Interview with Marti Pellow Starring in Aladdin at Bristol Hippodrome
Posted on: 23 Oct 2017We spoke to one of the UK’s best loved musicians and song-writers and of recent years, theatre actor, Marti Pellow in the run-up to Aladdin the pantomime at The Bristol Hippodrome. Marti shares his thoughts on song-writing, theatre, and Bristol.
The Wet Wet Wet frontman and singer behind smash hit classics Love Is All Around, Goodnight Girl, Wishing I Was Lucky and Angel Eyes, amongst many others, is a stunning and soulful vocalist, as well as a highly acclaimed and renowned theatre actor. Marti shares his thoughts on Bristol and some must-read advice for young creatives on how to overcome confidence issues.
In your spare time, what do you like to do in Bristol?
I just like to walk around all of the markets and pop-ups. There is always change every time I come here- I’ll say “oooh I have to go back to this little place here” and its gone and there’s something new! Other than that I spend most of my time in the Hippodrome, and stay with friends.
Have you enjoyed touring in musical theatre?
Do you try to explore the cities that you stay in?- You try but sometimes the schedule doesn’t allow it! Aladdin is 2 shows a day and I’m lucky to see the daylight, sometimes I spend a month here. I occasionally do Christmas shopping when I’ve got the time.
Do you prefer to play a villain rather than a good-guy?
I love the bad guys! Most of the roles I’ve played are that. These darker characters I gravitate to, I like the darker side of theatre and it throws people off because they don’t expect that.
Is theatre acting something that you found challenging to begin with?
Well… the bad guy takes care of himself, he’s always dark and nasty. The challenges lie in the good guy because you must invest with him. The main challenge is pulling the both of them off.
What have you contributed musically to this year’s Aladdin? In previous years you have written songs and written for the characters- have you done similar this year?
I’ve written a lot of original songs for this. That is what made it accessible for me to come and do this because I get to explore different soundscapes that I wouldn’t be able to do in the media, I enjoy the challenge.
Do you have a method to your writing? Do you perhaps have certain times in the day when you feel most inspired or do words pop into your head randomly and you feel that you must write them down?
Aye, sometimes I’ll write in the wee hours of the morning. I don’t ever say to myself “right it’s ten O’clock, better sit down and write something”. I find that I get inspired by other people, I like to write around other people. Writing is a very collaborative thing.
Being such a successful, multi award-winning song-writer, what advice would you give to writers to overcome the confidence barrier?
As a young artist and starting off- surround yourself with people that believe in their dreams too. It’s about being around positive, like–minded people and I’ve never drifted from that. It does take hard work, when all your friends are out clubbing staying in and writing lyrics can be difficult. Stick at it- and do what you need to do.
Is this something that you ever experience yourself, even after so many years of song-writing success?
Constantly! Self-doubt can take you right back to the playground. It’s human nature. As writers when someone says that your work Is really great, rather than saying “thanks” you pick out what you don’t like, criticism will come to you whether you’re famous or not but always pay attention to the good comments! That is what matters.
This year and next are looking rather busy for you, with touring musical theatre, pantomimes and your Private Collection Tour 2018. Do you like to be kept busy and on the move?
Aye, I really do- I love that. But there’s no point in doing all this if I can’t enjoy my family and my friends. If you’d said to me 20 years ago that I’d be doing panto and Broadway, I’d be shocked. But it’s important to get out of your comfort zone, it doesn’t make you any less of an artist to change genres, that’s what it’s all about for me.
Do you think it is important to be taken out of your comfort zone both personally and for your career?
Aye. I think it’s great otherwise it becomes like an old cardigan you wear every day. For example, I was set up with an African percussionist, we didn’t speak each other’s language but we found the common ground, and collaborated with music. I like to be out of my comfort zone and push myself, it’s important as an artist to do that.
What is your favourite song you’ve written?
Songs as I wrote as a teenager resonate deeper with me now. As you grow in life certain stories change. It might be an old pop song that becomes something different to you, you invest a piece of yourself in all your work. I can’t choose one!
As a teenager was lyric writing the first form of writing that you did creatively?
Yes. And there was so much happening at that time to be inspired by. I was listening to The Clash, The Smiths. That whole Geoff Travis Rough Trade Records started a great attitude that anybody could do it, that’s how the revolution happened.
Who’s your favourite artist at the moment?
Oooh! I’m old-school, I’m in a wee world of my own, one of them is Frank Zappa.
And finally, If you could collaborate or perform with any artist, dead or alive, who would that be?
Kate Bush! I love her. Or k.d Lang, shes amazing, oh or Massive Attack- good people and great music.
Aladdin the pantomime at the Bristol Hippodrome is running from 9th December to 7th January 2018. To buy Aladdin in Bristol tickets click here.