DOTMUSIC - Part 3
dotmusic: Hello again Geri, how much input do you have in the studio regarding production? Geri: "I'm one of these people who sit in with the producer. I dont like to tread on their toes but I annoy them a little bit. Im a bit irritating because I do lean over their shoulder and say look can you put that in there? Theres a song called Lift Me Up and I said I want bird sounds there. Im always saying can you turn my voice up, can you put that bass line in fatter - no I dont like that crispy sound. Ive got a feeling inside my head that I know how it should sound. You should let the person do their job, but the best communicator of how it should sound is you." dotmusic: Is that difficult? Geri: "Its hard to edit yourself and be objective. I think The Beatles had it right. They had their vocals right up and I love that when its right here so its talking and to be able to hear every word I say. I hate it when I cant understand the words you cant sing along." dotmusic: The Spice Girls crossed over from being pop stars to icons and even cool people liked them for their kitsch value. Is that something you want to maintain? Geri: "Whatever I gave to the Spice Girls Im taking it with me. Music is fantastic - it can be your best friend it can lift you when youre down - but I never waste a word when Im writing. Theres something to be said when youre writing and you can talk about things. You dont have to ram it down peoples throats. What Ive always said, even when the Spice Girls first got on TV, is Im a nutter but theres a method in my madness. Every song has a real meaning for me on one level and on another level its superficial. I can either write about hotel rooms or about me and my feelings. The way I write is open enough for people to be able to say no, thats my relationship." dotmusic: Can you tell us about the book youre writing? Geri: "The book? Well Ive been writing diaries since I was 15 and I always knew Id be writing a book and so Ive recorded things and written lists. Its kind of like a 21st century biography, its a media child chasing rainbows and how it feels to get there. Im one of the first generation thats had television saturation and Ive been brought up on that and I am a product of that. "Were all chasing dreams and I got it and everything is referenced to music its all about music in the 80s cos music is the soundtrack of our lives. Ive been brutally honest about my life its sad and honest. Its not just for fans, but this is a story and I think everybody has their story. It will be out before Christmas but I cant tell you what its called." dotmusic: Some of our users have asked if you plan to record in a language other than English? Geri: "I'll definitely be recording in Spanish. Ill translate a few of them and release them as singles. I'll have to quickly go and do it. I kind of know which songs theyll be, probably chico de leenda. I'd like to sing in French but its too hard." dotmusic: What do you make of the Internet and its possibilities? Geri: "I think David Bowie did an interesting thing where he did an online concert and you all went to that room. Its mind blowing. The internet is liberating and I love the way it has no boundaries. It doesnt matter what the media says its a loose cannon and you can do what you like with it." dotmusic: Like the digital postcard dotmusic did for your singles release? Geri: "Thats fantastic. Its brilliant isnt it? Its amazing." source: dotmusic  |
The
final part of our exclusive series of chats with Geri Halliwell.