Rowetta Q&A (July 2011)
"Being sampled on one of the biggest tunes of the decade, Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas was a proud moment"
United, but to be honest I have a soft spot for City too, apart from on derby games. Manchester can be proud of both our football teams. Obviously Man Utd's achievements are immense, but it is good to see City doing well .
I am originally a Mancunian, but I moved to Bury for school as I got accepted to Bury Grammar. I had to leave Bury when I left my ex.
I'm biased, but I do think there is something very real and very cool about our artists. Not phoney, manufactured or over-produced, just raw talent and real people
"I regret the way my time with the Mondays
came to an end after 10 years, but shit happens"
Yes, I love The Rainband - Watch this space for a possible collaboration.
So many proud moments. Being sampled on one of the biggest tunes of the decade, Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas, which was Number 1 in the US Billboard charts for 12 weeks - They could have chosen any voice, but they chose mine!
I am honoured to be singing Joy Division songs on stage with Hooky playing bass and I'm proud of all the work I did with the Mondays, as well as having the opportunity to play myself in the film, 24 Hour Party People.
I regret the way my time with the Mondays came to an end after 10 years, but shit happens!
No, I didn't hesitate as I'd been performing with Hooky for a couple of years, mainly at charity events, and always got a great response from the fans.
I first performed Atmosphere as a duet with Tim Booth from James, Hooky on bass and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, at the MEN Arena for Manchester Versus Cancer. That was an amazing moment and it is one of the best songs ever written.
I knew there would be some criticism because it is Joy Division, but I am glad we did it. The gigs have been amazing, as has the response from the people that came to see the shows.
It's great that we have been able to release an EP, 1102 / 2011 on Hacienda Records, where I sing Atmosphere, New Dawn Fades and Insight, while Hooky sings a previously unreleased Joy Division track, Pictures In My Mind. Peter Hook and The Light are a great band, I love working with them all - Great musicians and great people.
X-Factor is great for pop-stars and boy-bands,
for everyone else it should be the last option
Shows like X-Factor should be a last resort, I entered for a laugh and got very drunk to do it, but I have no regrets about that as I had a great time. If I was a young kid, I wouldn't have done it, X-Factor is great for pop-stars and boy-bands, but for everyone else it should be the last option.
The industry has all changed now, but I still believe that if you have talent and something unique to offer, if you work hard and perform as much as possible, then amazing things can happen.
If you really love music then you must give it everything, too many people are interested in the fame side. It should always be first and foremost about the music, the fame whether you want it or not comes with it, but should be as a result of the music.
Simon's ego is bigger, but I always liked him and he was great with me. A very funny man and lovely if he likes you, which luckily in my case he does.
Tony will always be in my heart, I love and miss him. He is a great loss to all the people of Manchester, and I was lucky I got to work with him, party with him and call him a friend.
