In Conversation

02 December 2008 03:11 BST

The Saturdays: X Factor girl bands can't compare to us

Following on from the top ten success of their debut single, If This Is Love, the Saturdays release their new single Up on October 13th before their first album Chasing Lights hits the shelves on October 27th.

The Saturdays' winning formula has already found fans in the press with Sunday Times Culture declaring them "fantastic, stroppy disco" while Popjustice hailed them as 'very excellent' and Perez Hilton blogged 'pure pop heaven... our latest obsession'.

Una Healy, Rochelle Wiseman, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Mollie King are the five girls that make up the Saturdays. They have spent the past year working on their debut album in London and Norway with producers who have been behind the likes of Rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls. Now with the album complete, they're ready to bring some fun and glamour back to the charts.

inthenews.co.uk's Lewis Bazley talks to the girl band ahead of the release of their debut album.

With Up, are you guys just going for an unashamed pop sound?

All: Yeah, definitely!
Rochelle: That's us to a tee.



Should we expect different styles from the album?

Mollie: Yeah, there are some which are slightly more R 'n' B and more laidback, and there's ballads as well, but it's definitely a pop album.

Who have you guys been inspired by?

R: The Spice Girls influenced all of us but we'd say Rihanna musically, and we've worked with her producers on two tracks. Our songwriters have worked with Pussycat Dolls as well.
Una: We have our own stamp on everything though, there's definitely a 'Saturdays sound'.
M: All the songs compliment each other as well.

How long have you guys actually been together now?

Vanessa: A bit longer than a year now.
M: We got together last summer but we didn't really start working until Christmas and that's when we started recording and getting ready for the tour with Girls Aloud.

Rochelle and Frankie, you were in S Club Juniors, so were already in the business - are you like the old hands of the group?

All: No! (laughs)
R: We learn something new everyday.
U: I'd say the industry's probably different now than it was for the girls but I'd definitely say they relieve pressure from the rest of us. Something like going on GMTV can feel like massive deal but because they've done it before, it helps us ignore that feeling of 'Oh, god, I'm so scared!' (laughs)

And Mollie, you were actually on the X Factor - what do you think of the current crop on the show?

M: They're really good actually. When I was on it, we hung out loads with Austin at boot camp, and I remember he was the life and soul of it and would have everyone 'round singing on his guitar. So I was really glad when he got through.

But what about the girl bands - they're a bit trashy aren't they?

R: I don't think they're as good as the Saturdays! I think Cheryl Cole's got a really strong category with the female singers but with the girl bands… they're alright but they're not us! (laughs)

Talking of TV talent shows, you supported Girls Aloud, of course - is the level they're at where you want to be?

All: Of course!
Frankie: To have their success would just be amazing. When you see the size of their show, with the fireworks and everything… it's indescribable.

Was it nerve-wracking to play in massive venues?

U: Definitely!
M: Every night you got more used to it, and it was just more excitement than anything, especially being up there all together.

Was there any evidence that Cheryl was going through a tough divorce?

R: Not at all.
F: You'd never have known. She never looked down ever.
R: You can tell she's a really strong person and wouldn't let it get in the way of her work.
U: Your personal life's your own and everyone goes through their own issues, but it's about getting on with your job.
R: It's just really horrible that she had to deal with it in the way she did.

A lot of people watching the X Factor have been amazed at just how pretty she is - is it that surprising in person?

All: So much! (laughs)
M: Before we went on tour, we thought 'Ok, everyone fancies Cheryl but we're bound to see her looking bad', but we were just amazed! She's so, so pretty. I called my mum straight away to say how unbelievably gorgeous Cheryl is! (laughs)
R: I just couldn't stop staring at her, she probably thought I was giving her evils! (laughs)

Girls Aloud all lived together after forming on Popstars: The Rivals - is it the same for you?

All: Not at all! (laughs)

Why not, would you fight more?

F: We didn't really get the option to do it and we all live in London anyway, so it wasn't a necessity. I think it's good that we don't live together, I think we'd drive each other mad!

Lewis Bazley