Post by sparkles on Oct 27, 2007 19:26:00 GMT 8
From the westlife.gr
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Back Home With Westlife - 27 October 2007
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Their fans know it:
No band can perhaps hold a candle to Westlife's remarkable success, unprecedented - and unchallenged - in the nine years that the quartet has been on the scene. The guys have sold 36 million records worldwide and, in the UK alone, have cut eight multi-platinum albums and 14 No.1 hits (third only to Elvis Presley and The Beatles). They have been featured on hundreds of magazine covers all over the world and, along the way, won dozens of awards, including the prestigious Record of the Year four times.
Westlife's Love album was the biggest-selling in 2006. The boys have just completed their 2007 world tour that brought them to Australia and South Africa. Still considered the reigning kings of pop, Westlife has just come up with its new album titled Back Home, to be released early next month by Sony BMG.
Funfare had an exclusive 20-minute interview by phone last week with Westlife member Kian Egan (who was in London). The three other members are Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne.
Excerpts:
Why did you call your latest album Back Home?
“We've been away for a long time, so we came up with songs that speak of home, what it means to be home.”
How do you feel being one of the few surviving boy bands?
“Of course, we are very happy to be still going strong and we thank our fans for being there, supporting us.”
Nine years and still going strong. To what do you attribute your staying power?
“I think it's because we make good pop songs and that's the most important songs. We stay together up to now because we make sure that every song we do will be a great song.”
How has your music evolved through the years?
“I don't think our music has changed that much through the years. But I'm sure that as the years go on, our songs have become more mature. Yeah, I guess we’ve been doing a great job, we enjoy what we are doing and the audience is also really enjoying what we are doing. Like our new album...we enjoyed doing it and I'm sure the audience will enjoy listening to it as well.”
Do the four of you always agree on the choice of songs for your albums?
“We have different choices, so what we do is vote what songs to include in our albums."
They say that boy bands have a short life span. You know, you can't be boys forever, not even for long, and sooner or later you grow up and you're no longer boys and then the band simply breaks up. Or the members go their separate ways.
“Well, of course, you're right. At the end of the day, what's important is for us to just record great pop songs. We don't necessarily dwell so much on how young we are or how old we are. We just try our best to make the best that we possibly can.”
How are the three other Westlife boys?
“Oh, they are great. They are good and very happy. Everybody is doing well, thank you.”
Was there ever a time when you thought of going separate ways, going solo?
“We went our separate ways as private persons but not as singers, and that was during the summertime when we decided to go on a two-month holiday break before we started work on Back Home. Each of us just went home and relaxed and enjoyed life. But I myself didn't go on a holiday. I just stayed home.”
Are the Westlife boys homebodies?
“Oh yes, of course, we love being home and being with our families.”
Personally, how do you spend your time away from work?
“I spend my time surfing. I love surfing. I think it's one of the best sports in the world. But most of the time, I just relax and, yes, spend time with my family.”
Away from work, do the four Westlife boys keep in touch and go out together for some fun?
“Oh yes, we do, all the time! We are very good friends. We do have fun together every now and then. It's not all work. We do go on holiday breaks together. I’m not married, I don't have children but I’m close to Shane's children and Nicky's children.” (Mark Feehily has outed himself as gay, just like what Stephen Gaitley of Boyzone and Lance Bass of ‘N’SYNC did. - RFL)
How do you pamper yourselves? Do you listen to music, watch movies?
“Each of the boys likes a different type of music. Yes, we party together and have fun. We enjoy ourselves!”
How have the Westlife boys changed through the years?
“I was very young when the Westlife started. Now, I'm 27. Shane and Nicky have gotten married and have babies. I'm happy with my girlfriend of two and a half years. The years have been very, very good. Life has been great!”
You've been to the Philippines before. What are your fond memories, if any, from your visit?
“I love the Philippines. I love the place and the people. The Filipinos are very friendly. Everytime we go there, we get a warm reception. The people are so nice, they don’t seem to have a care in the world. They seem to be happy all the time.”
Aren't you planning to visit the Philippines again?
“We'd love to. Soon, I hope. Very soon!”
Credit/Source: The Philippine Star / Thanx Mariecel for finding
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That's got to mean something good, doesn't it? ;D
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Back Home With Westlife - 27 October 2007
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Their fans know it:
No band can perhaps hold a candle to Westlife's remarkable success, unprecedented - and unchallenged - in the nine years that the quartet has been on the scene. The guys have sold 36 million records worldwide and, in the UK alone, have cut eight multi-platinum albums and 14 No.1 hits (third only to Elvis Presley and The Beatles). They have been featured on hundreds of magazine covers all over the world and, along the way, won dozens of awards, including the prestigious Record of the Year four times.
Westlife's Love album was the biggest-selling in 2006. The boys have just completed their 2007 world tour that brought them to Australia and South Africa. Still considered the reigning kings of pop, Westlife has just come up with its new album titled Back Home, to be released early next month by Sony BMG.
Funfare had an exclusive 20-minute interview by phone last week with Westlife member Kian Egan (who was in London). The three other members are Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne.
Excerpts:
Why did you call your latest album Back Home?
“We've been away for a long time, so we came up with songs that speak of home, what it means to be home.”
How do you feel being one of the few surviving boy bands?
“Of course, we are very happy to be still going strong and we thank our fans for being there, supporting us.”
Nine years and still going strong. To what do you attribute your staying power?
“I think it's because we make good pop songs and that's the most important songs. We stay together up to now because we make sure that every song we do will be a great song.”
How has your music evolved through the years?
“I don't think our music has changed that much through the years. But I'm sure that as the years go on, our songs have become more mature. Yeah, I guess we’ve been doing a great job, we enjoy what we are doing and the audience is also really enjoying what we are doing. Like our new album...we enjoyed doing it and I'm sure the audience will enjoy listening to it as well.”
Do the four of you always agree on the choice of songs for your albums?
“We have different choices, so what we do is vote what songs to include in our albums."
They say that boy bands have a short life span. You know, you can't be boys forever, not even for long, and sooner or later you grow up and you're no longer boys and then the band simply breaks up. Or the members go their separate ways.
“Well, of course, you're right. At the end of the day, what's important is for us to just record great pop songs. We don't necessarily dwell so much on how young we are or how old we are. We just try our best to make the best that we possibly can.”
How are the three other Westlife boys?
“Oh, they are great. They are good and very happy. Everybody is doing well, thank you.”
Was there ever a time when you thought of going separate ways, going solo?
“We went our separate ways as private persons but not as singers, and that was during the summertime when we decided to go on a two-month holiday break before we started work on Back Home. Each of us just went home and relaxed and enjoyed life. But I myself didn't go on a holiday. I just stayed home.”
Are the Westlife boys homebodies?
“Oh yes, of course, we love being home and being with our families.”
Personally, how do you spend your time away from work?
“I spend my time surfing. I love surfing. I think it's one of the best sports in the world. But most of the time, I just relax and, yes, spend time with my family.”
Away from work, do the four Westlife boys keep in touch and go out together for some fun?
“Oh yes, we do, all the time! We are very good friends. We do have fun together every now and then. It's not all work. We do go on holiday breaks together. I’m not married, I don't have children but I’m close to Shane's children and Nicky's children.” (Mark Feehily has outed himself as gay, just like what Stephen Gaitley of Boyzone and Lance Bass of ‘N’SYNC did. - RFL)
How do you pamper yourselves? Do you listen to music, watch movies?
“Each of the boys likes a different type of music. Yes, we party together and have fun. We enjoy ourselves!”
How have the Westlife boys changed through the years?
“I was very young when the Westlife started. Now, I'm 27. Shane and Nicky have gotten married and have babies. I'm happy with my girlfriend of two and a half years. The years have been very, very good. Life has been great!”
You've been to the Philippines before. What are your fond memories, if any, from your visit?
“I love the Philippines. I love the place and the people. The Filipinos are very friendly. Everytime we go there, we get a warm reception. The people are so nice, they don’t seem to have a care in the world. They seem to be happy all the time.”
Aren't you planning to visit the Philippines again?
“We'd love to. Soon, I hope. Very soon!”
Credit/Source: The Philippine Star / Thanx Mariecel for finding
------------------------------------
That's got to mean something good, doesn't it? ;D