Girls Aloud Give Their Support To Amy Winehouse

Girls Aloud members Kimberley, Nadine, Cheryl, Sarah and Nicola joined Andrew Castle and Kate Garraway for a chat in the GMTV studio this morning, after performing their new single ‘Sexy! No, no, no…’. The girls talked openly about the pressures within the industry, and showed support for fellow artist Amy Winehouse.

Kate Garraway: Your new single, which we just heard and sounds great, does have a Girls Aloud sound. Where does that come from? Is that something you do? Is it the writers?

Cheryl Cole: I think it comes from just working with the same team. We know them so well, they know us so well. So when we go in the studio, we just create it, it just happens.

Andrew Castle: It started with ‘Underground’ really didn’t it?

Nadine Coyle: It’s always been kind of left of centre. We had ‘Love Machine’ which was kind of really out there and then ‘Something Kind of Ooh’ was dancey. This is like a progression from that, dancey but still very Girls Aloud, you can definitely tell it’s us.

KG: And you’ve got an album coming? Have you all been scribbling away writing?

Sarah Harding: A few melodies and lyrics and just bits and bobs really. We’ve taken our time a little bit more on this album. We don’t want to rush it out too quickly.

CC: It’s really exciting though. It’s our fifth album now, it’s still got that real nervous thing. You never quite know how it’s going to be received.

Nicola Roberts: And as well, it’s been two years since we recorded an album because last year was the Greatest Hits and we only did a few songs. So it’s nice to get back into the studio really.

KG: I genuinely forget where you came from, which is a reality show. It seems to have been put to bed that, doesn’t it? Do you find when you’re looking at shows like X Factor – which 10 million of us are, it’s a huge success again this year – when you’re watching shows like that, do you find yourself thinking ‘God I can’t believe I ever went through that!’

NC: When you watch it, it’s one of those things you think there is no way, no money in the world that would make me go back and stand in front of those judges. You don’t know what you’re putting yourself up for. For us it worked out really really well, we’ve been successful and we’ve been able to keep making music. But for a lot of people it just creates a lot of hardship in their lives meaning they can’t go back to work because they’re famous, but not famous enough to keep releasing songs. It’s a hard game.

KG: Do you feel that you can look at the auditionees and spot the ones that are going to be good and are going to make it?

NR: When you’re watching you get belly ache because you know how they feel so you’re like ‘Oh my God!’, you feel nervous for them. That’s really strange.

Kimberley Walsh: And when I look at the live shows, I just think ‘I cannot believe I did that. I can’t believe it…’

AC: You started Glastonbury, or was it V?

All of GA: V!

KG: I was there and it was great to watch all these people that were really snooty about the idea of Girls Aloud playing and then desperate to get in and being turned away because it was too full. You’ve been looked after, but also taken a lot of control yourself in the industry. We’ve been talking this morning about poor old Amy Winehouse, what problems she’s got. Her family are very worried about what she’s going through. And also people saying ‘Where does the music industry come in on this? When should they say ‘Let’s stop giving this girl awards?’

CC: I don’t think it’s about the music industry. It’s personal. I mean we could have all taken that road if we had chosen to. Anybody out there could, it’s got nothing to do with the music industry. I know people back home who are in exactly the same situation. There are thousands of people out there. It’s just because she’s in the public eye that it’s more heightened. But I think she should still be recognised for the work she’s done so far. It’s an amazing album from a very very talented person. I think she needs to be rewarded for that.

KG: Her husband’s father was saying ‘Maybe it’s time we stop buying the records’.

SH: I don’t think that’s fair. I think at the time you’re put under a lot of pressure.

KG: Good luck with the new single and the album.