What's On | June 2010 | Abu Dhabi Edition by Motivate Media Group

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again now and you will definitely hear it in Dubai.” Despite the temporary resentment towards his biggest hit, Chesney didn’t fall out of love with music, and can now be found dividing his time between personal appearances, such as this month’s visit to Chi@The Lodge, and writing – he’s penned songs for the likes of Caprice, Hepburn, A1, Jennifer Paige and Tricky. “My day job these days is writing and producing for other people,” he says chirpily. “I work with lots of different people – at the moment it’s Sean Rumsey, a finalist on the UK TV talent show The XFactor a couple of years ago.” And he’s still working on his own music, too. Since Stay Away Baby Jane in 2002, he a brief period in 1991 Chesdreamed of.” has released one other album, ney Hawkes – while perhaps The singer went on to reAnother Fine Mess in 2005, not the most rock‘n’roll of lease three further singles in toured constantly and started musicians – was hot property. 1991, none of them, unfortu- the Marvellous Mechanical “I wouldn’t want that now,” nately, particularly successful. Mouse project, produche says earnestly as he chats I’m a Man Not A Boy reached ing music he describes as, to What’s On prior to his 27 in the charts, but Secrets “Quirky, interesting sounds, upcoming appearance at the Of The Heart only managed electronica”, and released the ever-popular Cheese night 57 and Feel So Alive failed EP Me, My Mouse And I. in Dubai. “I’m quite a private to chart. The only single “I’ve just finished an acousperson and I like my life now. released from his follow up tic tour, just me and a guitar,” Of course, I enjoyed it then. long player, Get The Picture, he says. “Most of my gigs are I was 19 years old, a young charted at 63 – and Chesney big student union things, boy, and I took advantage of Hawkes didn’t put out anwhich is great fun, obviously. the rock‘n’roll lifestyle that other album until 2002’s Stay But this last tour was nice any young kid would have Away Baby Jane. because I got to do my music “When you’re young you and have people appreciate haven’t experienced anyjust the songs.” And that’s thing terrible. You haven’t what Chesney Hawkes cares experienced the downsides so about – the songs. Still, there you take what comes at you,” must be a part of him that declares Chesney, knowingly. wishes, ‘if only…’ we ask? “When I put that record out “No, I’m quite happy right and it went to number one, now,” he says, chuckling. “For I thought ‘brilliant, let’s put the Dubai gig I’m bringing another one out, I’m sure it’ll my brother along. So it will THE TUNES do the same’.” be acoustic with my little “I’ve discovered this band But it didn’t. So how did he brother on drums.” called Broken Bells. It’s feel about that song after the Danger Mouse’s new relative failure of his followproject with the lead singer NEED TO KNOW ing efforts? “I went through a from The Shins. It’s brilliant.” Jun 11, Chi @ The Lodge, period of seven years where I Al Nasr Leisureland, didn’t play it,” he says. “I beTHE VERDICT Dubai, 8pm to 3am, came a bit of a shoe gazer, got An awesome album. Dhs100, free before into grunge music, turning Proving that Chesney 11pm, ladies free the guitar up to 11, kicking Hawkes is not just the one before midnight. Tel: my amplifier and sticking my and only, but a pretty cool (04) 3379470. www. fingers up at the crowd. It was guy in our book. chesneyhawkes.co.uk my angry period. “But,” he says, “we’re friends

What’s on Chesney’s iPod?

100 WHAT’S ON JUNE 2010