Friday 17 December 2010 Page 5
LOCAL PERSONALITY
An interview with Kirsty Bertarelli BY TESS LAROSSE
Tess Larosse: Hi Kirsty, congratulations opening for Mick Hucknall and Simply Red… How did it all go for you … were you nervous? Kirsty Bertarelli: Oh wow, yes it was quite nerve-racking, they are a huge band… I love Mick’s music and his voice - he has such a powerful voice, it was a dream for me… really fantastic! TL: When was the first time you played in Switzerland for a large audience? KB: First gig was in Zurich actually, but here I am again at the Hallenstadion playing to a much bigger crowd… I also played in Carouge in Geneva, followed by the gig at Edinburgh Castle, the one in Scotland was also supporting Simply Red. TL: How did you feel about playing in the UK - your homeland -
for the first time… at Edinburgh Castle, a phenomenal venue, supporting Simply Red? KB: It was at the castle and spectacular, there were around 9’000 people and it was at the time the largest crowd for me… I was quite terrified, they had to push me out on-stage and into the first song, but then after that I was fine.
Photos: Raphael Faux / www.gstaadphotography.com
Gstaad ”off-season” … grim weather … a pile of end-of-year bills, I need to escape, what’s a city lass to do…? No need to think twice as I hot-footed it off to Zurich to interview Kirsty for GstaadLife, backstage at the Simply Red concert for whom she opened up the legendary band’s show at the Hallenstadion to a great crowd, and a very warm reaction. If anything perks one up into making an effort with clothes, then it’s meeting the very glamorous but down to earth singer Kirsty. I shed my old dog-ridden jeans, dug out my straightening tongs, and donned a sheer black shirt - voila, ready to rock and roll! I caught up with a delighted Kirsty in her dressing room fresh after the concert, and asked her how it all felt, especially as this was her biggest show to-date in Switzerland, and at one of the largest venues in the country.
TL: You also performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival this year, in the Stravinski Auditorium along with Petula Clark, as well as alongside other artists, for the ‘’Singin’ and SwinginBig Band’s Night‘’, where you sang Frank Sinatra’s hit “Fly Me to the Moon”. How was this experience at the MJF for you? KB: To be able to play at the MJF is ledgendary, Claude Nobs is just an extraordinary person and to play there is an absolute honour…he’s here tonight, it’s great. TL: Tell me about your songwriting, what inspires you - do you always carry a note pad with you to capture the thoughts? KB: Yes, that’s exactly what I do - it’s all about different situations in life…every time I have an idea, or a will to write about something I’ll record it on my Blackberry, it used to be the Dictaphone, but now I’ll record my thoughts on the phone. TL: Who do you admire in the music business, who inspires you? KB: I love people who are different, and emotional in their songs - it has to be Annie Lennox, she has such a powerful voice, and sings with such strong emotions, and she puts her heart and soul into her music. I love her.
Kirsty Bertarelli TL: How about your family, your children… do they jump around strumming air guitars to your songs on the radio? KB: Haaa, yes it’s fantastic! You know, you ask your kids to have music lessons or learn to play the piano and they say ‘’no”, but then they see
they are all here tonight for the show.
you out there on stage singing, so now they all want to do it!
Coffee’’. KB: Actually, I wrote that song for Ernesto and I sang it at my wedding, it’s very close to my heart… and it was also a big hit for the All Saints. continued on Page 7
TL: You have 3 children, the smallest is 5 right? KB: Yes, almost 5. They’re all playing guitar, they’re all singing, and
TL: You mentioned that you have always performed as a young girl and up to before you married Ernesto, when you wrote the mammoth hit ‘’Black