Diana Vickers Talks To Stereoboard About Her New Tour, Material & This Year's 'X Factor' (Interview)
Wednesday, 06 October 2010
Written by Jaspreet Kaur Takhi
Reality television shows have been broadcast on our screens for over ten years. We have become more than used to seeing members of the so-called “Great British Public” become stars overnight – but most soon enough fade away into the sky, only to reappear on another reality show several years down the line.
‘The X-Factor’ is no stranger to this tradition and has seen many wannabe singers who, even after their brief stint on the show, ultimately remain as nothing but wannabes. Diana Vickers however, who came fourth in the 2008 series, has become an exception to the rule and has clearly surpassed the Warholian ideal that everybody at some point will have their 15 minutes of fame.
After her exit from the show, she went on to perform at high-profile festivals such as V, T in the Park and Oxegen, has notched up a Number One selling single and album and even managed to score rave reviews on the West End stage playing 'Little Voice', the role that made Jane Horrocks a household name in the film of the same name. She is now about to embark on her new six date autumn tour beginning in Manchester on 8th November. I caught up with her for a quick chat about what her fans can expect from her on tour, her new material and who she thinks has the ‘X-Factor'.
It’s morning and despite the early start, Diana Vicker’s bubbly personality shines through and immediately and we start chatting with much ease. It’s hard to fathom that this very girl sang in front of millions of people week after week, even prompting Take That’s front man Gary Barlow to proclaim that he would sign her to his label if Simon Cowell didn’t!
Diana seems thrilled with the whirlwind of the past two years and is very proud of what she has achieved, stating that “’The X-Factor’ was a great platform for me, and I will always be proud of being on the show…it helped me so much”. Critics of the format, including Sting who launched a tirade against the show calling it “televised karaoke”, have always maintained that the image of such a show can only hinder someone from becoming a ‘real’ artist and it is near impossible to shake off the manufactured image. However, it has to be said that Diana stood out from the rest of the pack during her time on ‘The X-Factor’ with her ‘boho-chic’ image, vintage style and unique, raspy voice which was something that had not been seen before on the show.
When asked about whether she is trying to ditch the whole X-Factor image, she responds saying, “...It is a TV show and there are positives and negative aspects to it…It’s all about distance and it’s important that I make my own name by working hard and maintaining a distance from the show. The fact that I write my own lyrics helps…”
Diana’s hard work has not gone unnoticed; her debut single entitled ‘Once’ and album ‘Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree’ topped the UK Charts in May 2010. There has been much speculation that Vickers is planning to re-release the album in 2011 that will feature her third single ‘My Wicked Heart’, which is not available on current version of the album. Diana has confirmed that the re-release date has not been fixed and that she is “in the studio all the time!” working with a new producer. So it very well could mean that instead of a re-release, we could see a whole new album from Diana coming in the new year.
Back to the tour, Diana is evidently excited about performing across the country this autumn and when I asked her what fans can expect this time around she seemed confident that it would be something “very different this time”. She has enlisted the help of a new tour director that is going to be mixing up whole tour. For her, touring is all about having fun and enjoying herself on stage as much as possible.
At the tender age of nineteen Diana has had her fair share of experience of the limelight via the recording studio, theatrical stage and of course on the concert stage – but where does this girl’s heart really lie? Out of all the environments she has performed in, as expected, Diana unquestionably prefers the concert stage. She describes the atmosphere of a live concert as “absolutely insane...the buzz and adrenaline rush is like no other!” For Diana, “performing on stage is the ultimate night out”. Getting paid for going on a night out, now that’s an enviable way to make a living! Although the live stage is where she is most comfortable. Diana says that she would without a doubt return to the West End stage or ideally would like to appear in a full length feature film, “I would love to play an intense character...in a film like ‘Chocolat’ or a character like Kate Winslet’s in ‘Revolutionary Road’”. A Hollywood blockbuster is probably one of the few pies that this girl has not yet got her fingers in!
Diana moved down to London from the small village of Huncoat in Lancashire in 2008 and keeping in touch with family and friends comes very easily. Many of her friends have moved down to London to go to university there and she sees her family regularly. With her very busy schedule, you wouldn’t think that Diana would have time to tune into this year’s series of ‘The X-Factor’. Well she has done so and thinks 27 year old painter Matt Cardle from Essex is the one to beat. Good luck with the tour Diana and we look forward to your future endeavours!
Diana’s new single ‘My Wicked Heart’ will be available to download from October 17th.
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When asked about whether she is trying to ditch the whole X-Factor image, she responds saying, “...It is a TV show and there are positives and negative aspects to it…It’s all about distance and it’s important that I make my own name by working hard and maintaining a distance from the show. The fact that I write my own lyrics helps…”
