Aussie Popstrel Gina G on the new album, club DJing, and 'THAT' song

Gina G? Back? That's damned right. The 90's Aussie popstrel is back on the scene and ready to take on the clubs. Just don't mention 'Ooh Ahh…'

Chris White caught up with Gina G ahead of the release of her new single to talk DJing, club sounds, rappers, and why she's in different league entirely to Gaga et al...

So it's been nearly five years since your last music release 'Tonight's The Night' in 2006 - where have you been and what have you been up to?

I had another baby!  That kept me really busy for a few years. Now that both of my kids are in school, I can concentrate 100% on the music. I’ve always been writing and recording since 2006, in preparation I guess for when I got the chance to go “gung ho” again. Now, the time is here!

Your new single 'Next 2 You' Featuring Vigilante is released on October 9th. How does it feel to be back on the music scene?

Like a day has not passed. I think no one was more surprised than me to be able to just slip right back into performance mode after so long. But… I have been constantly preparing for a comeback. Keeping myself on the scene. My agent is always being contacted for me to perform and appear on TV shows. I’ve turned down a lot of shows like “Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here”. NO WAY!!  And a host of other shows that are not for me.

I’ve been to Australia and performed, been back to the UK now and then to do live gigs. I’m constantly writing songs, recording, dance classes and keeping fit. All in preparation for what I wanted for the future.

The new single is a real progression in your sound to a more 'clubby' vibe - is this something you've always wanted to do? 

Always. I came from a club background. I was a club DJ for many years in Australia before I arrived in the UK.  The clubs are my original roots. This is what I have been trying to do since the very beginning. The pure pop is not 100% me. Even though I loved the first album and what we created, I was still always pushing for a harder sound, a much more edgy slamming sound, right back to when I first released in 1996. The slamming club sound I was playing as a DJ is what I always wanted to record. But it was a never ending struggle to combine the two with my purely pop voice. But now in 2011, it’s everywhere!  That’s ultimately why I decided now is the right time to make a comeback. This is my musical dream sound.

This is the first time you've had a guest artist feature on a track - how did you find it and can we expect any more collaborations in the future?

I absolutely LOVE Vigilante. This guy is going to be a star!  I’m just so lucky to have him featured on my record before he blows up. He’s the nicest guy in the world too.  Before Discipline Music came on board, I pushed and pushed for a rap on Next 2 You. The team involved did not agree with me. I knew it was the right thing to do. I really felt it. And thankfully, Discipline had the exact same idea. I remember screaming in delight down the phone to Discipline. “YES, YES A RAP!!” And they got the perfect rapper. I absolutely love it, it’s my favorite bit. Also the incredible build and rush of slamming club drum mania after the middle 8. That’s also a favorite bit. Club Junkies did such an amazing version of the track, and took it to a whole new level. I love this mix.   And so do the fans.

And yes, definitely more collaborations in the future. There’s a world of opportunities now.

What can fans expect in terms of promotion for the new music?

I am coming to the UK in October for a promotional tour of TV, radio, press and live performances. The label is just setting it all up now. I have my bags half packed and I’m ready to go as soon and as I get the word, I’ll be on that plane.  Plus, of course I am on Facebook and Twitter constantly chatting to the fans. I LOVE chatting to the fans. I plan to spend more time on there, as much as possible. And of course Youtube. The “Next 2 You” video has over 43,000 hits even before the release or ANY promotion whatsoever. Hopefully that’s a good sign. Plus, everyone LOVES the video.

It's been 15 years since you exploded on to the music scene with what I feel is the UKs best Eurovision entry ever - Ooh Aah.. Just A little Bit - be honest, do you ever get sick of hearing/performing the track? And how does it feel knowing you've created a song which will pretty much be played...forever?!

15 years? Oh My God, is it? I thought it was only 13. Who’s counting really? I’m not.To answer your question – YES!!!  Utterly sick of it.

Well, you wanted me to be honest. But the thing is – when I’m up on stage and “Ooh Aah” starts and the crowd goes absolutely wild. It’s amazing.

I’ve GOT to move on, and my fans have to let me, and they are. Thank you my loyal, wonderful and precious fans. And for the new, young, iTunes buying public. They don’t care or even know I did Eurovision or what or who I was in 1996. It’s all about a great song now and for me to perform it as me, the artist I am now, in 2011. But I will never forget what “got me started”. Ok, that was cheesy. It’s a line from “Next 2 You”.

We hear the new album is nearing completion - can you give us an insight into what it sounds like?

We are looking to progress from “Next 2 You” into an even more progressive club sound with my signature vocals. We are currently deciding on the next single and we have quite a few to choose from. Choosing the singles is the hardest thing. Everyone has an opinion. But I think the right song will stand out once it’s fully produced and ready to go.

The lines between Pop and Dance music are more blurred than ever with producers like RedOne and David Guetta producing for Pop and Urban artists. 'Next 2 You' definitely fits into both genres - how important is it for you to follow current trends in music? Is it hard to hold on to a signature sound?

I think there is still room in the current music scene for my signature sound. Yes, there are a lot of Urban artists who have turned to dance, which really inspires me actually. I love the R&B male vocals over the club sound. It works so beautifully. Thank God, because I love R&B vocals but was never really keen on the production. Now we have both!  Love it. And it is what also inspired me to come back onto the scene.

But I am not a male R&B singer. I do have a VERY pop voice. I have to fight my way through artists like Britney, Kylie, Katy Perry and Kesha to get into the charts again. Lucky there’s not too many of us like there is of male R&B artists; otherwise I would be in trouble.  And I didn’t mention Lady Gaga because I am in a different league entirely.

But look at Kylie! Still going strong.  She’s never stopped though. I did, to have a family. I wanted both.  It was everything to me to have a career and a family, and that is a really hard thing to do. But I will fight my way back.  A big girlie catfight… hahaha! Bet you’d all like to see that! Especially my gay fans!

Again, it’s about the song. If the song is slamming and catchy enough, it will shine through. That’s always been my belief and I’ll do my best to make that happen.

You're based in LA now, do you look forward to coming back to the UK?

As I said. My bags are half packed ready to go. I miss London. I miss the UK. It hasn’t rained here in LA in eight months!  Please, please give me some CLOUDS and RAIN. The sun never stops shining here. Oh, I can feel the jealousy of everyone in the UK through the Internet.

I can’t wait to perform on TV in the UK, and be on radio. I love doing interviews. I feel way more comfortable on TV and doing interviews than ever before. I have matured in a way where I feel I have something real to say. My life is very full and I have experienced things that I can really talk about. And I want to make a difference and help people if I get the chance to be up there again in the public eye. I’ve been through some real challenges and come out the other side.  Maybe I’ll get to talk about this for one reason only, to be able to help people who have been through the same thing or are going through it right now.

I want to be back in the music scene, to do what I love to do, help support my family, but even more than that… I would like the opportunity to take advantage of the celebrity status to make a difference in this world. Otherwise the opportunity is wasted on just yourself. And I don’t believe we are on this planet just for ourselves. We are here to help others.

Interview: Chris White

Gina's new single 'Next 2 You' Featuring Vigilante is released digitally in the UK on 13th November.

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