Ex-Sugababe Keisha Buchanan readies 'fresh' solo album

Page last updated at 05:31 GMT, Thursday, 21 July 2011 06:31 UK

Keisha said she 'never planned to be solo' when she was in The Sugababes

Ex-Sugababe Keisha Buchanan has told Newsbeat she's in the studio working on a "fresh" solo album.

The 26-year-old singer revealed she is working with US producer Dallas Austin, who has made music with Michael Jackson and Madonna, among others.
"I think there is no particular musical direction, it's just a vibe," she said.
Keisha left The Sugababes in 2009 but said she "never planned to be solo" and that she "can't talk about" the reasons for the split.
'International sound' "Legally I can't go into too much detail... I've got no hard feelings towards anyone and I understand that life has to go on."
She admitted to feeling "down" in the months after her time in the band ended.
"I felt really confused, I think a lot of people were confused.
"They weren't the only ones 'cos it was a shock to me to hear some of the things that were put out there," she added.
Keisha showed Newsbeat the designs she has had painted on her nails
As she continues to work on her solo album, she said she had made a point of taking some time off before making her comeback.
"I know a lot of the times when someone leaves a group they rush into it.
"That was the last thing on my mind," she added.
"So this year I've been making sure that I don't rush it, making sure that the image was right and just doing music that I love to do.
"I think that's where it starts, you need to really love the music that you do," she said.
She went on to reveal that her debut album would be mostly produced by Future Cut, who have made tracks for Lily Allen, Shakira, and Professor Green.
She also said that she had co-written songs with Cathy Dennis, who wrote Kylie Minogue's Can't Get You Out Of My Head and Britney Spears' Toxic.
"It's an international sound but not necessarily pop music or R&B music," she said.
And she added that there was no fixed date for the new material.
"Every time we lock down there's always someone else who wants to work with me.
"I haven't exactly got a set date - the most important thing to me is to make sure that the album is fire," she said.

Sugababes - Freedom (Fanmade Full Version)

Thanks to @BombasticLuke
Uploaded by luke2509 on 21 Jul 2011

Fanmade full version of the Sugababes new single "Freedom". Made up of clips of the studio version and their T4 live version.

Keisha Buchanan-Push The Button/Overload-Jacques Townhouse 20th July 2011

Thanks to @JUMPINSOUNDS for permission to blog his video

Uploaded by JUMPINSOUNDS on 19 Jul 2011

 

Sugababes - Freedom New Mix

Sugababes - Freedom by sugababesdaily

Nick Gatfield becomes new Sony chairman and CEO

09:48 | Thursday July 21, 2011

By Robert Ashton

In a shock move the former Universal and EMI executive Nick Gatfield has taken the top job at Sony Music replacing long term incumbent Ged Doherty, who has left the group.

In his new role Gatfield, who only joined Sony in February as president of the music division, will report directly to Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris.

Morris described the former EMI Music president of new music for north America as “an accomplished music executive with a successful A&R background, strong senior management experience, and a special understanding of the artist community.”

Gatfield, who also held down the president of Universal Island Records brief until 2008, said he was delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the UK company. “I look forward to working with the team to build Sony Music UK & Ireland into the leading music entertainment company in the market,” said the former Dexy’s Midnight Runners keyboardist.

Sony has had a number of top level changes of late with Phonogenic taking over the management of Epic Records following the departure of the well respected Nick Raphael to Universal.

Many believed Raphael’s move was in response to the hiring of Gatfield.

As EMI Music’s president of new music for North America from 2008 to September 2010, Gatfield was responsible for breakthrough artists such as Tinie Tempah, Eliza Doolittle, Deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia.

At Island he worked with such artists as Amy Winehouse, Keane, Mika, The Fratellis, McFly, Busted, Sugababes, The Feeling, Robyn and Taio Cruz. ]

Gatfield, who has also held senior roles at Polydor, started his career at EMI in 1985, becoming A&R director in 1987 (the youngest director in EMI’s history). During this time he oversaw the signings of all EMI’s labels, which included artists such as Radiohead and Blur.

Sugababes at LoveBox ~ Photos & Video from LiteSwitch

When LiteSwitch met the SugaBabes!

 Sugababes with Jodie Harsh

 Heidi chatting to Mel Blatt

LoveBox 2011.
It’s random who you bump into at these things…for example a band The Guinness Book of World Records named as the most successful female act of the 21st century, The SugaBabes!! (6 UK number one singles and 18 UK top ten hits.)

The delightful Heidi, Amelle, and Jade loitered with Yemi backstage at LoveBox to talk all things fashion and festivals.
The girls also gave us an EXCLUSIVE on the release of their new single “Freedom” – out on September 19th! AND that they’ve been working with the incredible producer Kris Di Angelis. You’ll be hearing his name alot veeery soon…
Sometimes…we’re TOO good to you! Enjoy!

   

 

Former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan launches her solo career with intimate gig

Going it alone: Former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan launches her solo career with intimate gig

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 5:23 PM on 20th July 2011


She left the all-girl group almost two years ago and said she was going to be pursuing a solo career.

Having been in the studio for the past 18 months, Keisha Buchanan finally debuted the fruits of her labour with a solo gig last night.

The pop star, 26, launched her solo career with a small intimate performance at the Jacques Townhouse in central London in front of a few select celebrity friends, fans and the media.

Scroll down for the videos...

Solo queen: Former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan played her first solo gig last night as she launched the next chapter in her music career

And Keisha went down a storm as she sang songs from her debut album including Beautiful Mess and Carried Away.

She also sang a fantastic cover of Beyoncé's Run The World (Girls) which she mashed with Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, delighted the crowd.

And paying tribute to her former band, and the group that shot her to fame, Keisha also launched into a medley of Sugababes songs including Push The Button and Overload.

Introducing Miss Buchanan: Keisha takes to the mike to debut some of her solo material at the Jacques Townhouse

Overload was the band's debut single in 2000 when Keisha was in the band with Siobhán Donaghy and Mutya Buena.

But last night was all about her and she had been on her Twitter page all day excitedly Tweeting about the night to come.

She wrote: 'Wow exciting day ahead! Im shaking but i feel the support so its really helping..Errr A LOT! lol Mwah 2 all my followers, Thx 4 ur tweets X'

Geisha girl: Keisha smiled broadly for the cameras as she posed with a pink parasol outside the venue

And clearly it had gone well for the Londoner as she took to her page after the gig and wrote: 'Wow thank you so much for all ur messages of support. Im cryin! lol

'Last night went well & im gonna post the link for those who missed it X'

Showing support: Model Tolula Adeyemi and actress Jaime Winstone were at the gig

Up for a song: TV presenter Laura Whitmore, wearing an owl pendant necklace by Lavish Alice, and handbag designer Jasmine Guinness were also on the guest list

And she looked sensational in a very short asymmetrical white dress, her hair wrapped up in a bun on the top of her head which she finished off with a pink and white flower.

It was all change for the microphone, however, as she kept it sexy by slipping into white lacy shorts and a floral strapless top.

In the crowd were a few famous faces all there to support Keisha, including actress Jaime Winstone, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, wearing an owl pendant necklace by Lavish Alice and model Tolula Adeyemi.

Are you sitting comfortably? Actress Preeya Kalidis gets ready for some live music

Designer Jasmine Guinness also attended as well as actress Preeya Kalidas.

Keisha was a founding member of the Sugababes when they formed in 1998, and when Siobhan left in 2001, she and Mutya welcomed Heidi Range into the fold.

In 2005, Mutya walked away and she was replaced by Amelle Berrabah, but four years later, and after 11 years in the band, Keisha also parted ways.

The originals: Keisha (centre) with founding members Siobhán Donaghy and Mutya Buena

Change number one: Siobhan left and was replaced by Heidi Range

She issued a statement that said: 'I'm sad to say that I am no longer a part of the Sugababes. Although it was not my choice to leave, it's time to enter a new chapter in my life.

'I would like to state that there were no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort that lead to this. Sometimes a breakdown in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things.'

New member number two: Mutya left and Amelle Berrabah stepped in her place and four years later, Keisha called it a day and Jade Ewen replaced her

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2016890/Former-Sugababe-Keisha-Buchanan-launches-solo-career-intimate-gig.html#ixzz1Sgvgo5Wc