Thank you Sarah for typing this up, you definelty rock girl.

Barry: Welcome to an Hour of Power with Mel C. Part of our stereo kids helpline appeal weekend, Mel C’s in the studio in Londontown, Mel welcome to Australia

Melanie: Thank you very much, I only wish I could be there in person.

Barry: So do I. It’s summer over here, you’d be loving it.

Melanie: I know, the weather’s awful in England.

Barry: Is it really cold?

Melanie: Well, it’s not too cold it’s just very wet.

Barry: Oh ok. What have you been up to? What’s happening? With winter in the UK, what are you doing with yourself?

Melanie: Well, I was away for New Year, had a nice holiday in Barbados. And then I just come home and I’m started rehersals and I’m going out on the road and doing a bit of touring.

Barry: Fantastic!

Melanie: Yeeeeah

Barry: Now, doing all the stuff from Northern Star?

Melanie: Yeah, that’s right. It’s just one of the, you know, last parts of the tour, I’m also gonna be going to America and Canada and I’ve got some British gigs to play as well. But I should be finished touring in June and then I’m gonna start working on my second album.

Barry: Fantasic. Have you written any songs yet?

Melanie: Em, I’ve got lots of ideas and, you know, things written down here and there, but I’ve got no songs recorded yet.

Barry: Now listen, are you happy now with, ah, the success of Northern Star, because it took a while, didn’t it? And it copped a bit of a caining from the critics early on

Melanie: Yeah, I’ve had a lot of faith in the, in the album. And um, I just kept working hard cos I knew I had to prove to people that it was something worth listening to, ahem. So eventually it has come very successful and I’m very happy with it. But um, we like a challenge. It’s nice to be critisized, you wouldn’t just want to, you know, want everything to be great all the time cos you’d never really feel like you were working for it.

Barry: Exactly. You’ve gotta have to have thick skin sometimes, I guess to deal with it, don’t you?

Melanie: You certainly do, but people can be very creul.

Barry: How do you deal with it? What do you do to shove that off?

Melanie: Well I think I’m very lucky, you know, I’ve got a very supportive family and friends. And I think the thing is, here in England, especially with the tabloid press, nobody really takes them that seriously because everyone kinda knows that the way they, you know, exploit things and they tell a lot of lies. And so really, the general public are on your side even if the media aren’t.

Barry: It must’ve been hurtful at some stage though, some of the stuff that gets written about you

Melanie: Yeah, it’s been very very difficult for me, especially last year, there was lots of personal things that they wrote about me and, you know, I think the thing to remember is that it’s only one persons opinion and they don’t know you, do you know what I mean? It’s just somebody out there just doing thier job. The editor wants them to dish dirt, and you know, if there’s no dirt to dish then they’ll just make it up. So um, it’s quite good to have people supportive and strong around you and just to believe in you more than they believe in the journalist.

Barry: Yeah, it might only be one person doing you, but there’s millions people reading it, that’s the problem.

Melanie: Yeah, and also you know, once something’s written, it’s too late really because it goes all over the world, you know, and all rumours start and then they just get expanded aaaand it’s just all over the place and, you know, I could be on the other side of the earth and be asked a question about something that, you know, has never involved me or something I’ve never heard about. So, it’s quite sad really, you know, for the fans because they get a lot of false information. So that’s why I like to do lots of interviews where they can hear things from the horse’s mouth and, you know, go out and do shows and write great music and that’s what it’s about. You know, at the end of the day, my private life has got nothing to do with my music. If you like my music then that’s cool, but you know, it’s not really anybody’s business what I do at home.

Barry: In that case, I try not to go there thank you Mel.

[Break]

Barry: Now Mel, the song that really kicked Northern Star over the top and became a massive hit all over the world for you, well after the album was released, was the duet with Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, Never Be The Same Again. I have to say I still love that song.

Melanie: Yeah. I think I’ve been quite lucky with that one, cos it’s been one of them songs that you don’t get sick of. Which is a good thing because it has been played an awful lot. I was really pleased that that was a hit.

Barry: What was Lisa Lopes like?

Melanie: She was lovely actually, we had a good time. I was a little bit star-struck at first because I’ve always been a really big fan of TLC and Lisa was always like my favourite. And um, we got together and she was very professional and she’s a very sweet girl, and we just had fun. We erm, did the video together, we done some promotion together and we had a good time.

Barry: That’s funny saying you’re star-struck. You’re one of the biggest stars in the world, how can you be star-struck?

Melanie: Weeeell, I think it’s something that you don’t think about personally, you know what I mean? It’s like anybody, if I meet someone from a soap opera that I’m a bit like ‘Ooh ooh ooh look there’s thingee!’ So you know, you know, you don’t think of yourself as a star or a personality, a celebrity, whatever. I’m just a, you know, a young girl and I get excited when I meet famous people too.

Barry: Who have you met recently that’s interested you?

Melanie: Ooh gosh, I’ve met lots of people. Erm, before Christmas I met Michael Jackson.

Barry: Oh really!

Melanie: Which was very interesting yeah. I didn’t get to speak to him, but we were on the show. So um, he introduced himself to everybody. So that was pretty amazing. Em, of course I’ve met Madonna a few times which is fantastic, because you know, she’s my idol. And…

Barry: Did you get an invite to the wedding?

Melanie: I didn’t I’m afraid. But I was busy anyway, that day.

Barry: Yeah, me too. (Melanie giggles)

[Break]

Barry: Now Mel, you’ve got a pretty broad spectrum of taste when it comes to music don’t you? I know you like everything with a bit of kick-butt. Rock, throw in a bit of hip-hop, the whole works. What are you listening to at the moment?

Melanie: At the moment? Em, well I went to see Eminem in concert on Saturday, so I’ve been listening to a lot of Eminem. Em, I love Pink’s record, I love listening to the Beatles and Stevie Wonder. I love Fiona Apple, em and Dido. I’ve got Dido’s record, I really like that too.

Barry: That’s a great record, it’s only just been released here, it wonderful

Melanie: Yeah

Barry: Eminem’s a bit of an interesting one. What do you think, cos he cops so much flack in America for his lyrics

Melanie: Well he’s been getting an awful lot of stick here. Which I think is, you know, it’s a very good point, his lyrics are very disturbing. But the way I see it, he’s expressing um, a feeling. And all I can do is um, even though it’s, oh god, it’s such a difficult one because, you know, I don’t believe in what he raps about but I just think he’s a lyrical and musical genius. You know, he’s very troubled [not sure if that was the right word], what he’s building and I do find his lyrics very questionable but I just, I just admire his realism and his guts really.

Barry: Yeah. Mel, we’re gonna talk about the Kids Helpline for a minute here. Now your new single, If That Were Me, which almost could’ve been written for this weekend, for kids in need of help. Um, your giving your royalties and so is Virgin to Kids Helpline appeal over the weekend, which is very genourous of you, thank you very much.

Melanie: Well, you know, it’s a pleasure to be able to give something back. When I originally wrote this song, um, it was from homeless people I actually was inspired, you know, I’ve witnessed a lot of that growing up in England and Liverpool, where I’m from and moving to London and then travelling all over the world with Spice Girls, it’s just a huge problem in most places in the world and you know, I always wanted to release this single and for it to be a charity record. So um, it feels good to be able to do that and I just hope it’s a big seller, especially for the cause.

Barry: It’s a great cause, it’s basically for kids who really need someone to turn to and don’t have anyone to turn to, which brings me to… I know you’re very close to your mum, Joan, aren’t you?

Melanie: Mmm yeah. Haha! That sounds funny when you say my Mum’s name (giggles)

Barry: (laughs) Hehe. Who do you talk to? Do you go to her when you have those moments, when your just not dealing with things?

Melanie: Yeah. I’ve got quite a few people I speak to, I’ve got very good friends em, yeah and my Mum and my brother. So um, who ever I feel is appropriate for that, whatever the problem is, do you know what I mean?

Barry: Yep. Now, the lyrics of If That Were Me and the film is too, the film is so bleak isn’t it?

Melanie: Mmm

Barry: Because it has heaps of that desperation of what the song is about. Was that a bit of a tricky step for you? Because it’s very far from anything remotely resembling glam and pop isn’t it?

Melanie: Well, that’s exactly what I wanted to achieve, you know, I didn’t want to be singing about something you know, that was very sad and a lot of people are suffering and then look all fantastic and glamourous and spend loads of money on the video. And so I was very lucky, a lot of people donated their services for free, like my director and people involved with the styling and hair and make-up. So um, everybody really really pitched in on this one and I think we created exactly the feeling we wanted for the video. You know, it was very cheap to make, but it still had the right affect that we wanted. So I think I achieved what I set out to.

Barry: Yeah, you certainly did. It’s a wonderful song and we’re playing it right across the weekend because it lent itself so well to this Kids Helpline radiothon. Here’s Mel C and If That Were Me…

[Break]

Barry: Mel, just listening to the lyrics of that song and thinking about your life, did you ever think that if it wasn’t for a lot of circumstances it could’ve easily been you?

Melanie: Absolutely, you know, I think it’s something we should all remember, you know, it’s not as if I’m safe for the rest of my life, you never know what’s around the corner and you know, I just like to treat people the way I’d like to be treated and if unfortunately something like that did happen to me, then I hope people could help me out too.

Barry: Yeah, do you ever wonder what you would’ve done if Spice Girls hadn’t come along? If this career hadn’t presented itself to you? What do you think you’d be doing now?

Melanie: I have no idea. I just, I don’t think about it too much I just think I’m, I’m very lucky. I count my lucky stars that it did come along and I really don’t know how things would’ve worked out without Spice Girls.

Barry: Did you have jobs when you were in school?

Melanie: I use to work in a chip shop, hehe

Barry: Hehe, did you?

Melanie: Hehe yeah, but I was always studying, I was studying to be a dancer. And so you know, my mum and I’d always save up my money so I’d got down there. So I was very busy girl. But I didn’t get much of an oppourtunity to work, but I use to babysit my little brother, hehe.

Barry: And you got paid for that?

Melanie: Yeah, but not very well. (Laughs)

Barry: Mel, what was the first record you ever bought?

Melanie: The first album I ever bought was the Kids From Fame… unfortunatly. Ahh, nah that’s cool though. But um, I’ve never bought singles y’know, my Mum’s into some of them aswell and she was always saying to me ‘Wait for the album, wait for the album!’ You know, value for money. But of course now, everybody has so many remixes, I think if you buy the album, it’s worth buying the singles too cos there’s so many different mixes of the song.

Barry: Yeah that’s an interesting point isn’t it?

Melanie: Mmm.

Barry: What did your Mum think?

Melanie: About what?

Barry: What sort of singer was she?

Melanie: Oh, what does she sing? My Mum sings a lot of rock and soul, she um yeah, she’s been working with a band since she was fourteen so she’s been doing it for a long time! She sounds a little bit like Tina Turner.

Barry: Does she?

Melanie: Yeah.

Barry: Have you ever sung together?

Melanie: We have sung together in the past, yeah.

Barry: Ok. What was the first gig you went to? Going way back

Melanie: Probably one of my Mum’s gigs actually. When I was quite young I used to going to watch her, when she use to play clubs and stuff. But em, the first like big concert I went to was Madonna’s Girlie Show in 1990 at Wembly Stadium. So I hadn’t really been to many gigs until I moved down to London.

Barry: Listen um, how are things in Spiceland? How are the other girls? Are you seeing much of each other at the moment?

Melanie: Everybody’s great. I’ve not seen Victoria for a while, but um, I saw Emma a couple of weeks ago, it was her birthday and I saw Melanie last week. And um, everybody’s great, everyone looks great, you know, having a great time, all working on solo stuff. So um, things are good in Spiceworld.

Barry: And a couple of them are nesting, you haven’t got the vibe for that? I hear you just had a break-up, I heard?

Melanie: Oooooh, did you? (Laughs)

Barry: Yes I did.

Melanie: Em, yeeeeah, I split up with my boyfriend at Christmas.

Barry: Oh, that’s a pity.

Melanie: Ahh, no it’s not, plently more fish in the sea

Barry: (Laughs)

Melanie: (Laughs)

Barry: ‘Next please!’

Melanie: (Laughs)

Barry: Tell you what Mel, why don’t we take a break while you do a bit of fishing (Mel laughs) and we’ll listen to I Turn To You…

[Break]

Barry: Now Mel, at the start of the interview we were talking about you and your holidays, you obviously love a good holiday destination.

Melanie: Mmmhmm

Barry: Where have you been recently that you really loved?

Melanie: Well, I’m quite in love with Barbados at the moment cos it was my most recent holiday, and I did have a great time there. I went out there with a few friends from school and my parents were out there and my brother. That was a really good, that was a good holiday [emphasis on the ‘good’]. Erm, but I don’t know, you know, I’m holidayed out at the moment, I wanna get back to work, I’m very much looking forward to getting back on the road and singing live.

Barry: That’s a nice way to be.

Melanie: Mmmm

Barry: How long are these gigs going to be going on for? A few before you start recording again I gather?

Melanie: Yeah, I’ve got, I’m doing about ten. I’m going to Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. Some places that don’t, you know often get big shows. So that’s going to be fun. And then America and Canada for a few weeks, and then the UK. So I’ll be touring on and off untill June.

Barry: Your gonna be busy, aren’t you?

Melanie: Mmm

Barry: Mel I saw that you’d love, at some stage to maybe work in movies, is that still a big desire for you?

Melanie: I wouldn’t say I’m very interesting in acting, because, um, I don’t really feel like I’m a very good actress, and um, maybe musically. I’d love to write a song for a movie or something like that. But I, I don’t think that I’d really enjoy having a role in a movie.

Barry: Do you see a lot of movies?

Melanie: Yeah, on and off. I use to watch a lot of movies on planes. Hehe

Barry: Hehe yeah, it’s the easiest way isn’t it?

Melanie: Mmmm

Barry: It’s hard with the events ones that run on those tiny little screens though.

Melanie: Yeah

Barry: That’s a bit tricky. Now listen, any plans to get back to Australia in the near future?

Melanie: Oh gosh, I can’t wait. Em, you know, unfortunately this tour isn’t bringing us over to Australia which I’m really unhappy about. But erm, fingers crossed I’ll be there soon because it’s been a long long time, so I need to get back there and see my fans.

Barry: Well maybe when you get a new album?

Melanie: Yeah, that’s a very good idea!

Barry: Towards the end of the year, are you hoping?

Melanie: I think it’s going to be earlier next year now.

Barry: Yeah?

Melanie: Yeah. I wanna take my time and make, you know, a really good album.

Barry: Well good luck with that Mel. Listen Mel, thanks for talking to us it’s been great and thanks also for your contribution to the Kids Helpline radiothon.

Melanie: Good luck. I hope it’s a successful weekend

Barry: And we’ll look forward to hearing something new from you in the near future

Melanie: Yeah, can’t wait, I’ll see you soon

Barry: Take care, thank you