Perdita
11-10-2008, 11:40
Since winning The X Factor last December, Leon Jackson has kept his head down, beavering away in the recording studio with the people who make hits for Take That and Seal. Now, just as we were beginning to wonder what had happened to him, Leon's stepping back into the spotlight. He'll perform his new single, the string-swathed 'Don't Call This Love', on this week's X Factor, and his debut album arrives on October 20. Keen to find out more, we called Leon for a catch up.
You've taken your time over your album. Did you ever panic and think, 'I should be striking while the iron's hot'?
"Not at all. They've found a structure that works with Leona Lewis and there's no point rushing out an album full of covers and expecting it to rival the biggest artists out there - that's never going to happen. You've got to understand that it takes time to produce a quality record that's going to do well, so that's what we've done."
Do you feel extra pressure because Leona's been so successful? She's really raised the bar for X Factor winners.
"Definitely, but I think she's helped shake the stigma that's attached to reality show winners. She's a real inspiration. I don't compare myself to Leona because we're totally different people, we're totally different artists and we've got totally different backgrounds. She's been singing most of her life whereas I've only been singing for a short time."
Is your new single, 'Don't Call This Love', representative of the album?
"Well, I can tell you that the album's a mixture of genres - everything from singer-songwriter to modern jazz. I've tried to draw on all my influences, from Duffy to James Morrison to Michael Bublé to Amy Winehouse. It's been great for me to experiment and let everyone see that I'm versatile, so I can try and capture everyone in the audience and not leave anyone out."
How much input did you have in the album? Did you write at all?
"A track that I've co-written, 'Don't Give Up', is being used as the B-side to the first single. Obviously I'm not a writer yet and I'm just learning my craft in that respect, but I've been really involved in this album from choosing the songs to picking the artwork to deciding which vocal take to use."
Have you been in touch with Dannii since winning the show?
"Yes, I saw her at the Pride of Britain awards the other night - we presented an award together. We speak on the phone and she personally invited me to see the first instalment of this year's X Factor auditions at the Emirates Stadium."
Did she have much involvement in the album?
"Well, I see her as a mentor and a friend, and I know I can always phone her up for advice, but after you win The X Factor you move on and start dealing with people in the record company instead."
Why do you think she's having a hard time on this year's show?
"Is she having a hard time?"
Well, we haven't seen a huge amount of her.
"Well, at the end of the day it's Cheryl's first year so there's going to be more focus on that. I think it was the same for Dannii last year when it was her debut year. I think everyone's getting on great this year and the morale on the show is really good."
Which of this year's contestants has impressed you?
"Well, Austin's a friend of mine from Boot Camp last year so I'm hoping he can do really well. I'm still in touch with him and I speak to him on the phone and stuff. I don't know who can go all the way, but another one of the standout people for me is Laura White. I really like Laura White."
Are you nervous about returning to the show on Saturday?
"I'm really looking forward to it to be honest. I'm going to be onstage with a big band so hopefully I can rise to the occasion and give a great performance."
Leon Jackson's single, 'Don't Call This Love', will be available to download from midnight on Saturday. The album, Right Now, follows on October 20.
You've taken your time over your album. Did you ever panic and think, 'I should be striking while the iron's hot'?
"Not at all. They've found a structure that works with Leona Lewis and there's no point rushing out an album full of covers and expecting it to rival the biggest artists out there - that's never going to happen. You've got to understand that it takes time to produce a quality record that's going to do well, so that's what we've done."
Do you feel extra pressure because Leona's been so successful? She's really raised the bar for X Factor winners.
"Definitely, but I think she's helped shake the stigma that's attached to reality show winners. She's a real inspiration. I don't compare myself to Leona because we're totally different people, we're totally different artists and we've got totally different backgrounds. She's been singing most of her life whereas I've only been singing for a short time."
Is your new single, 'Don't Call This Love', representative of the album?
"Well, I can tell you that the album's a mixture of genres - everything from singer-songwriter to modern jazz. I've tried to draw on all my influences, from Duffy to James Morrison to Michael Bublé to Amy Winehouse. It's been great for me to experiment and let everyone see that I'm versatile, so I can try and capture everyone in the audience and not leave anyone out."
How much input did you have in the album? Did you write at all?
"A track that I've co-written, 'Don't Give Up', is being used as the B-side to the first single. Obviously I'm not a writer yet and I'm just learning my craft in that respect, but I've been really involved in this album from choosing the songs to picking the artwork to deciding which vocal take to use."
Have you been in touch with Dannii since winning the show?
"Yes, I saw her at the Pride of Britain awards the other night - we presented an award together. We speak on the phone and she personally invited me to see the first instalment of this year's X Factor auditions at the Emirates Stadium."
Did she have much involvement in the album?
"Well, I see her as a mentor and a friend, and I know I can always phone her up for advice, but after you win The X Factor you move on and start dealing with people in the record company instead."
Why do you think she's having a hard time on this year's show?
"Is she having a hard time?"
Well, we haven't seen a huge amount of her.
"Well, at the end of the day it's Cheryl's first year so there's going to be more focus on that. I think it was the same for Dannii last year when it was her debut year. I think everyone's getting on great this year and the morale on the show is really good."
Which of this year's contestants has impressed you?
"Well, Austin's a friend of mine from Boot Camp last year so I'm hoping he can do really well. I'm still in touch with him and I speak to him on the phone and stuff. I don't know who can go all the way, but another one of the standout people for me is Laura White. I really like Laura White."
Are you nervous about returning to the show on Saturday?
"I'm really looking forward to it to be honest. I'm going to be onstage with a big band so hopefully I can rise to the occasion and give a great performance."
Leon Jackson's single, 'Don't Call This Love', will be available to download from midnight on Saturday. The album, Right Now, follows on October 20.