lizann
15-12-2009, 21:37
Dutch-born Esmée Denters first caught the attention of Justin Timberlake when she posted videos of herself singing on YouTube. Whisked over to America on the next available flight, she was soon offered a deal on his Tennman Records imprint and put to work in the studio. JT's faith has already paid off, with Esmeé's debut single 'Outta Here' cracking the Top 10 over the summer, but what can we expect from her upcoming album? We met up with the lady herself to find out.
Were you pleased with how well 'Outta Here' did over here?
"It was crazy. I was hoping it might go into the top 20, so I just couldn't stop looking at the iTunes chart when it was released. It just went up and up and up! I'm so pleased that the fans have supported it and can't wait to release more stuff now."
Why did you pick 'Admit It' as your second single?
"I really wanted to show a different side to me. The first single was very dancey and urban, but this one is a lot more funky and live-sounding. I just want people to hear the different kind of songs that are on the record."
Are the two songs together a good indication of what to expect from your album?
"The album is really diverse and like a mixture of both. I grew up in Holland, so I was inspired by European groups and American music. I really love mixing up different styles and putting my own stamp on things."
How much influence did Justin Timberlake have as executive producer?
"He definitely put his imprint on it. I told him from the beginning that it was important for me to write. I wanted people to get to know who I am because all they'd heard before were covers. We sat down and and he went through all the songs I'd written and changed some of the production and lyrics. Later on I actually started writing with him, which was amazing because it was so one-on-one and we got along really well. He was very open to what I wanted, because at the end of the day it's my record."
Have you been able to digest everything that's happened to you so far?
"It's amazing, especially when I look back at the old YouTube videos. In the first one I was chewing gum and didn't really know what would happen. I just wanted to see what people thought of my voice. To have it blow up like this and have Justin wanting to make a record with me... it's still so surreal. You have the dream, but you never think it will actually happen."
Will you be collaborating with Justin on his next album?
"I haven't discussed working with him yet, but I'd love to. Have I heard any of his new songs? Well, you'll have to wait and see, but when it's coming it's going to be good!"
Is it strange that fans now post their own versions of your songs on YouTube?
"Totally! There's one I watched where people copied all the clothes perfectly and recreated all the scenes - it's amazing how much effort they put into it. Who would have thought that after covering all these songs, people would now be covering mine? It's really kind of cool."
What other artists are you listening to at the moment?
'Well, I'm actually a really big fan of Pixie Lott. She's a great artist and a great songwriter too. I met her the other day and she was really sweet and genuine. I also really like Alexandra Burke. I saw her live and she's an amazing singer and dancer and she put on a really good set."
Looking back on your year, what's been the highlight for you?
"I've been able to do so many great things, but winning the Best Dutch Artist prize at the EMAs was incredible. I used to beg my parents to stay up for it when I was younger, so to make it onto that stage with my video playing behind me was great."
Are you treated differently now when you go back home?
"People on the street sometimes come up and talk to me now. Generally they say positive things, so it's all cool. My friends and family know I'm still Esmée and don't treat me any differently. I still see my two best friends whenever I can, but I hardly get any time off and have to do a lot of emailing!"
John & Edward from The X Factor recently revealed that they have a crush on you. Would you consider dating one of them?
"I actually saw them on Sunday at the Jingle Bell Ball. They were walking down the hallway and I pulled through the window and said, 'Hey!'. I can't work out which one is which, but one of the guys came running down and said, 'We love your music'. They were really nice. They're kind of young for me though. I don't know how old they are but they definitely look younger than me! I would have dinner with them though - they seem like really nice guys!"
Esmée Denters releases new single 'Admit It' on December 28. Her album Outta Here follows on January 11.
Were you pleased with how well 'Outta Here' did over here?
"It was crazy. I was hoping it might go into the top 20, so I just couldn't stop looking at the iTunes chart when it was released. It just went up and up and up! I'm so pleased that the fans have supported it and can't wait to release more stuff now."
Why did you pick 'Admit It' as your second single?
"I really wanted to show a different side to me. The first single was very dancey and urban, but this one is a lot more funky and live-sounding. I just want people to hear the different kind of songs that are on the record."
Are the two songs together a good indication of what to expect from your album?
"The album is really diverse and like a mixture of both. I grew up in Holland, so I was inspired by European groups and American music. I really love mixing up different styles and putting my own stamp on things."
How much influence did Justin Timberlake have as executive producer?
"He definitely put his imprint on it. I told him from the beginning that it was important for me to write. I wanted people to get to know who I am because all they'd heard before were covers. We sat down and and he went through all the songs I'd written and changed some of the production and lyrics. Later on I actually started writing with him, which was amazing because it was so one-on-one and we got along really well. He was very open to what I wanted, because at the end of the day it's my record."
Have you been able to digest everything that's happened to you so far?
"It's amazing, especially when I look back at the old YouTube videos. In the first one I was chewing gum and didn't really know what would happen. I just wanted to see what people thought of my voice. To have it blow up like this and have Justin wanting to make a record with me... it's still so surreal. You have the dream, but you never think it will actually happen."
Will you be collaborating with Justin on his next album?
"I haven't discussed working with him yet, but I'd love to. Have I heard any of his new songs? Well, you'll have to wait and see, but when it's coming it's going to be good!"
Is it strange that fans now post their own versions of your songs on YouTube?
"Totally! There's one I watched where people copied all the clothes perfectly and recreated all the scenes - it's amazing how much effort they put into it. Who would have thought that after covering all these songs, people would now be covering mine? It's really kind of cool."
What other artists are you listening to at the moment?
'Well, I'm actually a really big fan of Pixie Lott. She's a great artist and a great songwriter too. I met her the other day and she was really sweet and genuine. I also really like Alexandra Burke. I saw her live and she's an amazing singer and dancer and she put on a really good set."
Looking back on your year, what's been the highlight for you?
"I've been able to do so many great things, but winning the Best Dutch Artist prize at the EMAs was incredible. I used to beg my parents to stay up for it when I was younger, so to make it onto that stage with my video playing behind me was great."
Are you treated differently now when you go back home?
"People on the street sometimes come up and talk to me now. Generally they say positive things, so it's all cool. My friends and family know I'm still Esmée and don't treat me any differently. I still see my two best friends whenever I can, but I hardly get any time off and have to do a lot of emailing!"
John & Edward from The X Factor recently revealed that they have a crush on you. Would you consider dating one of them?
"I actually saw them on Sunday at the Jingle Bell Ball. They were walking down the hallway and I pulled through the window and said, 'Hey!'. I can't work out which one is which, but one of the guys came running down and said, 'We love your music'. They were really nice. They're kind of young for me though. I don't know how old they are but they definitely look younger than me! I would have dinner with them though - they seem like really nice guys!"
Esmée Denters releases new single 'Admit It' on December 28. Her album Outta Here follows on January 11.