DOP magazin pop & off kulture

Uz pomoć agilne ekipe iz PR tima Menarta dobili smo ekskluzivni promo razgovor s jednom od najplatinastijih pop pjevačica današnjice - Christinom Aguilerom. Cijelu spiku prenosimo u originalnom, engleskom obliku. Do sada je mogla biti tipična namiguša koja se bori s Britney za prevlast po modnim pistama i hot top singlovima, ali otkad joj je DJ Premier napisao beat za "Ain`t No Other Man" stvari se kreću dobrim tijekom...

* It's been four years since you've done an album. How/what's changed for you in the past four years?
So much has changed in the last four years. I, you know, I try to take time in between records so that I can live life a little bit in between touring and promoting each record just so that I can come back with a new record with something to say, and regarding my life. And I like to really incorporate the lyrics and being personal to, and true to my life. But what's new? Well last year I got married. And new love, new, new outlook kind of. I'm just, you know, I'm in a very, I'm
in a good place. You know, I'm actually, I'm happier than I've ever been. So you know, I'm really happy to come with this new record, and to be, I've taken the last year, year and a half in recording and getting everything ready for, for the vision that I had for this record I came up with on the last tour, which was to do a record based upon the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, kind of what I'm inspired by. So it's all positive. You know, and it's a number of feel good tracks. And so it's good stuff, good stuff.

* Are you using that music or was that an influence for you growing up or ?
It was. Yeah, I mean the 20s and 30s and 40s had to deal a lot with you know, jazz era is in there, the whole big band kind of element and feel with all those horns and things going on, which I love. And you know, it's feel good music. It has to deal with old soul, blues, and jazz, which I think is the root, kind of, of all music. So ever since I was 8 years old I used to listen to these old records, the Pearl Bailey's, the Billie Holiday's, and Sara Vaughn's, and Dinah Washington, and you know, I used to call them my fun music to sing, or that my fun music to sing. And you know, so now I was able to really dive whole heartedly back into those eras and come up with you know, some of the songs are more organic and authentic to the time whereas other ones, you know, they have throw back elements, to the 20s, and 30s, and 40s, but with a kind of a modern day twist or edgy beat of today. So it was very interesting in collaborating with the producers that really got my vision for this record and what we were able to accomplish.

* Do you think people or your fans will be surprised by this? Do you think it really represents a different Christina?
It definitely represents I think, every image, or every album I try to come with something different and I try to push my, I challenge myself you know, in pushing my own boundaries and my own limits, and hopefully other people's as well. You know, in trying to come up with the whole you know, new visual aspects regarding what the new music has to deal with, and you know, in this in particular, it has to deal with kind of you know, the look of a lot of the old Hollywood actresses and sirens and what not, the style of the old Hollywood you know, glam stars. So old Hollywood glam style kind of you know, representing you know, elements of, with the red lips and kind of certain platinum blondes actresses and things of those times. It was a very fun time for dress up, and going in there with the make up and you know, being a woman and accentuating the feminine attributes here and there. So really, really fun in the video how I can make all that come to life visually and combined with the music it's, it's a fun package.

* I mean it must have been a really fun image to, I mean there's so many fantastic people you can look at
A lot of great references. A lot, you know, I've collected my tear sheets for days up until like the actual moment where it was time to put them to life for the first video for "Ain't No Other Man". So yeah, yeah, really, really good references, amazing, amazing people. Marlena Dietrich, to you know, Betty Page, to God who else, Marylin Monroe, classic one, Gina Harlow. Who else? My God. Veronica Lake. Lots to reference from.

* So do you almost live, the music that you're doing at the time, you seem to live that image I mean like you don't go out now without red lips. Is that something you've kind of lived through?
For the most part, yeah. When I'm recording my records it's almost, you know, I guess you could compare it to, someone told me I guess you know, actresses before they go into a role some of them, what is it called, you know, there's a certain acting method that you know, method acting where you live kind of what your character is about. And for me whenever I'm recording you know, my album, I kind of really dive into the whole world of what I'm trying to accomplish, and that's you know, when it's regarding the 1920s and 30s and 40s you know, the style that they, it's such a specific, you know, look for those time periods that it was easy to kind of lend myself into that, that frame of mind. And whenever you know, I'm executing the vocals and what not, there wasn't a moment that I didn't have red lips on because it helps me get into the whole method singing, method, you know, way of doing it.

* I mean some people would look at this image now and think that it's a more grown up image, perhaps a more classy image Do you think of it that way?
I don't think of it in that way at all. You know, I kind of just like to take things spontaneously as how I'm inspired. And for this really it's just kind of me referencing the old with the new, which is what the music was about. So again, you know, I dive whole heartedly. But by no means am I you know, ever trying to be maybe a little more sophisticated or laid back. And yeah, it's quite, quite, quite funny, people's takes on things. I mean I did see the GQ spread

* It's a fantastic body. Do you feel that's artistic expression or it's really just a marketing thing these days?
Well I'm sure for some people maybe it's a marketing thing. But for me I definitely, uh, sexuality is definitely a part of my artistic expression. I think as a female I think it's important for me personally to exude kind of feeling empowered with, in your sexuality, and exuding it in a strong, powerful way. So that will always be an element of what I do artistically. It will just show itself in, in different ways and in different forms regarding where I'm at image-wise with each record and where I'm at in my life. And for this one you know, it kind of goes, references back to kind of the old pin-up look in a way, you could reference the sexuality on this one.

* Does marriage give you more confidence to express it?
My husband is just so supportive you know, I mean, I don't think I could have married someone that kind of made me feel confined and unable to express myself how I feel I need to as an artist and as a person, and as a woman. But you know, my husband he's just so, he gets that, and he gets what I need to do as an entertainer, as a woman, and for myself, and he's just, he backs me up 150%. And I think when it is the right person, it is, you know, when it's, I mean he's my best friend along with my husband, and he's my backbone and support, but you know, I think there is a level of extra exuded confidence when you feel support and love from someone that means a lot to you.

* I saw the pictures from your wedding. It must have been a fairy tale wedding. Was it everything you imagined?
You know, I never was one of those girls, or women even, that always daydreamed about what my wedding would be like, or I couldn't wait to rush to the altar. You know, if you would have asked me last record would I be married by my next one I never would have said, you know, I thought I would be. But you know, when it, when it's the right person and it feels right, you know, I mean, it's you know, it's right. And you know, it was an amazing wedding. We worked closely with a planner. And it was quite a task, let me tell you, combining that with recording my album at the same time. Planning your wedding and recording an album are huge things for me, or huge things in life, period. But you know, I think we pulled it off. And I feel stronger because I was able to pull it off at the same time.

* Was there anything in particular about your wedding that you were just really proud of, that you went, my god, I can't believe that was, that came off?
You know, what I really, really loved actually I loved, I mean the whole thing was, it really was magical and it was, it was a three day destination wedding in Napa. I love Napa because it's very warm and kind of cozy feeling, and all of our guests. I wanted to keep it pretty intimate as well. I didn't want to have some you know, you know, 500, 300, even 200 people wedding. You know, we definitely kept it small. There was a group of 100 people that gathered. We built a chapel on top of someone's private property and in Napa, and it was just, it was really, really, amazing, and we had a Japanese themed night the second night of the three days. And that was actually my favorite night. It was so wonderful. Me and my husband we, we honeymooned in Japan actually. What was one of the places we honeymooned. We have such a love for it, love of the culture, the people, and just love it, love it, love it. So Japanese night was really, really special in particular. We had lots of geishas running around and it was just very colorful and beautiful.

* Yeah. I mean you've talked in the past about you think people have tried to mold you, and I suppose you've had different problems being in this industry from such a young age. Are you really feeling like you're in just the right space now?
You know, I do. I really do. And I know it will even get better with time. You know, I, my main gal in life is to keep evolving as a person and as a woman and learning as much as I can and taking in and absorbing it like a sponge. But that's kind of by nature how I've been up to this point. But yeah, I mean being in this business, it is, it is harder. Especially as a female too. You know, being in a man's world and kind of you know, especially being an opinionated woman you know, that can be taken the wrong way. There's a million names you can call a woman for being aggressive and forthright and what-not, but you know, it's kind of more accepted when you're a man. So you know, I like to be very hands on and it gets even more difficult whenever you're a female and a young one growing up in this, but I don't let it stop me. And you know, I thank God for the success I've been able to have thus far. But I've learned many lessons along the way and it's been quite a trip. You know, and I have grown up a lot faster and learned a lot of things the hard way. But, but I wouldn't have it any other way, because it's definitely made me grow into a much stronger human being and a person up until this point. And right now I just, I do, I feel that I have you know, my instincts have definitely been sharpened over the years and I'm just at a really good place with the people around me and the space that I'm in. It's a good, happy one.

* I just want to talk about a few, two of the tracks on the album. The first single. "Ain't No Other Man". That is great. I mean the horns are you know
I love those throw-back horns. Yeah, I called on DJ Premier to help me kind of get a throw-back sound because I, you know, the first, it's a double disc album "Back to Basics". And the first disc kind of goes into this whole world of using throwback elements and certain bits and pieces of old, you know, samples and what not. And then, but obscure ones. So you wouldn't be able to even call on what it is. But DJ Premier has such a way of mixing and you know, unmatching and you know, kind of you know, using bits and pieces that are so obscure you would never recognize. And you know, using old horn blares, horn sounds, which "Ain't No Other Man", you know, you can definitely hear that on. But mixing it with a modern day, kind of hard edged beat where you can enjoy in radio, in the clubs. You can still dance, and sing along to it, and get it nowadays. But still you know, get into the feel good element of the old throwback to soul and jazz and what not. And then the second disc I did completely and entirely with Linda Perry, that very authentically and organically goes there to these elements of the old. And using no cover songs we've kind of recreated new music. But it's regarding the old. So you know, it's all live music. There are no samples. There are no beats or any elements like that. It's just very real, raw music. You know, and the places we were able to go. You know, one song sounds as if you entered a 1920s burlesque club called "Nasty Naughty Boy". And then another song you know, called "I Got Trouble" sounds as if it was recorded in the fashion of being from that time and era, using an old vintage microphone and covering it up with an old ratty cloth to give it that grit and that old sound as if it really is old. So it was very interesting to go in and kind of recreate old with new sounds and some being more authentic to the age, and some being more hard-hitting of today with throwback elements only. But I'm really proud of this album, staying with the vision and accomplishing it.

* And video for that single?
Yes. The video brings to life the visual aspects of what I'm talking about regarding the 20s, 30s, and 40s using a lot of old vinyl records. It was shot in the environment of an old kind of we recreated the look and feel and vibe of an old, gritty juke joint vibe, the kind of you know, club or whatever you would think a Billie Holiday could just get up on stage and start performing with a live brass band behind her. So it was very interesting you know, what we were able to do, and just really using our imaginations and you know, it's such a creative time you know, for a, for a visual like this. So it was very interesting to go there and using old phonographs and what not, kind of the imagery for the video. And it's really, really fun. A lot of, me and my dress, or me and my girls had a lot of fun playing dress up.

* "Candy Man", sounds like, like The Andrews Sisters
Yeah absolutely. I was very inspired to do a song that sounded as if it was like the modern day version of the Andrews Sisters. Boogie Woogie, Boy a Company B. So, so we were able to do this amazing, fun, live song called "Candy Man" that has three part harmony the entire way through with my vocals. And it's just a fun, light hearted, kind of free-spirited song. So, really, really fun. The visuals to that could be really outrageous too.

* "Mother". I mean is this a tribute to your mother? It seems very personal.
It is. It's an extremely personal song. But you know, it does deal with you know, talking about issues from my past and the abuse that I endured and what not. But you know, I didn't want to make it a poor me kind of you know, sad song. You know, because it is very positive to get through something like that. And you know, you have to be a pretty strong woman you know, as my mother was, to get yourself out of a situation like that and stay out of a situation like that, because you know, it's very easy to get into that whole cycle and have your kids repeat it by being in that kind of a situation too long. So I'm just thankful to her that she got us out of it when she did, and it is a very personal record. But I think a very positive one, and at the end it has a very bright message.

* And you have a song for your husband too, don't you?
I do have a song. Yeah I wrote, I try to write, you know, dear to my heart and you know, that is something that is very real to me. But you know, I didn't want to write like some corny love song and talk about you know, these lyrics, you know, the classic rhyming, all this love sent from up above kind of, you know, fluff like that. You know, but it was a very meaningful song. I wrote a song called "Save Me From Myself" regarding kind of how I feel his take on being in my life you know, is like. You know, I can be my own worst enemy sometimes, and he's right there supporting me in some of my darkest moments, and you know, in saving me from my own insanity and hysteria sometimes. But he's an amazing man and you know, the song is just simply my voice stripped down, there's no effects on it. No big notes or anything like that. It's very simple in its, in the way I sang it, and the way it's recorded, and it only uses you know, I'm accompanied solely by acoustic guitar and some strings. And that's it.

* Other tracks like "Nasty Naughty Boy" and "Still Dirty" are kind of a reminder that Christina's still there?
Yeah, the, sexuality will always be visible in some way or another, in some form or another. And there is a song called "Nasty Naughty Boy" that sounds as if you had just entered a 1920s burlesque club, and it's very exciting. We have bits and pieces from like a live audience, and you know, it's all brass horns and big band kind of sound. Amazing drums, and this is a song that you could really picture walking into a burlesque club and picturing a girl like up on the stage interacting you know, with a sailor or something, you know, in that era, or whatever. It was just very interesting. You could just imagine visually what, what it, where that, how that took place. And "Still Dirty" was a song that I actually wrote regarding the fact that you know, some of the press that I was reading about myself over the last year you know, while I've been recording the record is you know, because I like to kind of you know, coincide my look with where I'm at musically, they were, you know, some of the press has been, oh she's cleaned up her act and she's different now that she's in love, and this man has changed her and the whole thing, and just kind of letting people know that you know, not too much has changed. You know, my husband supports me for all of that and then some. And you know, it's just, it's just in a different form. So still letting people know I still got a little naughty in me. So I think it's always good to have a little bit of that.

* Now I think you've actually used samples from messages from fans. Were there any messages that really just struck you, that were just incredible?

You know, there, there were a few messages that, I mean you know, the song "Thank You" started out with just me using a few, a few words from people. But it ended up being far more than that. One in particular was, there was a soldier that was deployed in Iraq for some time, and he said that we have it on the song, that you know, my voice had moved them and inspired them and kept a lot of them going through their time. And the way he spoke about it was so real and so raw that it really struck me. It actually makes me tear up every time. I'm very emotional. Every time I hear it, it means a lot to me. It means a great deal. So it was very special to have him part of the record.

* I mean it's important for you to showcase your vocal talent. I mean it's interesting because you know, in this day and age of pop music, you know, you can get away with a lot in the studio, but I mean you know, people have always recognized your talent in the sense of your vocal abilities. Is that important for you to be able to do a wide range of music?

You Know,I like to experiment a lot vocally with a lot of different things. So on this record you do hear a lot of different elements to my voice. It's not just dealing with one certain kind or way of singing, or form of singing. I definitely like to have an eclectic variety of different sounds, and even musically you know, where I'm trying to go. So I don't try to stick with one certain things, but I do have a certain style that, that never ceases to come forth on my records, and I think that's, that's good to have some sort of a signature. So

* I know you're just, I mean there's a lot ahead of you with this album. But are you thinking of other things in the future? I mean even things like movies. I mean are there other plans.
You know, I like to dedicate myself 100% every time I enter a new project. And film has been one of the things that has been on my list, on my long term goal list. But you know, I definitely want to wait till the right role comes along. You know, I think a lot of people in my position that try to cross over they end up playing themselves or characters of themselves. And when I really enter the world of acting I want to take it on as another art form in my life and really sink my teeth into it and get a meaty role, something that requires some acting, not just playing myself basically. Unless it's set in the 20s, and I'll sing then, and only then in a movie. But you know, I just want to make sure that I take my time and do it when it's right.

* What about lending your name to fragrances, clothes, things like that? Have you thought of all that sort of stuff as well?
I've done a few things overseas in some deals in Europe and what not. But over here I'm sure this record will, after I am done promoting the initial portion of it there will be fragrances you know, because I'm a very kind of creative spirit at heart, I'm sure I'll lend myself into other avenues and ways of outletting other creative assets.

* Do you think about longevity in this career? Is that important to you?
Absolutely. I mean I'm spontaneous up to a certain point. But I definitely have a game plan for myself. You know, children will wait. Because I have things to do for now. I have to give birth to this twin baby before I can, twin babies as a double album before I venture off into doing that. That's another huge commitment and will happen and I can't wait to have kids one day. But right now I have my heart and my eyes set on the longevity of my career and I gotta get through this record first.

* Just one final question. Touring, is that in the cards?
Absolutely. In the Fall we're looking to start my world tour, my next world tour for "Back to Basics" in Europe. Thank you.