je m’appelle
MichelleShelly Poole has struck out on an unusual tangent. Out of the smokescreen she is walking, her head held high, green eyes softly blazing, leaving the modern miasma of mechanical studio pop behind and drowning in the slick of its own production. Behind her comes a small and shuffling army of the UK’s finest musicians, content to let their newly-blonded trailblazer front up for their collective cause. Her mission: to bring honesty, beauty and homespun truths back into the fold. Her weapon: one of this year’s most beguiling albums of finely crafted pop. Her tactic: shameless incubation! Er, come again? A puzzled Alan Pedder caught up with Shelly on a balmy late summer’s eve to ask her what the devil she thinks she’s playing at. Along the way, she showed him how to work the world’s weirdest instrument, revealed who inspired her first ever naughty thoughts and explained why her debut solo outing is the strangest album she’s ever made… :
portraits by Ally McErlaine Michelle SHELLY POOLE
Keeping it real is something of a ut of our emotions. It’s lonely, sad, ar Daddy, was a saccharine slice preoccupation with today’s pop painful, glorious and happy. Real- of pure Europop as it used to be, megastars. Cynics would say it’s ity is domestic, reality is dull, and, before the genre became post-mod- simply the oldest PR trick in the as Shelly herself has so succinctly ernly self-referential and achingly book, that the way to a consumer’s put it, it’s a bloody hard time for us ironic. Though it has since obtained heart is to provoke them into think- cloud-headed dreamers. a degree of notoriety among aficio- ing they are special, no matter how At 32 years old, Shelly Lena Poole nados of all things disco fromage, ordinary or modest their lives. The is in the enviable position of do- ‘Keren & Chelle’ were never heard principle relies on the malleability ing what she loves, what she has from again, aside from an obscure of those who will follow the mer- always loved ever since she was a but equally snappy track on Japa- est sniff of authenticity, believing it little girl growing up in glamorous nese compilation That’s Eurobeat holds a passport to a world where Dagenham. Her father Brian was Vol. 33 in 1992. Other jobs came someone like Jennifer Lopez will once the lead singer of British in- and went, including a spell spent hoist off her diamond-encrusted vasion superstars The Tremeloes teaching in a Montessori school in bidet and descend like Aphrodite (whose later frontman Chip Hawkes London, but the music never left. to disperse the glittering prizes of sired 1980s also-ran cheesy Ches- Re-emerging from a tuneful cocoon love and understanding. Oh, and of ney), and by age 13, she and big in 1996 as Alisha’s Attic, the sisters course world peace. In truth, reality sister Karen had already cut their released three albums, had eight is more complex, running the gam- first side as a duo. The single, Sug- Top 40 singles and were alternately
16 SHELLY POOLE SHELLY lauded and vilified by the press be- from this critical watershed, but pers Peach), Ally’s talents were oc- fore calling it quits in 2001. “The with Shelly on her side, Ms Bun- casionally called upon. “He’s awe- good thing is we were pushing but- ton could well be the first. some,” she gushes. “Really! The best tons either way,” says our ever prag- I ask Shelly what it is exactly slide player I’ve ever seen.” matic heroine, “we were never just that she gets out of these sessions, I ask whether working with liked. We were either fucking hated to which she replies with unchar- Ally was more or less fractious or really really loved.” acteristic guardedness, “It’s really than working with her older sister. So is she at all bitter? “Absolute- hard work. It’s rewarding as a writer “Probably equal,” she giggles. “Ac- ly not! We were what we wanted to to experiment with different styles, tually, I think it can be a really bad be and that’s exactly what we did. but if you’re doing it for soulful rea- move to work with your partner, be- I don’t believe we were meant to be sons, it’s an awful lot of work. It’s ing brutally honest. I have become bigger or smaller than we were. I re- like a nine to five, very rigid. To me, this weird hideous monster I didn’t ally do think that we created what because I’ve never worked like that, know existed. I am so bossy!” we meant to create. We were really it was sometimes difficult. But at But when you’re so passionate bloody lucky actually.” the end of the day it’s all good, it’s about something that you want it With their debut single I Am, I pop music. I don’t think there’s to turn out perfectly, that’s okay, Feel released just two weeks after anything better than talking about right? “Oh god yeah, that’s exactly the similarly feisty but musically music. I could sit and talk about it what it is. But try to explain that stunted Spice Girls were unleashed all night.” to someone who loves you for you, upon the planet to such immense She’s not kidding either. Our outside of that stuff. Karen is my success, a lesser person would per- allotted hour somehow becomes flesh and blood so we’d just forget haps harbour some regret of being three, noticeable only by the dark- about it. We’d say vicious things so narrowly pipped to the post. Then ening cloudless sky as we sit in and just say oh ok, well, that hap- again, when were the Spice Girls the garden of a North London pub pened. Whatever. So I don’t think ever nominated for an Ivor Novello facing out onto Hampstead Heath. we’ll work together again unless I award in honour of their songwrit- I get the feeling that her relaxed ask him to guest on something.” ing? In 1997, I Am, I Feel was short- chatter is not just a reflection of “Actually, this was the weirdest listed for Best Song, Musically and our vague acquaintance but a rare album I’ve ever made. Completely Lyrically, but was improbably and and incredible openness. She is different because I could do what I inexplicably edged out by Brian unafraid to speak her mind and be liked. Usually there’s other people to May’s schmaltz-ridden Too Much frank where others would shield please, especially with a sister. With Love Will Kill You. Go figure. themselves away, but she also Alisha’s Attic, although the song- That year also saw them nomi- knows when to invoke the gods of writing was very easy and came re- nated for Best British Break- tact, a reflex built up over years of ally quickly, the rest of it took ages. through Act at the Brit Awards, press interviews. This we played live. All live. Really this time narrowly missing out to “When we first started out in vibey. I’d go home at night after do- Kula Shaker. Still, regardless of Alisha’s Attic, there were lots of ing the track with Paul, put it in my the industry’s failure to reward rumours about me going out with computer, have a couple of glasses their talents with silverware, the Michael Hutchence. Every time girls’ songwriting was rarely called we did an interview they’d ask me into question. Their knack for about it. We never, I bloody wish! constructing quirky, hook-laden Actually, no I don’t, but he was pop music and layering on thick quite a soulful boy, really musical. washes of sororial harmonies won I used to love rock music, guys with them legions of fans. As it turns big hair and tight pants on. Why out, they have had many a last wouldn’t you?” laugh over their former chart ri- These days, Shelly is happily vals. Both Karen and Shelly have married to Ally McErlaine, one of enjoyed huge success as behind- the industry’s most sought after the-scenes songwriters, working slide guitarists. After much debat- with Kylie Minogue, Massive At- ing, she chose to continue per- tack, Janet Jackson, Will Young, forming under her maiden name, Rachel Stevens, the Sugababes mostly because even she once had and many more. Tellingly, one of trouble pronouncing the other and Shelly’s latest projects has been didn’t want to confuse anyone else. to help former Baby Spice Emma Though most of the guitar on the Bunton tackle that most dan- album was played by Shelly her- gerous of all Spice projects – the self in cahoots with her songwriting third solo album. So far, not one partner Paul Statham (who some of them has escaped unscathed may remember from 90s indie-pop-
17 of wine and do all the vocals in one “The stories came first, but not level, there’s never really a limit on take. We got a nice fluid sound. Oh, in any shape or form. Then it was it because as a musician you never and of course I got to do my own the melodies, so I’d write the music, really fail. This is an album that backing vocals as well.” sometimes with Paul, and then sit at we’re hopefully gonna grow and That must’ve been odd, I reply, home and la la la along to it before people who like it will buy it. People given that you’ve always built up putting the lyrics to the melody. But who don’t like it won’t. And I get to your songs through the use of har- I got all the stories first. You can find sing it and that’s what I want. It’s mony. “Yeah, I used to do a lot of different ways to say things. I don’t very back to the way things should SHELLY POOLE the planning of the backing vocals need to actually say ‘oh, you let me be, actually nurtured. The music but I never got to sing them. So this down’, I can say ‘ooh err, you don’t being fully from the artist and not was quite weird I’ve got to say.” own me any more’, stuff like that.” about a good marketing budget. It’s Good weird or bad weird? “Oh, Was there ever a time where she gonna be very low-key.” so much easier. Even though you thought she’d never make it to the “My life is very simple. I do what don’t have someone to feed off, it’s end product? “Yes! I’m rubbish at I do, I don’t have any other hobbies. so much easier because you can finishing stuff. I can’t finish any- I don’t watch Big Brother, I don’t please yourself. And that’s really thing. For me, the song will be like like celebrity things. I do the music what you do it for isn’t it? You think that forever and revisiting something I love, hang out with my friends. I that someone out there is gonna once you’ve put it to bed is not good. don’t get cross about stuff on the like what I like so hopefully I’ll bring It should be of the moment in time. telly. It is what it is. If people wan- it to those people, that they’ll want It was really hard but it’s good, I’m na be led by image, fucking great. If to hear what I’ve done. So if you glad it’s done. When we finished Ali- you look fabulous, go for it! If you please yourself that’s a good start. sha’s Attic, Karen and I sat down and don’t want to be led by that stuff, I wouldn’t really ever go back to the she said ‘y’know, I think we’ve taken don’t do it.” other way, that’s the trouble.” it as far as it can go. I’m gonna go off But what about artists that So no more Alisha’s Attic, ever? and write’. And I was thinking I’d go are fixated on money and mate- “Well we will make another CD for and sing with a piano, you know, do rial wealth? The relentless pursuit our fan club [their first, The Attic some jazz or something. But then I of ‘keeping it real’, does it have any Vaults 1, contained twelve pop nug- thought no, I’ll just write. And then value? She seems a little surprised gets equally as loveable as any of I was like, no, I’m just gonna sing. by the question. “Some of that music their previous offerings] and we might I went to and fro for ages and then I absolutely love. I don’t care where possibly do another tour one day. one night I sat down and wrote it comes from. Before, when I was So you know there’s always room Totally Underwater in about five young, I would have hated the fact for that, because we both loved it. minutes and I thought, you know, that someone like Natalie Imbruglia It’s just got to be right of course.” that’s really good therapy.” made it because she was from Neigh- In the meantime she’s got her The rest, as they rarely say, is bours, whereas actually now I like own album to promote. Signed to history in the making. But is it re- her voice and some of her songs I the fledgling Transistor Project la- peating I ask? “No! I don’t wanna love. I’m not a musical snob, I either bel, a new digital development ini- compete with Girls Aloud, I’m 32! love it or I don’t, and if I love it, I’ll tiative sprung from the grey matter And I can’t dance. I’m the most listen to it no matter where it comes of Blur’s Dave Rowntree and Queen rubbish dancer in the whole world. from. I’m not bothered about stylistic manager Jim Beach, everything is You know I would have been happy stuff. I care about what I hear. A lot in its right place for Shelly to take really singing in a bar if I could’ve of people don’t even listen to lyrics.” her rightful position in the canon just sung. And earn enough to pay Speaking of Ms Imbruglia, her of classic singer-songwriters in my mortgage. That’s the trouble. former manager was responsible for the vein of Carole King and Rickie Our strategy is a soft release.” introducing Shelly to Italian New Lee Jones. I ask her whether her A what? Is that an official -in Yorker, Jack “he’s so gorgeous” Sa- new songs have a common thread, dustry term? She laughs, “I don’t voretti, a 19-year old singer-song- a central theme. “Actually I think know! We might have made it up. writer who refers to her mainly as there’s loads. Discovery’s a big We’re incubating this album be- ‘the crazy lady’. Initially drafted in one. It’s a really personal album. cause we don’t believe it’s a major to help him construct songs for his Put it this way, everyone knows label thing. I would be completely forthcoming debut album, Shelly which song is theirs. The people lost in the big scheme of things and quickly realised that their voices I’ve written about know and prob- I don’t want to be. My record label made for a tasty combination and ably feel very uncomfortable when are good enough and believe in it invited him to guest on her record. they look deep down into it, but enough to incubate it in this way, “He’s a Bob Dylan type of writer. I’ve done it in a way that, for me, to try and build it to a level where He writes travelly, been-on-the- it’s lovely just to get it out, but for we can then take it to the next planet-for-years type of songs, but them it won’t be too hideous. Only phase. If you’ve made a good album he’s not old enough to know those I’ve said what I’ve got to say. I’m in your own mind and you get the things, I don’t get it. He’s an old putting it to bed.” chance to try to take it to the next soul, you know. When he sings,
18 “I’m the most rubbish dancer in the whole world” “A woman always wins!” SHELLY POOLE SHELLY you’ll see it in his face. He means rule that I can sleep with Prince or tour across the United States. “That every word. He’s very sure of what Neil Diamond or Al Pacino.” And who was probably one of my top top mo- he is and what he’s doing. There’s does he get to sleep with? “He doesn’t ments,” she grins. “All the people no manipulating this boy at all. It’s get to sleep with anyone. Of course.” on it were amazing. We met every- very impressive, I was dumbstruck. But of course! “Do you remem- one – Emmylou Harris, Susanna I’ve worked with loads of people and ber the Prince song, Let’s Pretend Hoffs – she was my idol when I was for once I was like, great.” We’re Married?” she asks. Not re- younger. I was so impressed with “We sat down and wrote Hope as ally, I say. “That really changed my every woman on that bill. It was a duet, only we had a big jokey ar- life. It gave me my first sort of per- great to be included. Anything to do gument about it because I wanted vy moment and from then it just with getting artists together and out to be the woman who says you re- went downhill. I started thinking on the road is a good thing. I think ally broke my heart and you have wrong things! That was probably the music industry is pretty equal to be the one to make up with me… 1983… I was only 10 or 11, some- sex-wise, but I think any way to because I want all the boys to fan- thing like that. I was young and fool- get music out there to the masses, cy me and all the girls should hate ish. Paul Simon was a big influence whatever tour it might be, whatev- you. And he said no, it’s gotta be on me too. I Know What I Know from er unique theme you use to get the the other way round. I wanna be the Graceland (1986) was really impor- people in, is good.” one to say ‘oh, she’s such a bitch’. tant to me. It’s quite worldly.” So she doesn’t think that women But a woman always wins!” There’s a similarly worldly feel get a harder time of it? She shakes Savoretti also duets on Anyday to her own album, not just in the her head, “It’s always going to be the Now, a track that Shelly says was lyrics borne of experience and re- way that men who write tortured based on the Kleenex-endorsed Mer- gret, but also in the finely detailed stuff get hailed as sensitive types, yl Streep/Robert Redford movie, Out instrumentation. “We used quite a while women who do the same get Of Africa (1985). She tries to explain few weird instruments,” she says. labelled as moaners. If women say it to me but I’m lost by the first sen- “Paul’s got a big basket of strange what’s actually going on, we moan. tence. Meryl gets syphilis? Clearly bits and pieces that you can buy in It’s just the way of life.” that bit just whizzed right by me as a Camden really cheaply. We didn’t But do people treat her different- child. I try to pull my best confused know their names, we just kinda ly now she’s gone solo? “Hmm, I’ve face but she’s hit her stride and then made noises with them. There’s a never thought about that before,” some. There’s absolutely no doubt moon lute on Totally Underwater. she says and takes a sip of wine. “In whatsoever in my mind when she fi- That’s quite unusual. We played a band, you’ve got someone to lean nally exclaims, “God, that part of the fingernails too.” on when things get harsh. Some- film really stayed with me forever!” She leans over, forms a heart one to bounce off of, to take half Suddenly, I feel desperately un- shape with her hands and starts rub- the heartache. On your own, it’s cultured and hurry to the next ques- bing her fingers together. “It’s quite better because you’re doing it for tion before she realises. Sadly, bull- good percussion. Put it through a mi- yourself. If they don’t like me, they shitting is not one of my fortes and crophone and it’s gorgeous. Try it!” don’t like me. Usually I would feel she grabs my arm and says, “Watch I quickly conclude that I must bad for Karen or I’d have some kind it again! It’s the most romantic thing be calcium deficient or something; of pang for us as a unit. Whereas ever! It kills me that film. Robert mine sound more like a vague and with me, I can take whatever, I’m Redford’s just gorgeous.” Still? “Ab- muffled chaffing than the clickety very hardened to it. They can come solutely, I like old men. Have I got clack of hers, lacquered and strong. see me about it if they don’t like it. it all wrong?” Still, there’s the potential for a Mat- Do you know what I mean?” Actually, no. Johnny Depp is thew Herbert or Matmos remix in So there you have it. Shelly Poole 16 years my senior but I definitely there somewhere. has laid out her manifesto and will would. Does that count as old? Prob- Two days later, Shelly is playing take no prisoners, shortcuts or ably not to Shelly. She counts 64- her most high-profile solo show to handouts. Armed with organic pop year old singer Neil Diamond among date at The Borderline in London hooks big enough to dangle your the three sexiest men alive. “I went to in support of labelmates, The Wire dreams on, she’ll reel in your sens- see him three times on his last tour!” Daisies. On stage, kitted out in one es and outrageously flirt with them. she beams and digs out her souvenir of her many vintage dresses, she In her own way, she’s declared a keyrings to prove it. “I’ve never met comes across as every bit the folk- quiet little war on the prefab and him though. Although I really don’t pop sensation that the album sug- the generic, the fake and the plas- want to now. I might spoil it because gests. Ever the fearless entertainer, tic. One thing’s for certain, keeping I do actually love him. It’s so ridicu- she even tackles one of the duets it real never sounded so good. < lous when I say it out loud. Age is alone and, naturally, it goes off with- only a number though isn’t it? I to- out a hitch. It’s no surprise; Shelly Shelly’s album, Hard Time For The tally love him, proper.” has practiced and made perfect her Dreamer, is released in the UK on Sep- How does Ally feel about it? “Oh live chops over the years, including tember 26th. Visit her official website he doesn’t care. We’ve got a written a stint on the inaugural Lilith Fair www.shellypoole.com for more info.
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