GUYS AND PEOPLE Interview Lisa Stansfield: "The French understand me as a person"
No longer presents Lisa Stansfield, British icon to millions of albums sold. She is one of the only white artists to have made a name for herself in the very closed world of the R & B during the 90s. Her hit " All around the world " has become an international classic and her duets have become legendary. (Queen, George Michael ..). On the occasion of the release of her eighth opus entitled "Deeper", the beautiful will occur in France on three dates in April 2018, the opportunity for GuysAndPeople to meet this talented artist as simple as friendly ...
GuysAndPeople : Is your new single "Billionaire" a message for all those women who think money can buy happiness?
Lisa Stansfield : Yes, but it's also a message for everyone not just for women. What I mean is that you can have all the riches of this vast world but if you can not share these things with others, it locks you into something very lonely. You become so alone, really.
In "Billionaire" you write: " I do not want to live with you in the hope that one day you die of a heart attack " these are harsh words ...
You know, there are people who live this everyday in this world. I thought maybe this beautiful young woman married to a very old man, I think this thought is part of his plan (laughs), between us I doubt his sexual attraction to him (laughs). It's sad, but many people get involved in a relationship for the wrong reasons. It happens every day, all the time, all over the world.
This woman is a prisoner of this relationship, is this a situation that you experienced before?
Not really. When I was married the first time, with an Italian, it is true that I felt very alone at that time. Only in the end, because I am that kind of people who falls in love very quickly. When I married him, I did not fall in love with the man but the way, his world, his culture, I especially wanted to leave my small town and discover the wild world (laughs). My story is different, you know he was not an oppressive person but he was so lonely. I'm not the kind of artist to tell my life in my songs, and then me when a situation does not suit me, I say no, stop, and I'm leaving.
No longer presents Lisa Stansfield, British icon to millions of albums sold. She is one of the only white artists to have made a name for herself in the very closed world of the R & B during the 90s. Her hit " All around the world " has become an international classic and her duets have become legendary. (Queen, George Michael ..). On the occasion of the release of her eighth opus entitled "Deeper", the beautiful will occur in France on three dates in April 2018, the opportunity for GuysAndPeople to meet this talented artist as simple as friendly ...
GuysAndPeople : Is your new single "Billionaire" a message for all those women who think money can buy happiness?
Lisa Stansfield : Yes, but it's also a message for everyone not just for women. What I mean is that you can have all the riches of this vast world but if you can not share these things with others, it locks you into something very lonely. You become so alone, really.
In "Billionaire" you write: " I do not want to live with you in the hope that one day you die of a heart attack " these are harsh words ...
You know, there are people who live this everyday in this world. I thought maybe this beautiful young woman married to a very old man, I think this thought is part of his plan (laughs), between us I doubt his sexual attraction to him (laughs). It's sad, but many people get involved in a relationship for the wrong reasons. It happens every day, all the time, all over the world.
This woman is a prisoner of this relationship, is this a situation that you experienced before?
Not really. When I was married the first time, with an Italian, it is true that I felt very alone at that time. Only in the end, because I am that kind of people who falls in love very quickly. When I married him, I did not fall in love with the man but the way, his world, his culture, I especially wanted to leave my small town and discover the wild world (laughs). My story is different, you know he was not an oppressive person but he was so lonely. I'm not the kind of artist to tell my life in my songs, and then me when a situation does not suit me, I say no, stop, and I'm leaving.
You're old school where the singers did not need to show off on social networks to boost their record sales, I do not seem to have seen you on Instagram, what is your relationship with social networks ?
In fact, I'm fine on Instagram, but the reason people do not find me easily is because you have to type @LisaJStansfield . This, because my name was used at the beginning, I had to lengthen it with a J (Lisa Jane Stansfield, note). I could not get my stage name back and the fans thought the existing account was mine. Alas, we could not know who was behind this account. So I authenticated my new account, and today everything is better. There are good things on social networks like interacting with my audience but also some hassles like these impersonation stories.
Now that we know that you are well connected, you must have fallen on the #TimesUp hastag what do you think of this movement?
All in all I think it's a good thing about TimesUp and #MeToo too. The only concern with #MeToo is that some women who do not have much to say come jump on the back of band wagon when they are not involved. We must let the real victims speak. They trivialize everything why women have fought so far. " This one touched my buttocks #MeToo this one looked at my #MeToo cleavage ", they trivialize this movement and move us away from the real subject, from the real suffering that many women are experiencing. And then it became a kind of witch hunt, an anti-man war, but you have to know that if we are alone, we can not ask for gender equality. We want equality between men, women, gays, heterosexuals, blacks, whites, for each culture, so that the dominations cease. We should all be equal and fight to maintain that equality and not fight to find out which one is the worst or the most powerful over the other. We must put this equality in place and respect it. But that's all wrong when you try to take revenge on the wrong person. Do not do the same thing to the individual who hurt you, because you will be as bad as he is in the end. I'm not saying that we have to be downcast, but to make things smarter. Seize justice is one but lynching on the networks I do not know if this is the real solution?
Your eighth album is called "Deeper", does it mean that the songs it contains have more sense?
Yes, with time you see things in another way. I can not really explain it but I try to see more the good, the beauty of things. When you're involved in a long relationship, things get deeper but you can not explain what's different when there's obviously a big difference because there's been a steady progression, love has evolved deeper "deeper and deeper". You do not realize it and sometimes you have this surprising feeling where you say to yourself "I never thought I could feel more than I had felt before". Then you realize that it happens more and more often, again and again. It surprises you every time and it gives you the desire to continue as for this album.
Why wait four years to release this new album?
The others may have waited but I was working! (Laughs). You know when you're away for a while, and I guess that's the case for a lot of artists, people think you're sitting in a chair, you're pouring it sweet, in a cage with food and after 4 years you reappear with what you could draw (laughs). More seriously, it's because it was an important preparation with my team.
Writing especially ...
Yes I write constantly. The question I ask myself is: " Do I want to record a new album every year and be in the news? ". The answer is no. I need to feel that it is the moment, that it works in the sense that I imagine before proposing my project to my public and this, even if it must take 10 to 15 years between each album.
This is a project of pop / soul but you have a habit of remixing your titles for the clubbers, will this be the case with "Deeper"?
Yes of course, everyone appreciates when I do it on my songs. My audience likes being able to listen to the same song in 45 different ways (laughs). When you know the specialized and competent people, this process is really interesting especially from a creative point of view. Because when you create a thing, a song, you can not exploit its potential 100% in the first place. So, putting this creation in the hands of a person who sees things differently can sometimes allow you to get the best out of it.
When one is an artist like you who has had the chance to collaborate with the greatest ones such as Barry White or George Michael, do we still want to work with other talents? If yes which ?
God! You can get me two or three and I answer you yes or no (laughs). I do not have one because there are so many artists and different universes. If I had to work or sing with another artist he / she should certainly not be similar to my style but be quite different. So we could get something strange, original and / or magical. The duo must bring a real plus if it's boring ...
You are also an actress, there is a role that you covet? A character you would like to interpret?
Not really, I just like being able to play and enjoy it. When I work as an actress and rub shoulders with all those famous stars of the big screen, I'm like a little child " Oh look there! And him ! (Laughs) I am already famous in my profession as a solo singer, and being able to practice, from time to time, the actress's job in the cinema or the theater, which I really like, is already a beautiful gift. I love chatting with these wonderful actresses and learning. I do not prefer to imagine making a career but yes I would like to shoot more at the cinema.
Your first album was released 29 years ago, your voice is still solid and beautiful, your physique is appreciable, what is your secret?
I think we just do not take ourselves seriously, really. Do not take in the first degree all the compliments that people often tell you, like: " As you are beautiful, you are beautiful, wonderful ... ". They flatter you but do not imagine when you're at home with your morning head. Come on, get off of there band of fake asses (laughs).
That's what makes you stand in this industry, this retreat, the fact of being you, so frank?
Honestly, I think so. Staying true to yourself and not locking yourself into an image that others would like to see of you. When you are famous and you are in this business, people expect and expect a lot from you but you can not satisfy them all. So the best of solutions and stay you. Even if it's sometimes less seller (laughs). You can not be fifty people at a time. Stay yourself and you will never regret.
What is your relationship with your French fans?
I think I have an excellent relationship with the French public. Because the French understand me as a person. They know that I am a down-to-earth person and I think that's what they like about me. I really think it's a super public in the sense that they are very loyal. They are very affectionate but if you offend them they will blame you forever! (laughs) So you have to be very careful with them. I have never offended them yet and I touch wood (she taps on the wooden table, ed) so that it never happens. I have always expressed my opinions and I think that is what binds us with the French .
Are you excited about seeing them on stage again soon?
Yes very excited, especially that we are going to Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux. It's really going to be very interesting.
The concert in Paris is already sold out weeks ago, how do you feel about this welcome?
I just can not wait to be there. It's always the first time when you perform in Paris. It's always madness with the Parisian public.
What can we wish you for the next ten years?
Well, I'm still alive (laughs) and I'm still singing so you can come back to interview my cabbage.
" Deeper " (EarMusic) available from April 6, 2018 on all legal download platforms.The dates of his tour (Gérard Drouot productions):
23.04.18: PARIS - The Trianon (Complete)
27.04.18: NANTES - City of Congress
28.04.18: BORDEAUX - Fémina Theater
In fact, I'm fine on Instagram, but the reason people do not find me easily is because you have to type @LisaJStansfield . This, because my name was used at the beginning, I had to lengthen it with a J (Lisa Jane Stansfield, note). I could not get my stage name back and the fans thought the existing account was mine. Alas, we could not know who was behind this account. So I authenticated my new account, and today everything is better. There are good things on social networks like interacting with my audience but also some hassles like these impersonation stories.
Now that we know that you are well connected, you must have fallen on the #TimesUp hastag what do you think of this movement?
All in all I think it's a good thing about TimesUp and #MeToo too. The only concern with #MeToo is that some women who do not have much to say come jump on the back of band wagon when they are not involved. We must let the real victims speak. They trivialize everything why women have fought so far. " This one touched my buttocks #MeToo this one looked at my #MeToo cleavage ", they trivialize this movement and move us away from the real subject, from the real suffering that many women are experiencing. And then it became a kind of witch hunt, an anti-man war, but you have to know that if we are alone, we can not ask for gender equality. We want equality between men, women, gays, heterosexuals, blacks, whites, for each culture, so that the dominations cease. We should all be equal and fight to maintain that equality and not fight to find out which one is the worst or the most powerful over the other. We must put this equality in place and respect it. But that's all wrong when you try to take revenge on the wrong person. Do not do the same thing to the individual who hurt you, because you will be as bad as he is in the end. I'm not saying that we have to be downcast, but to make things smarter. Seize justice is one but lynching on the networks I do not know if this is the real solution?
Your eighth album is called "Deeper", does it mean that the songs it contains have more sense?
Yes, with time you see things in another way. I can not really explain it but I try to see more the good, the beauty of things. When you're involved in a long relationship, things get deeper but you can not explain what's different when there's obviously a big difference because there's been a steady progression, love has evolved deeper "deeper and deeper". You do not realize it and sometimes you have this surprising feeling where you say to yourself "I never thought I could feel more than I had felt before". Then you realize that it happens more and more often, again and again. It surprises you every time and it gives you the desire to continue as for this album.
Why wait four years to release this new album?
The others may have waited but I was working! (Laughs). You know when you're away for a while, and I guess that's the case for a lot of artists, people think you're sitting in a chair, you're pouring it sweet, in a cage with food and after 4 years you reappear with what you could draw (laughs). More seriously, it's because it was an important preparation with my team.
Writing especially ...
Yes I write constantly. The question I ask myself is: " Do I want to record a new album every year and be in the news? ". The answer is no. I need to feel that it is the moment, that it works in the sense that I imagine before proposing my project to my public and this, even if it must take 10 to 15 years between each album.
This is a project of pop / soul but you have a habit of remixing your titles for the clubbers, will this be the case with "Deeper"?
Yes of course, everyone appreciates when I do it on my songs. My audience likes being able to listen to the same song in 45 different ways (laughs). When you know the specialized and competent people, this process is really interesting especially from a creative point of view. Because when you create a thing, a song, you can not exploit its potential 100% in the first place. So, putting this creation in the hands of a person who sees things differently can sometimes allow you to get the best out of it.
When one is an artist like you who has had the chance to collaborate with the greatest ones such as Barry White or George Michael, do we still want to work with other talents? If yes which ?
God! You can get me two or three and I answer you yes or no (laughs). I do not have one because there are so many artists and different universes. If I had to work or sing with another artist he / she should certainly not be similar to my style but be quite different. So we could get something strange, original and / or magical. The duo must bring a real plus if it's boring ...
You are also an actress, there is a role that you covet? A character you would like to interpret?
Not really, I just like being able to play and enjoy it. When I work as an actress and rub shoulders with all those famous stars of the big screen, I'm like a little child " Oh look there! And him ! (Laughs) I am already famous in my profession as a solo singer, and being able to practice, from time to time, the actress's job in the cinema or the theater, which I really like, is already a beautiful gift. I love chatting with these wonderful actresses and learning. I do not prefer to imagine making a career but yes I would like to shoot more at the cinema.
Your first album was released 29 years ago, your voice is still solid and beautiful, your physique is appreciable, what is your secret?
I think we just do not take ourselves seriously, really. Do not take in the first degree all the compliments that people often tell you, like: " As you are beautiful, you are beautiful, wonderful ... ". They flatter you but do not imagine when you're at home with your morning head. Come on, get off of there band of fake asses (laughs).
That's what makes you stand in this industry, this retreat, the fact of being you, so frank?
Honestly, I think so. Staying true to yourself and not locking yourself into an image that others would like to see of you. When you are famous and you are in this business, people expect and expect a lot from you but you can not satisfy them all. So the best of solutions and stay you. Even if it's sometimes less seller (laughs). You can not be fifty people at a time. Stay yourself and you will never regret.
What is your relationship with your French fans?
I think I have an excellent relationship with the French public. Because the French understand me as a person. They know that I am a down-to-earth person and I think that's what they like about me. I really think it's a super public in the sense that they are very loyal. They are very affectionate but if you offend them they will blame you forever! (laughs) So you have to be very careful with them. I have never offended them yet and I touch wood (she taps on the wooden table, ed) so that it never happens. I have always expressed my opinions and I think that is what binds us with the French .
Are you excited about seeing them on stage again soon?
Yes very excited, especially that we are going to Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux. It's really going to be very interesting.
The concert in Paris is already sold out weeks ago, how do you feel about this welcome?
I just can not wait to be there. It's always the first time when you perform in Paris. It's always madness with the Parisian public.
What can we wish you for the next ten years?
Well, I'm still alive (laughs) and I'm still singing so you can come back to interview my cabbage.
" Deeper " (EarMusic) available from April 6, 2018 on all legal download platforms.The dates of his tour (Gérard Drouot productions):
23.04.18: PARIS - The Trianon (Complete)
27.04.18: NANTES - City of Congress
28.04.18: BORDEAUX - Fémina Theater