The Saturdays

The Saturdays are back with a spanking new single titled Notorious. Arguably the only girl band around in the UK right now, the girls have clocked up an impressive 2.5 million album and singles sales in the last three years, have scored eight top ten tracks and livened up the schedules on ITV2 with their fly on the wall documentaries. With a new album due later this year - as well as an Arena tour in the winter - things are only going to get bigger for Frankie, Molly, Una, Vanessa and Rochelle. We were lucky to steal some of Una and Vanessa's time from their hectic schedule for a quick Q+A about the new single and the upcoming album.

Describe your sound in five words
Una: Current?
Vanessa: Naughty.
Una: Dancy, girly –
Vanessa: Fun!

Your new single Notorious has quite a filthy electro edge to it –
Vanessa: I like the word filthy, actually!

Is this sound a good indication of what else will be on the forthcoming album?
Vanessa: It’s a work in progress. We’re going to be writing over the weeks and have writers come over – we want to have a massive bunch and then pick the best from that.
Una: I think every artist needs to, sort of, reinvent themselves and we don’t want any track to sound like it could have been on our previous albums. It’s going to be a step up from the last album but we’ll keep it Saturdays-esque.

What do you want to be Notorious for?
Vanessa: Making good music, hopefully!
Una: We want to be Notorious for putting on a good live show that people enjoy.

You filmed the video in LA – and there’s a nice bit of product placement – are you all using Barry M lip-gloss?
Vanessa: Oh, Yes!
Una: In the online version there is the Barry M lip-gloss and mascara. Our make-up artist has a massive basket with so much make-up. It’s ridiculous!

Do you like going out to LA?
Vanessa: Everyone has asked why did you film it in LA when you didn’t even film it outside, but we really liked the director and stuff so that’s why we went over.
Una: Plus it’s an excuse to go to LA!
Vanessa: We love it out there.

Where’s your favourite place that the band has taken you to?
Vanessa: We’ve been everywhere! We did Aisa and that was cool. We’ve been to LA, we did Norway –
Una: [sounding incredibly excited] We’re going to Germany! We’re releasing the single there. People don’t realise that there is a big market there where they love pop music – and David Hasselhoff. We can take The Hoff on [in the charts] there as well! We’re well up for that.

Have you enjoyed making your latest reality show “What Goes On Tour” for Channel 4?
Vanessa: It’s quite nice to be followed around on tour. No one really gets to see what goes on behind the scenes.
Una: We want our fans to see how it is behind the scenes and to show our friendship – people never believe we actually get on but you can see the banter we have.

And you’re going on tour later this year – what’s the best thing about performing live?
Una: We’re doing an arena tour in December which we’re really excited about.
Vanessa: We like to put on a good show and it’s amazing to go to a different venue every night.

What has been the biggest tour disaster so far?
Una: A few wardrobe malfunctions. Although the first tour we did, on the second night, we were in a place where there were a lot of steps at the back of the stage and it was very dark and Vanessa tripped over a wire and broke her foot!
Vanessa: So I was out for the rest of the tour.
Una: But she was wheeled back on stage half way through the show!
Vanessa: And the embarrassing point is that we were doing a cover of Rihanna’s Shut Up And Drive at the moment I got wheeled back out in a wheelchair [laughs].

That is quite innovative to incorporate it into the performance! So have you heard Tinchy Stryder and Dappy’s track, Spaceship?
Vanessa: It’s been a topic of conversation.
Una: They mention Rochelle! She’s on their list!

We wanted to ask if everyone else is jealous that they didn’t get mentioned?
Both: No! [laugh]

Have you seen the video as well?
Vanessa: Yeah – don’t you think the girl looks a bit like Rochelle? But it’s not her.

If you did have convincing look-a-likes, what would you use them for?
Una: Maybe for when I want to buy a drink I could get my look-a-like in in-case I didn’t have my ID and I get refused – which happens a lot even though I’m 29. It’s so embarrassing.
Vanessa: Erm… I’m not quite sure.
Una: Maybe to come into work when you’ve had a heavy night out?
Vanessa: [laughs] I’m not gonna lie to you – I would love to have that!

[Originally published on wonderlandmagazine.com/blog, May 2011.]