life, which i have expressed in my music - which i couldn’t express in conversations. Sometimes the music gives me more opportunities to put your emotions in a nutshell and to understand them. When i sing songs other people wrote for me, there has to be something in the lyrics, which i can identify myself with, because i’m a very emotional singer. And i am honest when i perform, that’s why there has to be a little bit of truth i believe in the lyrics.

But you also write your own lyrics, right?

Yes, mostly. Only sometimes i sing compositions from other people.

Do you start writing first and think about a melody afterwards or how do you go ahead?

I love it, when both things happen at the same time. When i work with songwriters first we talk about what happens in our lives at the moment and afterwards we think about what song we can make. Usually the feeling comes up by itself. And then we play a little bit, search for chords or work on a loop. An idea for a melody or a text emerges mostly at the same time. And I realised that the best songs are those, where everything is there from the beginning and which developes from a natural flow.

How important is it for you to play live?

It’s absolute the most important thing for me. It’s the reason why i am in the music industry and it’s the most fulfilling part of my work. I love to write and to record. Promotion sometimes is a little bit boring...

 ...oh I’m sorry...

 ...no, that’s ok. I enjoy every part of my work. But everything aims at the Live-Performance. When you’re in a Promo phase, when you have to go to the radio and talk with the press, it’s sometimes a little bit frustrating, because you absolutely want to go on stage, although you know you aim at this. That is why we always try to play as much as we can, when we go to Promo-Dates. When we visit the radio for instance, we play a small acoustic-set, because it can drive you mad to answer the same questions all the time. It is good to know, that you can perform there and to have something you can look forward to.

Is it a big difference for you to play in a stadium or in a small club?

 I like every performance. Every location has different demands. When you play at an Open-Air in front of many people, you have to take care of not doing too much. Because of this the sound on stage is very important. You have to have a lot of energy and you have to retain control.

Clubs are my favourite places, because they are more intimate – i love it hot and sweaty. There you have the best atmosphere for the songs and you can do crazy things. But on the other hand to play on a festival with 100,000 people is an amazing feeling. Or playing a radioshow with 30 people in the audience is awesome, it brings you further. Because these are the performances, which make a good Live-Act of you. You have to gain experiences, overcome your fears and learn to deal with your nerves.

So the tip for young musicians: to play live as often as you can?

 You should take every opportunity – at home or in school: Do it! Because it’s like with other things: you improve yourself with this.

 Did you ever work with a Vocal-Coach?

 Yes, i always do. I think that is very important. I think many singers fear, that they could influence their sound. Coaching doesn’t change your sound, it is good for your technique. When you go on tour, you don’t have enough time for sleeping and you can fall ill very fast. So you have to learn to deal with it and to take care of your voice. It’s ok for a guitarist or a keyboarder to kick over the traces, but a singer can’t do this, because he would loose his voice. You have to maintain discipline.

 Do you have a tip for people, who want to start singing?

 I think the best way is to put on a record and sing along. That’s what i did. I used to sing along to Whitney Houston and Annie Lennox, so i can say, do it! Confidence is the most important part of singing, because everyone can sing. Well, there are people who sound more beautiful or sing better than other people, but confidence is the key to success. In addition you can attend the school choir or take music lessons.

 Gerald Dellmann

InTouch

Magazine

Germany

27.09.2007

I had to struggle for everything!

(Credits: Stefan)

Index: Fighter: Mel C explains in the interview she stands her ground

“I had to struggle for everything!”

Mel C (33): In December it’s finally coming, the Spice Girls go on tour again. InTouch talked with Mel C about the Girlgroup-Comeback, her doubts and why she only thinks of herself...

Left Mel-Pic 1: Mel C is the only Spice Girl, who can look back at a successful solo career.

She continues it after the reunion tour: “I feel very comfortable with being a solo artist!”

Left Mel-Pic 2: “I am a struggler/fighter! It’s good to have this fiery feeling in the stomach...”

Interview:

In the beginning Mel C wasn’t excited about a Spice Girls Reunion. Will this work? Isn’t the time of the band already over/history? The singer also disliked the strict diet rules and the fitness plan of Victoria Beckham. It almost looked like as if the whole reunion would fail because of Mel’s “No”. But then Sporty Spice changed her mind...

On December 7 it’s finally starting – the big Spice Girls Reunion tour. Are you excited about it?

I am very nervous. Everytime i go on stage i’m nervous. It’s actually a good thing.

But it’s different with the Spice Girls...

Yeah. Of course there's a difference when i perform as a solo artist or as part of a girlgroup. I can’t say what’s more difficult. I’ve been away from a girlgroup for a very long time and i actually feel very comfortable being alone on stage...

Is this the reason for your doubts at first, when you heard about a comeback?

When we met for the first time to talk about reunion plans, i had worries. We haven’t been together for a long time. Will this work? But when we all saw each other, suddenly it was like in old times! The chemistry between us is still perfect. I am sure it will work on stage as well. Everyone goes back to their old role.

It’s beautiful to go on tour with girls again. You don’t feel so alone, right?

Well, i’ve also experienced to feel lonely although i was in a room full of people, Sometimes i have the feeling to be all alone. And it is like this: at the end of the day you’re the only person, you can count on.

But aren’t there people you trust?

Yes, there are. My family and my friends always support me. And i can always call my wonderful boyfriend, when i’m on tour and when i am homesick. Nevertheless i am responsible for myself.

You try to express this feeling of your life with your music. Your lyrics often are about Girlpower and strength.

Yes, because i’m a fighter! We all have to cope with so many things in life – the only thing that helps is to struggle through. I always had to fight for everything, in the family or in my career.

Right Spice-Pic: 1994-2000 – these were the big years of the Spice Girls. Now a reunion is coming. “This is gonna be great”, Mel says excited.

Infobox below: She has music in her blood: Mel’s mom also sings!

Left Pic: “When i was a child i thought all mamas were singers”, Mel says. She used to go with her mother to her concerts – like here when she was 22 years old – now it’s the other way round.

Text: Mel’s mother: Joan used to sing in “The Cavern”, a pub in Liverpool, where the Beatles also performed before! The Folk-Rock-Singer got to know Alan Chisholm there, Mel’s father.

Right Pic: Joan Chisholm. When Joan performed with her band “Petticoat & Vine”, she called herself Cathy Tuffley. The band broke up, “Cathy” went on solo.

InTouch Magazine

Germany 13.09.2007

Will she cancel the tour?

(Credits: Stefan)

Will she cancel the tour?

Mel C (33): The strict rules with the Spice Girls gets on the singers nerves! Will she seperate?

Left Mel-Pic: Not with me! Mel C is against the rules, instead of she wants to encourage her solo-career. An insider says: “Her new single, coming out in October, is her priority, she will have less time for the band.”

Text: The comeback-tour didn’t start yet and Mel C is already thinking about seperating. The reason: “Order” and rules within the bandmembers. A strict plan to keep their fitness for the concerts in December. The girls have to be in bed at 10:30 pm while their tour on days without concerts, they aren’t allowed to drink alcohol and they already have to follow the strict diet rules. Very clear for Mel C: This doesn’t work with me, although she gets 15 Million Euro for the tour. “She’s tired of being commanded”, a friend says. Recently her bandmate Victoria Beckham played the band-boss, she wanted the Spice Girls to keep them fit through a slim-line-extreme diet. But Mel C doesn’t want to hear anything about it – because of her fear to fall back to anorexia! “When I was with the Spice Girls i was underweight and i had an unhealthy life”, she explains. “I was so thin, that my period stayed out and that my bones became brittle”. And it is driving her mad, because the managment of the Spice Girls want to control family plans. The band members are not allowed to get pregnant! No problem for the newly mamas Emma Bunton and Mel B. But Mel C hasn’t got a child yet, she absolutely wants to have a baby from her fiancé Tom Starr. “I want to be a mum”, she announced recently. A close friend: “The situation is very tense, Mel C even doesn’t speak a word with Mel B, Victoria or Geri since June.” They can overcome the crisis with a good association. An insider: “The girls keep an eye on Mel C but with caution. The tour will definitely start with or without her.”

Right Spice Pic: Victoria, Geri, Emma and Melanie stick together – even if they have to go without Mel C / Sporty Spice

These rules get on Mel C’s nerves

                - Pressure to do sport: Mel C loves sport but please without pressure!

                - Dietplan: No Burgers anymore. The band have to do a salad & strawberry diet
- No baby: Mel C isn’t allowed to get pregnant yet!
- No alcohol: That’s very hard for a British woman: “I can’t believe you can’t have small drinks after the show!”, Mel says.

Gala Magazine

Germany 26.07.2007

Melanie C spending a nice time in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

(Credits: Stefan)

     Page 1:
That's my spicy Palma
Hotspots on Mallorca: Here the British singer and the "Spain Lover" Melanie C spends some vacation days before she starts with the big Spice-Girls-Comeback. Relaxed and in a good mood she exclusively invited GALA to visit the capitol Palma.
Photos: Heiko Prigge
[...]

     Page 2:
Under the famous cathedral of Palma you can see where this town got its name from: Melanie C surrounded by palms

     Page 3:
    2nd Pic:
Melanie C enjoys the wide view above Palma's roofs. [...]

    Yoga-Pics:
The Yoga Studio Yoga You (right), which opened a couple of months ago, is a quiet oasis in the town. [...] Melanie C, who has been doing Yoga already for years, is glad to have a hour with David Lurey (above), a guest teacher from San Francisco

     Text:
It's very clear: English people occupy a lot of deckchairs for sunbathing very early in the morning, best place next to the pool - the Germans have to hurry up even before breakfast to get deck chairs. "Yes, i also heard about that already, but the other way around", laughs Melanie C. "The German people, you are the ones, who like to reserve deck chairs. And you think, that we English people like to get drunk on vacations." Another loud laughter. "Okay, we know we have this reputation, but actually this is just a cliche, isn't it?"
She might be right. At least here above on a dreamy roof garden above Palma's roofs, 360-Degrees-all-round-view including. Melanie takes a deep breath and lets her hair move in the wind for a moment. The sun shines like on a postcard and you can hear swallows everywhere. There's no better way to enjoy the capitol of the island. [...]

     Page 4:
"I love the country, the people and the lifestyle here in Spain"

    Text:
[...]Cuisine[...]Yogastudio[...]Boutique[...]spanisch wine[...]
A place, where Ex- and Soon-Again-Spice-Girl Melanie C feels comfortable.
A grown love. "I remember, when i think of Spain, my childhood automatically, because i used to visit Spain every year for six weeks in the summer vacations. My dad worked there for some time. When i came back here, i suddenly had those beautiful memories of my childhood", the 33-year-old says with shiny eyes. Memories of nice fragrances, fantastic cuisine, very beautiful bays and beaches, but also on trees, which she never saw somewhere else, Mel says. "Okay, i think the last time i've been on Majorca was, when i was two years old, i can't remember exactly. But i often have been to Ibiza, the flair everywhere on the Baleares is similar. Unfortunately i don't speak Spanish, but i love this country, i love the people and the lifestyle here."
A lifestyle, which helps Melanie C to relax even in a short time. "Within a week i am on the road at least four days. I really love to travel, only a few things like to pack bags to wait at airports, delays and more things i don't like, which are part of travelling of course." Those phenomenons will probably appear more often: Because in winter the successful Soloartist Melanie C will be for a short time Sporty Spice again after six years of seperation - world tour amongst others with eleven concerts on six continents. "For a time, easy to grasp. This will be a big thank you and a bye-bye to all our fans all over the world."
The hard work doesn't deter her. Quite the reverse: "I've been doing this already for 11 years, i had the time to get used to it", summarizes Melanie with almost a Mallorquian composure. "Now and then there are times where i don't work." She could get used to this state, especially on her new favourite island Majorca.
Michael Schacht

    Album:
On Melanie C's current CD, her successful fourth Soloalbum "This Time" (Warner), you can hear among others the hitsingles "The Moment You Believe" and "I Want Candy". She prooves again that her voice is the voice, which imprints on our minds the most from all the reunited Spice Girls.

In - Das Star-Magazin

Germany 22.03.2007

'There will be no Spice Girls Comeback!'

(Scan & Translation by Phoenixx)

The introduction starts with a description how beautiful she looks these days and that the interviewer wouldn’t have recognized her if he didn’t know it was Melanie C to present her new Album This Time in Hamburg.
In the introduction he also says that he was surprised of how good she sang (only acoustically).

Interview:
In: Wow! What a make over, you seem to be a completely different person with your new style, super sexy!
MC: Thanks! I like my new style as well (laughs). Although you might not have had the impression in the old days: But I love clothes – and the change. It is to me like an evolution to always try new styles. But to the satisfaction of everyone: Whenever I am at home or doing sports I still wear more comfortable cloth and no make–up.

In: You strong voice is something very special, one can recognize it out of one hundred others. How do you take care of it?
MC: Since years I’m working together with my vocal coach, always learning new things and how to use my voice in the best way and, on the other hand, how to take special care of it. When you’re travelling so much and playing so many shows that has to be the first priority.

In: During the Spice-Times you were an idol to many. Do you have an idol yourself?
MC: Yes, Madonna is a big, big idol of mine

In: But she only sings half as good as you…
MC: (laughs very loudly) Really?

In: Have you ever been to one of her concerts?
MC: I’ve been to many of her Live-Shows.

In: And? How did you like it?
MC: Madonna has always been an honest person – also honest to herself. She never claimed to be a huge singer. She is simply a great artist concerning everything she does. And she is a very good songwriter.

In: At the moment there are again rumours about a Spice Girls reunion…
MC: … and the only thing I do all the time is saying that it is not the truth. Victoria’s Manager Simon Fuller seems to be telling everyone that a Reunion is already a signed thing – but that is not true. Nobody asked me yet. I can only repeat it again: There will be no Spice Reunion! At least none including new CD’s or Tours. I am not saying that there won’t be a one-and-off gig like Live Aid, but nothing more than that.

In: Why not?
MC: How should that work? Melanie B is pregnant. Emma is pregnant. Geri is a young and Victoria a triple mother. We girls love each other very much, we meet each other once in a time. No Quarrels! But a reunion wouldn’t fit at the moment. All of us being on Tour for months? Together with Kids and co.? Forget it. I can tell your readers: Especially in England they write so much bullshit: Don’t believe everything you read! And don’t believe what they write about Victoria….

In: Victoria got some problems at the moment anyway: moving to the US, Kids, David is travelling lots – and everywhere paparazzi…
MC: It is the life she chose to live and loves. Believe me: she can handle that very well and she is a very, very lovely mum.

In: What about you and having Kids? You are the only Spice Girl without a Kid.
MC: Yes, and? Not every woman needs to be a mother. At the moment I’m only concentrating on my Solo-career, which is running quite good. Of course I want to have Kids one day – but not now!

In: Are you still together with your boyfriend Thomas Starr?
MC: Yes we are still together, happy since 5 years.

In: Is wedding a topic?
MC: No, not at the moment.

In: Did he ask yet?
MC: (laughs) You really want to know it in detail, don’t you? No. But we’ve talked about it. Is that enough?

    Article:

London - The Popsensation of this year is ready - the "Spice Girls" want to come back to the stage. All together!
Five years after the separation the most successful Girl-Band of all times plans a Superconcert in the Hydepark in London with a England-Tour afterwards. All together: Victoria Beckham (32, "Posh"), Geri Halliwell (34, "Ginger"), Emma Bunton (31, "Baby Spice"), "Mel C Melanie Chisholm (33) and also Melanie Brown (31, "Mel B"), who always thwarted the reunion-plans so far.
The first appearance will be a Charitygig in aid of Aids help from Rock-Star Bono. But is this Comeback really used as a good purpose? A Insider: "They're planning to earn some Millions quickly." The Profit of the concert goes to the Aid agency, the girls demand 3.75 Million Euro for the TV-rights - for each one... 
 
    At the right side:

United again: Mel B, Geri, Mel C, Emma and Victoria from the Spice Girls

5: Power from the universe: Mel C (33) believes in the power of stars. The Chinese symbol aswell stands for energy. The Celtic armwreath however is only a 'Body Decoration' without a meaning

Here the best proof: the colour grey also can make good mood. The singer loves to wear her stylish Tweed overcoat in winter, before she goes into London's nightlife.

(Credits: Stefan)

Germany 19.12.2006

Current DVD's

(Credits: Stefan)

(Credits: Rui_Mcardoso)

Portugal 15.12.2006

1. pic: Melanie was the star of one of the "Clube" dedicated to politics. But there was no party discussion about music and everybody vibed with the ex-spice girl

2. pic: Melanie visited the "Clube"
It was a quick visit. The ex-spice girl Melanie C visited the Clube to promote her new released DVD and brought a legion of fans with her. The hysteria invaded the DN galery's!! It was short, but there was time for a quick talk, two very well known songs and lots of good disposition.

3. pic: Many stars visited the Clube! Melanie C, Marta Faial, Tomás Santos....And other that you haven't seen on TV! The show theme was politics, but yesterday on the audience of Clube nobody wanted to listen about politics....After all the special guest was Melanie C! It's every day that we get to see an international star so close.
While the fans jumped with joy near the singer, in the backstage another pretty known star watched live: Isaac Alfaiate! ....

Germany 07.12.2006

Current DVD's

"Cool clubatmosphere - Sporty Spice very close"

whole article

extract of Melanie C picture   

     Extract of Melanie C
"Sporty" sings hits - She is the only successful soloartist after the band separation. In England now her first Live-DVD comes out. In private life Mel (32) is very happy with her boyfriend Thomas Starr for several years.

Germany 18.10.2006

"1996: Absolute Girlpower! Spice Girls"

(Credits: Stefan)

1996: Absolute Girlpower!
Spice Girls Girlpower! In 1996 this was the "fight cry" of the five English girls. And they were right: Everything Victoria, Geri, Emma, Mel B and Mel C did immediately became very successful thanks to their power. They sold incredible 23 Million copies with their first album!

Rhein-Nahe-Zeitung News Paper, Germany

(Scan & Translation by Stefan)

Once you entered upon with the maxim to make the world more spicy: "Spice Up Your World". Would you say that you've been successful with this?

(Screenshot and translation by Stefan)
Find audiofiles from this interview here.)