Post by liferenz on Apr 1, 2009 21:19:28 GMT 8
Brian-McFadden-smitten-by-Philippine-jeepneys
Brian McFadden, a former member of the boyband Westlife, has recently released his album titled Set in Stone. It is now available in record bars nationwide.
Courtesy of Sony BMG
Brian McFadden smitten by Philippine jeepneys
Box Garchitorena
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
03:29 PM
When the Irish pop band Westlife was formed in 1998, it didn't take long for their brand of music to invade the Philippine music scene. Originally composed of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden, this boy band spawned multi-platinum selling albums that produced popular songs such as "Flying Without Wings" and Fool Again."
In 2004, Brian McFadden decided it was time to step away from Westlife and pursue a career as a solo singer and songwriter. His first album, Irish Son, produced by Guy Chambers, featured three UK top 10 hits, including the chart-topping debut single, "Real To Me," plus an unforgettable duet with Delta Goodrem, "Almost Here." This hit also topped the Australian singles charts. Another classic and powerful track called "Demons" featured prominently in the U.S. television series Lost.
This year, Brian overcomes the so-called sophomore jinx that turns most artists paranoid about a second offering after exploding with a best-selling album.
"This album took three-and-a-half years to make," Brian reveals in an exclusive phone interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) arranged by Sony BMG. That explains why after his ground-breaking 2004 solo debut Irish Son, five years passed before Brian's new baby, Set In Stone, finally hit the record shelves.
The singer/songwriter said that the long-anticipated follow-up to his debut took this long to do because of the amount of detail that was put into it. "Every song sounded different in the album," says the Irish singer/songwriter. He is quick to add that although this amount of detail went into the album, it's "poppier" than the last one.
"This album is different from the last one because it didn't have one production sound... in this new album, we took a new approach to each song," he says.
Not only did Brian create a ton of songs, only to trim it down to ten cuts for the album, he says he was more involved in the recording process than ever before, playing more instruments and having a lot more say in the album's production.
The new album precedes a planned Southeast Asian tour, which would be highlighted by a Philippine tour this year for its promotion. When asked about his impression about this tropical country, Brian reveals that he has been to the Philippines about four or five times already.
"I've been to the Philippines about four or five times and we had great nights there," adding that they even celebrated the 21st birthday of one of Westlife's members in one of the country's hotels before.
His former group had happy moments in the Philippines, as Brian recalls, but there are some things that stand out. What does Brian best remember about the Philippines? According to the Dublin-bred artist, he cannot forget our "little buses."
"I missed seeing those little buses," Brian recalls. I corrected him, saying that those are called jeepneys, as he expressed interest in riding them one day. Maybe during the Philippine leg of his Southeast Asian tour? "Why not?" he says. Besides, he said he could imagine himself quickly getting accustomed to the tropical weather. I reminded him that jeepneys are not air-conditioned.
And yes, the young singer admits to missing the boys.
"I miss them [Westlife] when I'm touring, the happy moments we've shared...but not when I'm on stage, I prefer to be doing things on my own now," he points out. When asked about the possibility of having a Westlife reunion, he quickly turned it down as something that they have "not talked about."
"I guess we all just grew up," he says referring to his former group Westlife. "We are still good friends and we still go out together every once in a while, but I think we're all happy where we are."
And speaking of being happy, who wouldn't? If you had a solo-album that topped several charts and a much-anticipated follow-up, wouldn't you? In addition, he has found his special someone in the person of his fiancé: Australian singer/songwriter, Delta Goodrem, whom he met during the recording of his debut solo album.
Delta performed the duet "Almost Here" with Brian in his solo debut and incidentally also hit big in the charts. Now, Brian attributes finding renewed focus in Delta as she also sang some vocals in the new album. Also, the vocals for Set In Stone were recorded in Australia, the native country of Delta.
"In the end it's all about creating good pop music," says Brian about his upcoming album. "Every year we change, and we become a different person," he adds, affirming that although it's still Brian-this new album is still a new Brian.
Brian McFadden's new album Set In Stone is now available in record bars nationwide courtesy of Sony BMG.