Project Description

Interview with Kim Wilde

Pop Princess, Kim Wilde, is coming back to Australia in November for an 80s extravaganza and she’s bringing Howard Jones with her! Amnplify’s Pauli Dee caught up with Kim and spoke to her about her memories of Australia, music in the 80s and Kim’s exciting announcement regarding a new album.

 

Kim Wilde is returning to Australia later this year with Howard Jones.

Pauli: Hi Kim. Thanks so much for talking to us today. How are you?

Kim: I’m great! You’re my last interview tonight! I’m just eyeing off a nice bottle of red that I opened up earlier on and I’m just thinking about that second glass, but I thought I’d just wait until after I’ve spoken to you.

 

Pauli: Well, I’ll try and make this quick because I understand. I’m also a man with priorities! We’ve been lucky enough to see you over here in Australia quite regularly, your last visit being two years ago. What memories do you have of Australia?

Kim: Oh so many. I first came over when I was 13 in 1973. I remember we stayed in Sydney, my dad was doing some gigs there and the Opera House had just been completed and we went to see it, and I remember just being absolutely blown away and I’ve been back many times.

Obviously I came back in the 80s when I was promoting Kids In America, doing Molly Meldrum show and a whole bunch of other really fun shows in Australia. Then I came back again in the 90s, I did a greatest hits tour then and then I came back in the “noughties” when I did an 80s tour with The Human League and Belinda Carlisle… and then the last time I was there, just a few years ago, which was with Nik Kershaw and that was such a great tour.

 

Pauli: Is there anything in particular that you’re wanting to see or do while you’re here this time?

Kim: Well I’ve looked at the schedule and there’s not much time to do much sight-seeing or being a tourist, but I always take my trainers, so I like to put them on and escape the hotel and just walk and see where it takes me. There’s always time to get out for a couple of hours and the best way to see anywhere is by foot!

 

Pauli: The tour you’re doing this year is labelled an “80s extravaganza” tour and we seem to be seeing more 80s artists doing these flashback tours. What is it, do you think, about the 80s that everyone wants to revisit and has new generations wanting to go there?

Kim: Well I think it’s several things. I think people see the 80s through rose-painted spectacles. I guess they were the days before a lot of people that were buying records then had mortgages or responsibilities, so there’s a sense of “they were the good old days!” I sort of think that to a degree, but I’m not a great sentimentalist about things like that but for sure the music has stood the test of time, that’s absolutely for sure.

Some great pop records were made and it was a real melting pot, you know we had been through the 60s and 70s and the 80s was post-punk & new-wave and it was just a melting pot of all the pop history that had come before & of courseABBA; you can’t forget ABBA!

 

Pauli: Do you have a favourite 80s artist?

Kim: Well… that’s a hard one… I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Billy Idol, I have to tell you!
I’ve done a few big festivals with him. I did one in Vienna with him and he’s a very inspiring performer and god he’s made some great records.

 

Pauli: You opened for Michael Jackson in 1988 for his BAD tour. How was that?

Kim: That was a real highlight of my career. My album, Close, was out at the time and it was a perfect storm, really. Michael was at the peak of his success, arguably I would say, at his very best, so to be opening for him and I got some great reviews and a great reaction. It was wonderful to watch him at the top of his game and being so amazing. It was an incredible privilege and very inspiring and I’m very thankful that I was given that opportunity.

 

Pauli: You’ve had an amazing career. I know opening for David Bowie was another one.
You’re an award winning gardener, author, radio personality, recording artist as well as a mum and wife. How do you find time? What’s your secret? Do you sleep?

Kim: [Laughs] Well a lot of it’s luck!

I was very lucky to meet my husband when I did, when I was 36, he’s a good man and we’ve been together for 20 years now and he’s been my rock and my kids have made my life make sense and you know, they’ve confused it a lot at times, but they’ve given my life purpose and they’ve inspired me and given a lot of love and I’ve gotten to work with my brother, which was luck again.

I was born into a musical family, which has been nothing but an incredible gift, so someone was looking after me when they put me on the planet all those years ago.

 

Pauli: They were. I know you’re an avid gardener these days but have you been in the recording studio at all lately?

Kim: Yep! We’re just finishing a new album that I’m very excited about, which could be one of the best ones yet. It certainly rivals some of the best albums I’ve made in the past. I’m so excited about it & we’re looking for an early release next year for it. We’ve been working on it on and off for a few years, but we’re just joining up the dots now & I think you’re gonna love it!

 

Pauli: Ooh, exciting! Does that mean we’ll see some of your new material when you’re Down Under later in the year?

…to hear Kim’s response to this and many questions, listen to the interview HERE

 

Kim Wilde & Howard Jones are touring Australia in November this year.

Wednesday 2nd November – CANBERRA, Canberra Theatre
Friday 4th November – SYDNEY, Enmore Theatre
Saturday 5th November – BRISBANE, Eatons Hill
Sunday 6th November – GOLD COAST, Jupiters
Wednesday 9th November – SYDNEY, Rooty Hill RSL
Thursday 10th November – HOBART, Wrest Point
Friday 11th November – MELBOURNE, Palais Theatre
Saturday 12th November – ADELAIDE, The Gov
Sunday 13th November – PERTH, Astor Theatre

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