Interview #450: The Saturdays

Having supported Girls Aloud on their Tangled Up Tour in 2008 before they'd even released their debut single, The Saturdays went on to prove that they were next in line when it came to UK girl group pop. Their debut album Chasing Lights peaked at number nine in the UK album charts and the girls went on to score hit singles with Up, Issues, Work and their Comic Relief Charity single, a cover of Depeche Mode's Just Can't Get Enough.

The Saturdays now return with their new album Wordshaker, headed up by new single Forever Is Over written by James Bourne from Busted. I Like Music caught up with Mollie to chat about their new record, her brand new boots, staying in shape, listening to Brandy, watching Britney Spears and lots more!

"I Like Music because… I think it can completely control how you feel. There’s a song for every emotion. For me, even if I’m feeling down I know there is a song that can always pick me up.” Mollie, The Saturdays

ILM: How would you describe the vibe of your new single Forever Is Over?

Mollie: We first heard the song in the Universal offices. The minute we heard the track we fell in love with it! We were all just like “Oh my God! We have to have this track!” It was written by James Bourne who was in Busted. We later found out that Kelly Clarkson and Pink were both fighting for the track too, but it ended up with us! That was cool! It’s basically a break up song but instead of being sad, it’s about a new start. It’s a song a lot of people can relate to. It’s still very much pop!

ILM: What can we expect from your new album Wordshaker?

Mollie: It’s quite similar to the first. Very Saturdays! We haven’t changed too much! Basically it’s just a step up, a progression. I think we’ve all come on vocally. There’s something for everyone in there too; ballads, songs that are quite sad, some really up beat ones! We’re really proud of it.

ILM: Is there a song you had the most fun laying down in the studio?

Mollie: It was fun recording Deeper because we wrote that one ourselves, so that was a bit more exciting! We recorded Forever Is Over in LA in a studio where Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra had recorded! That was really cool, we were all a bit star struck by that! There’s another track that we all really love called Here Standing, we did that in LA as well. To be honest, we were all just excited about hearing all the new tracks and getting to record a second album!

ILM: Now you’re on your second album, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt about the music industry so far?

Mollie: I’ve learnt so much. You have to really stay grounded. We get worked a lot and we don’t get much time off. You can kind of see how some people could go off the rails. I think we have a slight advantage because we’re all together. We can’t get wrapped up in it too much because we always have the other four pulling us back down into our place! I think you always have to stay grounded and make sure you have good people around you. When I go back home my family are exactly the same as when I was at school, things like “Mollie! Do the dishwasher!” “Mollie! Go and iron your clothes!” Just like normal really!

ILM: What would be your advice for anyone who would like to get involved in the music industry?

Mollie: My advice would be keep going and don’t ever stop. I did lots of auditions, you don’t get all of them. Each different audition is specific to what each project wants, so don’t feel down! I even went on the XFactor and things like that and I didn’t get to the end. But I just knew it was what I wanted to do, so you mustn’t stop! You need to keep practicing. I worked hard at school, but any time I had off I spent going to singing lessons and guitar lessons. You have to do everything you can.

ILM: How did you come to be a member of The Saturdays?

Mollie: I was in a girl band before this, doing the XFactor and things. Through that I was spotted and asked to audition for The Saturdays. We went through quite a long audition process, then I was chosen! I remember seeing Rochelle and Una at the auditions as well, then Frankie and Vanessa toward the end! When we found out it was the most amazing thing ever! It was weird, when someone says to you, “You’re going to be signed. You’re going to be in this massive girl band.” You kind of expect fireworks to go off and everyone to start singing celebration songs to you, but I just sort of walked out the office and life was still going on!

ILM: As a girl group you always look fantastic! How do you stay in shape with such a hectic lifestyle?

Mollie: We always try and look after ourselves. We like to try and make the most out of ourselves! We have to keep healthy if we’re going to keep working. We can’t really afford to have a day off ill or anything like that. So we eat healthily, do a lot of exercise, particularly dancing! I like staying fit! I wouldn’t say any of us were naturally models, but we all like to look our best!

ILM: You also have so many wonderful outfits, what’s been your most recent fashion purchase?

Mollie: My most recent has been some Fendi ankle boots! They’re black leather boots and they have some fur around the edges! They’re really cool! I always like to wear something that’s quite eye catching, something that will stand out. With these boots, you’ll either love them or hate them!

ILM: What would be your ideal night out?

Mollie: We don’t really get a chance to go out very much, we’re always working! We get to go out for each other’s birthdays though! I love things like going out to a restaurant first, having a nice dinner, then going on to a club with really good music, something we can dance to.

ILM: How about staying in?

Mollie: We get more of a chance to stay in! I love staying in and just relaxing with my mum or my boyfriend. I love watching the XFactor, or a film and just munching on something whilst sat on the sofa! Perfect!

ILM: What’s your earliest musical memory?

Mollie: Ummmm.....my earliest performing memory is from a family holiday on the Isle of Wight. I have two older sisters and there was a talent competition. I went up and stood with them while they performed. I must have only been about four! My eldest sister was the one singing, I was just standing there! I remember loving it up there! Although I ended up finding it boring, as I then wandered off the stage to find my mum......!

ILM: You’ll have to make sure you don’t do that these days!

Mollie: Haha! Yeah! I think I’d get quite a telling off if I did!

ILM: What music have you been listening to recently?

Mollie: I’ve been listening to a lot of Jordin Sparks. Also Brandy’s new album, that’s really, really good!

ILM: Out of all the live gigs you’ve seen, which have been the most inspiring?

Mollie: I always love watching live performances. Whenever Britney comes over I always go and see her concerts! I always think they’re amazing! She puts on such a show! It’s more than her just singing and dancing. A performance that really stood out for me when I was younger was when she performed at the VMA’s. She was performing I’m A Slave 4 U and then she came out with a snake! It was amazing! It was quite shocking, that performance as a whole was unbelievable.

ILM: Out of all the live shows you have done so far with The Saturdays, which have been some of the most memorable?

Mollie: When we supported Girls Aloud at The O2, that was amazing! Then we went and did the Jingle Bell Ball with loads of other acts there too! Plus our own headline tour! We performed at the Hammersmith Apollo! I got really emotional as my family were all watching, and it was my home town. That was really, really amazing!