THE OUTTAKES
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Annie Lennox has sold 80 million records, received 4 Grammy awards, 8 Brit awards, a Billboard Century award, and 2 MTV Video Music awards, making her one of the greatest singers of all time. Over the past few years, Annie has focused her time and energy on charitable works abroad, earning her appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II. She continues to work with the SING Campaign, an organization that raises awareness and support for women and children affected by HIV. With Nostalgia, her seventh album, Lennox continues her passionate journey, piecing together a beautiful memory that will last indefinitely.
What advice do you have for those looking to get into the music industry?
So tricky. The industry of music is quite a beast. It can eat you up and spit you out swiftly, with no compunction. One strike – then you’re out! There are countless pitfalls, especially now that things have changed so much over the last few decades. Unfortunately in my view many things are even worse than they were before in this regard. It’s an over saturated market place with diminishing returns, so record companies are offering contracts to unknown artists that have them stitched up for years in every aspect of the profession. Record companies have never really been the “good guys” (they’re businessmen first and foremost) but at least back in the day they’d be more inclined to support young musicians and give them some time to develop. Now they’re having to claw back any kind of money they can make from every source. I hate to sound discouraging in this regard, but unfortunately it’s just the truth of the matter. I think the best thing young aspiring musicians can do is to thoroughly inform themselves about what it might take to create some kind of sustainability. The good news is that there seems to be lots of small independent labels who might be more amenable to young innovative artists than the major labels.
What work are you most proud of?
I don’t think much about my work in terms of being “proud”. I’m actually more “amazed” that I’ve survived so many challenges and managed to create a fairly significant body of work over the years.
You’ve used your fame to help many charities, especially for HIV/AIDS. Does it give you a sense of purpose?
I can’t solve all the problems of the world, but I can make a contribution, whether it be through giving my time, or raising awareness and funds. Does it give me a sense of purpose? Yes it does – Absolutely!
If I just lived in my own bubble it would be a vacuous existence. A decade ago I was drawn towards becoming a campaigner for the African HIV AIDS pandemic, as it was wiping out the lives of millions of women and children and many people seemed to be oblivious of it. HIV/AIDS has been one of the biggest challenges the world has ever faced in terms of human rights and public health care, yet so many people remain unaware of it because it’s outside the realm of their immediate experience. They don’t often know the significant fact that given the appropriate treatment, an HIV positive mother can deliver an HIV negative baby.
How has traveling to Africa, to help those in need, have an impact on your children’s lives?
Becoming a mother radically changed my life at every level. It made me understand how resourceful and dedicated mothers have to be, especially if they’re unsupported and living in poverty. My travels have altered my paradigm in terms of how I see the world. In developing countries, millions of women and girls lack the most basic rights in terms of education, health care, life opportunities and protection. Those of us living in Western countries often have access to resources that we tend to take for granted. My daughters have witnessed some of these inequities and I’m sure it’s had an impact on their world view.
What do you think the world could improve on to become a better place?
The most urgent issue we are facing is the question of global “sustainability”. The entire world is ultimately interconnected at every level, yet we continue to abuse, exploit, and destroy our natural resources with impunity.
If I had a magic wand, I’d get rid of every gun, bomb, or weapon of mass destruction.. but then you have to consider that violence actually lies in our hearts and minds and the human race seems to be very much addicted to greed, cruelty, bigotry, and hatred. I respect everyone’s right to their religious faith, but so often religion is used as excuse to attack or disrespect others. It’s truly dark. I don’t actually think there is an overall “solution” to it other than just trying to live with compassion and empathy.
Having visited so many places, what is your favorite city? Favourite restaurant?
I’ve been incredibly privileged to have visited many of the major cities in the world. They all have unique aspects and characteristics, whether it be historically, culturally or architecturally. I’m always reluctant to have to choose “one” song, “one” colour or “one” favourite anything! But I’ll play ball. There is no other city in the world like Rome… but then again… Venice is otherworldly… or Barcelona… or London… or Paris, New York, Los Angeles… Prague, Edinburgh!!!??? Favourite restaurant… The Wolseley in London!
PHOTO – JAMES WHITE BY KINGSLEY PASCAL
Source: vvvmag.com
What advice do you have for those looking to get into the music industry?
So tricky. The industry of music is quite a beast. It can eat you up and spit you out swiftly, with no compunction. One strike – then you’re out! There are countless pitfalls, especially now that things have changed so much over the last few decades. Unfortunately in my view many things are even worse than they were before in this regard. It’s an over saturated market place with diminishing returns, so record companies are offering contracts to unknown artists that have them stitched up for years in every aspect of the profession. Record companies have never really been the “good guys” (they’re businessmen first and foremost) but at least back in the day they’d be more inclined to support young musicians and give them some time to develop. Now they’re having to claw back any kind of money they can make from every source. I hate to sound discouraging in this regard, but unfortunately it’s just the truth of the matter. I think the best thing young aspiring musicians can do is to thoroughly inform themselves about what it might take to create some kind of sustainability. The good news is that there seems to be lots of small independent labels who might be more amenable to young innovative artists than the major labels.
What work are you most proud of?
I don’t think much about my work in terms of being “proud”. I’m actually more “amazed” that I’ve survived so many challenges and managed to create a fairly significant body of work over the years.
You’ve used your fame to help many charities, especially for HIV/AIDS. Does it give you a sense of purpose?
I can’t solve all the problems of the world, but I can make a contribution, whether it be through giving my time, or raising awareness and funds. Does it give me a sense of purpose? Yes it does – Absolutely!
If I just lived in my own bubble it would be a vacuous existence. A decade ago I was drawn towards becoming a campaigner for the African HIV AIDS pandemic, as it was wiping out the lives of millions of women and children and many people seemed to be oblivious of it. HIV/AIDS has been one of the biggest challenges the world has ever faced in terms of human rights and public health care, yet so many people remain unaware of it because it’s outside the realm of their immediate experience. They don’t often know the significant fact that given the appropriate treatment, an HIV positive mother can deliver an HIV negative baby.
How has traveling to Africa, to help those in need, have an impact on your children’s lives?
Becoming a mother radically changed my life at every level. It made me understand how resourceful and dedicated mothers have to be, especially if they’re unsupported and living in poverty. My travels have altered my paradigm in terms of how I see the world. In developing countries, millions of women and girls lack the most basic rights in terms of education, health care, life opportunities and protection. Those of us living in Western countries often have access to resources that we tend to take for granted. My daughters have witnessed some of these inequities and I’m sure it’s had an impact on their world view.
What do you think the world could improve on to become a better place?
The most urgent issue we are facing is the question of global “sustainability”. The entire world is ultimately interconnected at every level, yet we continue to abuse, exploit, and destroy our natural resources with impunity.
If I had a magic wand, I’d get rid of every gun, bomb, or weapon of mass destruction.. but then you have to consider that violence actually lies in our hearts and minds and the human race seems to be very much addicted to greed, cruelty, bigotry, and hatred. I respect everyone’s right to their religious faith, but so often religion is used as excuse to attack or disrespect others. It’s truly dark. I don’t actually think there is an overall “solution” to it other than just trying to live with compassion and empathy.
Having visited so many places, what is your favorite city? Favourite restaurant?
I’ve been incredibly privileged to have visited many of the major cities in the world. They all have unique aspects and characteristics, whether it be historically, culturally or architecturally. I’m always reluctant to have to choose “one” song, “one” colour or “one” favourite anything! But I’ll play ball. There is no other city in the world like Rome… but then again… Venice is otherworldly… or Barcelona… or London… or Paris, New York, Los Angeles… Prague, Edinburgh!!!??? Favourite restaurant… The Wolseley in London!
PHOTO – JAMES WHITE BY KINGSLEY PASCAL
Source: vvvmag.com