With a new album due out next week and a live tour to back it up, it’s clear that Melanie C is in a good place and enjoying life.
As the former Spice Girl prepares to come to Manchester Academy she revealed how with her new album Sweat, her ninth solo offering, she’s returned to her dance music roots.
“Every album I’ve ever made, it’s really been a reflection of that moment in my life,” she said. “And over the last eight years I’ve been DJ-ing. I’ve been lucky enough to play in so many great festivals all over the world, as well as playing in Ibiza.
“For the last five years I’ve been playing at Pacha. And it just really reignited a passion that I have for dance music.”
That passion has lead to Sweat which marks a change of direction for the artist still known to millions as Sport Spice.
“I discovered raving when I was about 17,” she said. “I was in Spain with a group of friends on holiday and we were like, what is this music? Everybody’s so free when they’re dancing and we were just completely hooked from the get-go. So when we got back to London we were like, right, we need to find our people, we’ve got to find out where these raves are happening.
“And I really got into that scene. It was such an incredible time. I grew up through the 80s where nightclubs in the UK were, you know, a bit cheesy discos. So to find this incredible kind of movement that was happening with music that was just so euphoric at times, and, for people to be dancing all night long kind of felt like our movement you know as a young person.”
Everything changed with the emergence of the Spice Girls, who became one of the most successful girl-groups of all time.
“When I turned 20 I auditioned for the band that became the Spice Girls and that of course took over my life,” said Melanie. “All of my priorities changed. We were so focused, so determined to succeed. And then of course once music was released, our schedule was crazy, so there wasn’t much time for going out, socialising and I’d almost left that part of me behind.”
But now she’s returning to her dance music roots for the new album in which she has been involved in every stage.
“I was also really conscious that as a live performer I’m very energetic and I’ve got loads of confidence and quite a lot of attitude, and when I’m in the studio I’m a very different beast,” she said. “But I thought I really have to create the music that I want to bring to life live on stage. So it was really important for me to find that person when I was in the studio.
“And you know, I wanted to also have some fun. DJ-ing has brought so much joy into my life and I really wanted that to translate onto this album.
“I’m so proud to be a Spice Girl and to be Sporty Spice and I completely embrace that. It’s such a huge part of who I am.
“I’s funny, in interviews sometimes people will ask ‘how do you feel that you were called Sporty Spice and you had to live up to this sporty persona?’ but it’s like I don’t have to live up to anything, I can’t. I’ve tried to not be her and it’s impossible. I am very energetic, I’m very sporty, and it was just really fun to look at the album in that way.”
Heading out to promote the new album does present a challenge with fans also wanting to hear songs from Melanie’s back catalogue.
“I want to approach this tour differently,” she said. “I have this whole new perspective and I am going to cram in as many hits as I can. I know, I know as a gig goer I wanna hear the hits, right!
“I’m not going to leave anybody disappointed. I know the fans want to hear the deep cuts. But I’ve got plans. I want to keep everybody satisfied.
“The live shows are a place where I can really bring this album to life, to celebrate.
“It’s going to be really energetic, a journey, and when they leave I want them to be exhausted, but elated, and really sweaty.”
As part of the promotion for the album, Melanie will be doing some in-store appearances including one at Wax and Beans in Bury on Sunday, May 3.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to Bury in my life,” she said. “but I think I’ll really cherish those moments being back up north.”
For all her success, the countless tours and recordings it’s clear that Melanie C is loving her life in music as much as ever.
“I just love what I do. I love performing, I love that feeling of being on stage, releasing music, and having that connection with people.
“I just have learned so much over the years about, as different as we all are, we share so much, we have so much in common,” she said. “ And, it’s really beautiful to be able to express yourself and to connect with other people. That really truly is what keeps me going. And, other people’s music, you know to hear other artists and bands and how music changes and evolves, so yeah I can’t imagine ever not being inspired to carry on and making new music.”
Melanie C is at Wax and Beans, Bury on Sunday, May 3 and Manchester Academy on Wednesday, May 6
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