Spotlight on ... Nicole Patterson
by Dirk Faes
A short biography
Nicole Patterson has been Texas' background singer on their concerts since 1999. The dark haired girl from Hollywood calls herself one of the few local girls. Nicole was born in the glamor city of the USA on September 10th, 1972.
She is what we might call a Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to her career. Nicole isn't just a background singer like we know her from the Texas concerts, she also performed with Simply Red and you can hear her on Robbie Williams' "Millennium".
Besides that, Nicole is also a respected photographer, for example the photos on the front and back sleeve of the 2001 Greatest Hits tourbook are made by Nicole.
On other occasions Nicole also made a name for herself as a Make-Up artist like she was for Puff Daddy among other celebrities in the past.
The Interview
Roots
Tid: You were born in Hollywood, does that also mean you got showbiz roots?
Nicole: My parents weren't in showbiz, but they were part of the counter culture movement in L.A. in the sixties. They hung out with Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead (in San Francisco), The Doors, etc. Needless to say they both had a lot of fun! I guess my parent's love of music and art rubbed off on me. We lived in a place called Silverlake, which is a bit of a bohemian enclave in Hollywood. When I was was four, my parents enrolled me in art classes at called Barnsdale Park every Saturday. From an early age I was always surrounded by music and art, so I guess I was destined to be involved in a creative field one way or another.
Tid: What kind of music did you grow up with then?
Nicole: Let's see. It would have to start with my Dad's favorite music: Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Redbone, The Who, Janis Joplin, The Band, etc. My Mom watched Soul Train every Saturday, which is like a black Top of The Pops. So I guess I got a big dose of soul and r&b too.
Work & Hobbies
Tid: You are also a photographer. Is photography the education you followed at school or did it purely start as a hobby?
Nicole: Photography started out as a hobby, but I always wanted to work as a photographer. I just got into music by accident, and it just kind of took off. A friend of mine needed a singer for their band and asked if I could sing. I came by their house, sang a song, and I was in the band! Singing was never something I "had" to do. I just could, so I did. Strange, huh?
I put my interest in photography on the back burner, because started working and travelling the world as a backing singer. I had an amazing time travelling and meeting so many interesting people. After five or six years, I felt like I needed another creative outlet, and I started taking pictures while I was on the road. Nothing too tricky, just pointing and shooting. More reportage(documentary) style. I had a lot of fun with it, and it broke up a lot of my downtime while touring.
Now, I mostly concentrate on fashion, which really is my first love. I love the whole thing: the stylist, hair and makeup, the models, locations, ideas. I love creating an atmosphere in a picture.
Tid: Which brings us to another job / hobby you've been doing. On the album credits for Puff Daddy’s “The Saga Continues” album you are mentioned as make-up artist. How did you land in the make-up business and how did the cooperation with Puff Daddy came about?
Nicole: This is so funny, but I don't remember this shoot. I was a make-up artist in L.A. before I started singing. I did loads of shoots, and I can't remember this one! Now, I really sound like I was born in L.A.!
Tid: So I guess you've been busy since the Greatest Hits tour ended?
Nicole: I'm also a fashion and music photographer. I shoot for I.D. magazine, Sleazenation, British Vogue, Oyster, Mixmag, and Muzikmag. I absolutely love it!
Tid: At the end of the V2001 concert I noticed you took a photo of us crazy fans and also in the DVD which was recorded in Paris 2001 you had a camera with you. Do you collect photos of us by any chance? :^)
Nicole: Oh, I just took a few pics for myself of the band and the audience. I don't really think too hard on it. I guess you guys looked like you were having fun, and I took a pic to remind me of it in 20 years, ya know?.
Tid: Is it because of your background as both a photographer and a Make-Up artist that you were asked to make the front and back sleeve photos of the 2001 Greatest Hits tourbook?
Nicole: Yes. Sharleen had seen my portfolio in the past, and I think she likes to work closely with people she knows can do the job, and that she feels comfortable with.
Tid: Do you have a boyfriend, married maybe?
Nicole: Yes, I'm happily married to an Englishman, and we live in London.
Tid: Are there any other artists you played with before you were recruited by Texas?
Nicole: I worked with a lot of Acid Jazz bands: Mother Earth, Barrie K. Sharpe and Diana Brown, Corduroy, James Taylor Quartet. Then I started doing Pop acts.
Tid: When exactly did you tour with Simply Red?
Nicole: I worked with Simply Red in 1995.
Tid: And how did you get to work with Robbie Williams? Did it end with your contribution to his song “Millennium” or did you also tour with him?
Nicole: I worked with Robbie in '97-'98, and I also sang on Teenage Millionaire, and Angels. Unfortunately, I wasn't credited for Angels, but I still get paid, but it does piss me off since I trudged through the rain at the last minute for the producer! That's showbiz folks!
Tid: What’s your favorite band or artist for the moment? And do you have any specific taste in music or do you like a lot of styles?
Nicole: My musical taste is pretty diverse. I love 60's and 70's rock n' roll, which includes punk. I love new wave, early hip hop, soul, and r&b . David Bowie is my favorite though. Oh, Patti Smith ! I love her poetry too.
Tid: Which is the last concert you attended as a spectator?
Nicole: Patti Smith. Fucking rocked.
Tid: Do you play an instrument yourself?
Nicole: Tambourine. Hee hee.
Tid: Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Nicole: 60's and 70's French and Italian cinema. American indie movies. Woody Allen is GOD. I also love to cook. I practice hatha yoga 4x a week, and I'm totally addicted. I collect art books, and go to as many museums and exhibitions as I can. Lucian Freud and David Hockney, and Tracy Emin are may favorite artists.
Texas
Tid: How did you become Texas' background singer?
Nicole: Johnny and Sharleen saw me sing with Robbie Williams on a t.v. show called T.F.I. Friday in London. Sharleen introduced herself to me and said a mutual friend told her that Texas and Robbie would be both performing on the same day. He told her that his friend was singing with Robbie Williams. Small world, eh?
Tid: Correct me if I’m wrong but I think that your first appearance with Texas live on stage was in Brighton with “The Hush Tour” back in 1999.
Nicole: Yes, you're right.
Tid: How did a girl from Hollywood become a background singer with a band from Scotland? I guess it must have been quite a temperature shock for you but was it also a big culture shock?
Nicole: I don't think like that. I'm pretty open to new experiences, so I never think situations might be perceived as strange. I just go with the flow. L.A. will always be there, and my experiences in different places often inspire my work when I'm home.
Tid: Were you nervous for your first gig with Texas?
Nicole: I'm never nervous singing. Not sure why. It's a very spontaneous feeling I get with other musicians. Lots of fun, and for some reason, it comes from somewhere inside of me, so I don't really have to think about it.
Tid: Did you feel at home right away in the band or was it hard for you to adapt?
Nicole: They are really lovely. They made me feel very comfortable. They're like a family of musicians. I don't think American or European, I just think nice people.
Tid: How was the atmosphere in the band when Mykey Wilson left shortly before “The Greatest Hits Tour” was ready to take off?
Nicole: Mykey Wilson is a lovely talented drummer, and we missed him very much. He had his reasons for leaving, and the band understand that. Luckily, and I mean luckily, Texas found Steve. Steve is also fun and very talented.
Tid: Did you have any own input to the show or was it all directed? Is there any room for your own interpretations?
Nicole: I'm just myself. I sing my bit and play around and dance on stage. There's always a little room for interpretation. Sharleen always changes it up a bit. A little structure is need for such a big show. Especially when you're gigging 5-6 nights a week, and the shows last for 2 hours!
Tid: What are the most positive and the most negative things about touring?
Nicole: Positives: Singing and dancing on stage. Travel, CATERING (is soundcheck over yet?)! Nice hotels. PARIS!
Negatives: Time away from your partner and your own bed.
Tid: What's your most memorable gig with Texas and why?
Nicole: Always Paris because the audience go mental.
Tid: Whose idea was it to do the humiliation dance with a guy or several guys from the audience during the last tour?
Nicole: Sharleen's idea. I thoroughly recommend grinding audience members on stage. Quite exhilarating. Just joking.
Tid: Has there ever been a moment that this act didn’t work at all?
Nicole: Never. When it doesn't work, it works because it's so silly.
Tid: What was the funniest thing that ever happened to you while on stage?
Nicole: Very public, or should I say pubic grinding on stage? No I'm not drunk! Just being silly again. Hey, if you want serious, find yourself a doctor baby!
Tid: Which is your favorite Texas songs to sing?
Nicole: "I don't want a lover". Ally's part always makes me crack up, don't know why. Maybe because it's so American.
Tid: And which is your favorite Texas song to listen to? (might be the same one of course)
Nicole: "Insane"
Tid: What are your expectations for the new album? Do you know what it will sound like?
Nicole: I have no idea, but they always come up with the goods.
Tid: Will we be able to hear you singing on the upcoming Texas album?
Nicole: I don't sing on the album because Sharleen is a fantastic singer. She can do the bvs (background vocals) herself in the studio. Saves money and time. I just help her out on stage.
Tid: Do you have any idea when us impatient fans can expect the new Texas album?
Nicole: I only just talked to Shar about a month ago. We only talked about the baby I'm afraid! She did say that there were ten songs done, but then we talked more about Misty Kyd! Sorry about that!
Tid: How did the band react to the fact that Sharleen announced that she was pregnant?
Nicole: I thought, bloody hell you're fertile kid! We'd only been off the tour for a few months. Well, it felt like that anyway! I was pleased of course!
Tid: What is your opinion about the Texas fans?
Nicole: Very sweet, very cool, fun and friendly! Loyal too!
Life after Texas
Tid: What are you up to now that Texas is on a low profile?
Nicole: Taking pictures, travelling, doing up our house, loads of things to do!
Tid: Is there anything you really want to accomplish in both your professional life as your personal life?
Nicole: I'm pretty much doing it all now and having' a ball!
Tid: Having worked with some big names in the music industry, do you ever consider a solo project?
Nicole: My solo project is my photography. My own creative thing!
Tid: Thanks a lot Nicole for this interview and we hope to see you on the Texas-stage again soon.
Nicole: Take care! Nic x
2003 - texasindemand.com
Questions by Klaas, Linda, Bea, Kathy, Alison, Rute and Dirk
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