Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Westlife's video message
If you head over to the video section right now the boys have left you all a little video message about their new album, Where We Are...
Check it out here!
Source & Credit:Wstlife.com
Check it out here!
Source & Credit:Wstlife.com
Grieving Westlife bare their souls
WESTLIFE say recent tragedies including the death of Stephen Gately have forced them to re-evaluate their lives.
Just seven weeks after Boyzone star Gately (33) died in Mallorca the showbiz world will hold an extravaganza in his memory at the Palace Theatre in London's West End tomorrow.
Comedians Graham Norton, Matt Lucas, Alan Carr and Paul O'Grady are expected to attend, though it's believed Boyzone will not perform.
Meanwhile, Westlife singer Nicky Byrne has revealed how he desperately misses his father, Nikki Byrne snr (60), who died so suddenly just three weeks ago.
"The finality of it is just incomprehensible," he said.
Fellow band-mate Kian Egan (29) lost his father, Kevin, after a long battle with cancer in July of this year.
"When I lost my dad the idea of it was just heartbreaking and I said to the boys to make sure and take care of your dads," Kian said.
"And here we are and another of the band's dad is gone as well. It's obviously a very, very difficult thing.
"I don't think you ever get over it. You just accept it a little bit more as time goes on, rather than getting over it," he added.
Dad-of-two Nikki (31) said he doesn't fear death and was grateful that his dad wasn't in pain before he passed away.
Sick
"I'm not afraid to die. I'm too young to die," he said. "My dad always said he never wanted to be sick.
"At any funeral we were at he would say to enjoy life because as quick as you are here, you are gone. The fans have been so good with the letters and the cards," Nicky added.
The group revealed that the song I'll See You Again, which appears on their new album Where We Are, has a special significance to them.
"It's a really moving track but uplifting," Nicky said. "Even though it is about death and someone going, it's about seeing them again and them always walking beside you. It is a message of hope."
Source:Herald.ie
Just seven weeks after Boyzone star Gately (33) died in Mallorca the showbiz world will hold an extravaganza in his memory at the Palace Theatre in London's West End tomorrow.
Comedians Graham Norton, Matt Lucas, Alan Carr and Paul O'Grady are expected to attend, though it's believed Boyzone will not perform.
Meanwhile, Westlife singer Nicky Byrne has revealed how he desperately misses his father, Nikki Byrne snr (60), who died so suddenly just three weeks ago.
"The finality of it is just incomprehensible," he said.
Fellow band-mate Kian Egan (29) lost his father, Kevin, after a long battle with cancer in July of this year.
"When I lost my dad the idea of it was just heartbreaking and I said to the boys to make sure and take care of your dads," Kian said.
"And here we are and another of the band's dad is gone as well. It's obviously a very, very difficult thing.
"I don't think you ever get over it. You just accept it a little bit more as time goes on, rather than getting over it," he added.
Dad-of-two Nikki (31) said he doesn't fear death and was grateful that his dad wasn't in pain before he passed away.
Sick
"I'm not afraid to die. I'm too young to die," he said. "My dad always said he never wanted to be sick.
"At any funeral we were at he would say to enjoy life because as quick as you are here, you are gone. The fans have been so good with the letters and the cards," Nicky added.
The group revealed that the song I'll See You Again, which appears on their new album Where We Are, has a special significance to them.
"It's a really moving track but uplifting," Nicky said. "Even though it is about death and someone going, it's about seeing them again and them always walking beside you. It is a message of hope."
Source:Herald.ie
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Track by Track - 'Sound Of A Broken Heart'
Watch the lads talking about 'Sound Of A Broken Heart', in the Westlife.com mediaplayer. There's also a little preview of the song.
click here to watch track by track - sound of a broken heart
Credits: westlife.com
click here to watch track by track - sound of a broken heart
Credits: westlife.com
Track by Track - 'No More Heroes'
Watch the lads talking about 'No More Heroes', in the Westlife.com mediaplayer. There's also a little preview of the song.
click here to watch track by track - no more heroes
Credits: westlife.com
click here to watch track by track - no more heroes
Credits: westlife.com
Track by Track - 'Another World'
Watch the lads talking about 'Another World', in the Westlife.com mediaplayer. There's also a little preview of the song.
click here to watch track by track - another world
Credits: westlife.com
click here to watch track by track - another world
Credits: westlife.com
Where We Are' lyrics available
With Westlife's brand new album 'Where We Are' released on Monday, we've added the lyrics to every track on the album to the lyrics section!
Check them out here and remember to comment about your favourites!
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Check them out here and remember to comment about your favourites!
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Westlife - 'Where We Are' BBC Review
Album. Released 30 November 2009
The boyband’s seventh album of originals sets its sights on the US market.
Mike Diver
Despite their amazing UK sales, Westlife have never conquered the American market. So what, you might think. Who cares about flogging a few more albums in the States? Clearly the powers that be behind the Irish quartet do.
Where We Are sees Louis Walsh’s charges working with a host of writers with plenty of experience in the US charts. Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, who also contributed to Leona Lewis’ Echo, delivers Shadows. It’s a blustery ballad, and a much edgier arrangement than many of Westlife’s previous hits. That it still features a trademark key change, aka The Moment They Get Off Their Stools, rather lessens its effectiveness, but you’ve got to give the fans what they want.
Which, mostly, Where We Are does. Nobody buys Westlife records for the radical progressions contained within; their albums disappear from the shelves because they’re a safe bet. In 11 years their style has barely changed, and it’s this consistency, more than anything else, that’s been the cornerstone of their success. Gently swaying numbers like Talk Me Down and As Love is My Witness, the latter penned by 1990s flash-in-the-pan Conner Reeves, are aural potpourri, pleasant at a distance but distinctly unpalatable up close. And that’s fine, it’s to be expected.
But there are surprises on this disc. US producer Scott Cutler generates a little heat with The Difference, where the percussion rises like an arena-filling Coldplay anthem. Lead single What About Now – originally released by Daughtry and written by Ben Moody, formerly of Evanescence – is similarly indie-influenced, with guitar high in the mix. It’s every bit as immediate as Take That’s comeback material, and will have fingers tapping on steering wheels in earnest during drive time plays. Steve Booker, who recorded alongside George Clinton in the 1970s, contributes Another World, which is this album’s soulful highlight.
Yet the songs never stray too far from safety. Closer I’ll See You Again is typical torch song fare, executed with the efficiency fans have come to expect, and several others stick to a formula that’s served Westlife well, but does now sound dated. The best tracks could see them stir interest in the US like never before, but they’ll need to go for broke stylistically next time if attentions are to be retained. And it can’t hurt to try – if it’s got Westlife written on it, it’ll sell splendidly across these isles whatever the product.
Credit/Source: bbc.co.uk
The boyband’s seventh album of originals sets its sights on the US market.
Mike Diver
Despite their amazing UK sales, Westlife have never conquered the American market. So what, you might think. Who cares about flogging a few more albums in the States? Clearly the powers that be behind the Irish quartet do.
Where We Are sees Louis Walsh’s charges working with a host of writers with plenty of experience in the US charts. Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, who also contributed to Leona Lewis’ Echo, delivers Shadows. It’s a blustery ballad, and a much edgier arrangement than many of Westlife’s previous hits. That it still features a trademark key change, aka The Moment They Get Off Their Stools, rather lessens its effectiveness, but you’ve got to give the fans what they want.
Which, mostly, Where We Are does. Nobody buys Westlife records for the radical progressions contained within; their albums disappear from the shelves because they’re a safe bet. In 11 years their style has barely changed, and it’s this consistency, more than anything else, that’s been the cornerstone of their success. Gently swaying numbers like Talk Me Down and As Love is My Witness, the latter penned by 1990s flash-in-the-pan Conner Reeves, are aural potpourri, pleasant at a distance but distinctly unpalatable up close. And that’s fine, it’s to be expected.
But there are surprises on this disc. US producer Scott Cutler generates a little heat with The Difference, where the percussion rises like an arena-filling Coldplay anthem. Lead single What About Now – originally released by Daughtry and written by Ben Moody, formerly of Evanescence – is similarly indie-influenced, with guitar high in the mix. It’s every bit as immediate as Take That’s comeback material, and will have fingers tapping on steering wheels in earnest during drive time plays. Steve Booker, who recorded alongside George Clinton in the 1970s, contributes Another World, which is this album’s soulful highlight.
Yet the songs never stray too far from safety. Closer I’ll See You Again is typical torch song fare, executed with the efficiency fans have come to expect, and several others stick to a formula that’s served Westlife well, but does now sound dated. The best tracks could see them stir interest in the US like never before, but they’ll need to go for broke stylistically next time if attentions are to be retained. And it can’t hurt to try – if it’s got Westlife written on it, it’ll sell splendidly across these isles whatever the product.
Credit/Source: bbc.co.uk
Westlife - Where We Are review
Tracklisting: 1. What About Now 2. How To Break A Heart 3. Leaving 4. Shadows 5. Talk Me Down 6. Where We Are 7. The Difference 8. As Love Is My Witness 9. Another World 10. No More Heroes 11. Sound Of A Broken Heart 12. Reach Out 13. I'll See You Again
Record Company: Sony Music
Release Date: Monday 30th November 2009
Buy it now:
Westlife they have been around for quite a while now haven’t they? Impressively they managed to become one of the biggest selling boybands around (there being a lack of boybands lately) with their first seven singles going straight to number 1 there is no disputing that these guys are not just posers but also talented. After a well deserved break Westlife are back with their brand new album Where We Are. What did we think?
First track is current single What About Now one of the best tracks on the album we have to say. With its dramatic piano opening and Filan’s angelic voice serenading us it is clear why Westlife chose this as their lead single. Perfect for the festive season What About Now has some of that optimism that we all need after a long year.
How To Break A Heart is our little guilty pleasure. It’s cheesy yes but it has one of the catchiest chorus’ ever and we can’t stop singing those haha’s every time we reach the chorus.
All of sudden we realise that there is a pattern with most Westlife songs they always start off humbly and finish off in the most grandiose way. Harmonies now that is something these guys know how to do. Looks like ten years of practice has perfected their talent.
Sound Of A Broken Heart has that Westlife trademark sound think If I let You Go. It’s not great (as in we’ve heard this song before) but it will probably appeal to all the Westlifers out there.
Reach Out is another classic Westlife. This one is all about the harmonies and the chorus is extremely catchy and will probably get stuck in your head for a few hours once you are done listening to it. It’s good and especially when we reach the peak of the song.
Highlights on the album include Talk Me Down the only tame song on the album and it’s actually quite refreshing. Feehily is accompanied by piano and sounds painfully sad. Its simple stuff and we love it especially when it reaches its peak. The title track of the album Where We Are is by far the best track on the album and is without a shadow of a doubt a hit waiting to be unleashed. Most infectious melodies and harmonies we have heard in long time.
Westlife have almost accomplished the impossible by overcoming the death of boyband era and losing one of their members and yet getting bigger and bigger over the years. It seems that as long as you can sing and you have stage presence (and look good) there is nothing there to stop you. The album boasts some excellent pop songs/ballads and it’s only a shame that the last few tracks aren’t as catchy. Where We Are is the best we have heard from Westlife in years granted we are not the biggest connoisseurs in the matter but that’s our opinion.
Credit/Source: www.entertainment-focus.com
Record Company: Sony Music
Release Date: Monday 30th November 2009
Buy it now:
Westlife they have been around for quite a while now haven’t they? Impressively they managed to become one of the biggest selling boybands around (there being a lack of boybands lately) with their first seven singles going straight to number 1 there is no disputing that these guys are not just posers but also talented. After a well deserved break Westlife are back with their brand new album Where We Are. What did we think?
First track is current single What About Now one of the best tracks on the album we have to say. With its dramatic piano opening and Filan’s angelic voice serenading us it is clear why Westlife chose this as their lead single. Perfect for the festive season What About Now has some of that optimism that we all need after a long year.
How To Break A Heart is our little guilty pleasure. It’s cheesy yes but it has one of the catchiest chorus’ ever and we can’t stop singing those haha’s every time we reach the chorus.
All of sudden we realise that there is a pattern with most Westlife songs they always start off humbly and finish off in the most grandiose way. Harmonies now that is something these guys know how to do. Looks like ten years of practice has perfected their talent.
Sound Of A Broken Heart has that Westlife trademark sound think If I let You Go. It’s not great (as in we’ve heard this song before) but it will probably appeal to all the Westlifers out there.
Reach Out is another classic Westlife. This one is all about the harmonies and the chorus is extremely catchy and will probably get stuck in your head for a few hours once you are done listening to it. It’s good and especially when we reach the peak of the song.
Highlights on the album include Talk Me Down the only tame song on the album and it’s actually quite refreshing. Feehily is accompanied by piano and sounds painfully sad. Its simple stuff and we love it especially when it reaches its peak. The title track of the album Where We Are is by far the best track on the album and is without a shadow of a doubt a hit waiting to be unleashed. Most infectious melodies and harmonies we have heard in long time.
Westlife have almost accomplished the impossible by overcoming the death of boyband era and losing one of their members and yet getting bigger and bigger over the years. It seems that as long as you can sing and you have stage presence (and look good) there is nothing there to stop you. The album boasts some excellent pop songs/ballads and it’s only a shame that the last few tracks aren’t as catchy. Where We Are is the best we have heard from Westlife in years granted we are not the biggest connoisseurs in the matter but that’s our opinion.
Credit/Source: www.entertainment-focus.com
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Westlife At Jingle Bell Ball
Westlife have been added to the all-star line-up for Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball on Saturday 5th December!
Tickets are sold out, but you can still get your hands on some by entering the prize draw over on the official website.
Credit:Westlife.com
Tickets are sold out, but you can still get your hands on some by entering the prize draw over on the official website.
Credit:Westlife.com
Welcome Back Westlife! 2nd Week Winners Announced
To celebrate Westlife's return we challenged all of you to get creative. lots of you submitted pictures, videos, poems and creative writing about why they have been looking forward to the boy's comeback. The response has been phenomenal and we've really enjoyed looking at all the entries.
We have hand picked our favourites for the lads to look at and Westlife have written comments about each one!
This week we can reveal the four winners of the Westlife-inspired art challenge. Here are our favourite four!
See more here
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
We have hand picked our favourites for the lads to look at and Westlife have written comments about each one!
This week we can reveal the four winners of the Westlife-inspired art challenge. Here are our favourite four!
See more here
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Westlife TV appearances
Over the next few weeks you'll be able to catch Westlife on your TV, so make sure you tune in on the following dates...
Wednesday 25th November - BBC Breakfast News interview with Mark and Kian
Thursday 26th November - Interview on Alan Carr, Chatty Man
Friday 27th November - Late Late Toy Show performance
Friday 4th December - Interview and performance on the Paul O'Grady show
Tuesday 15th December - Performance on the Alan Titchmarsh Show
Friday 18th December - Westlife's GMTV takeover
Enjoy and remember to tune in bright and early tomorrow morning to watch an interview with Mark and Kian on the BBC Breakfast news!
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Wednesday 25th November - BBC Breakfast News interview with Mark and Kian
Thursday 26th November - Interview on Alan Carr, Chatty Man
Friday 27th November - Late Late Toy Show performance
Friday 4th December - Interview and performance on the Paul O'Grady show
Tuesday 15th December - Performance on the Alan Titchmarsh Show
Friday 18th December - Westlife's GMTV takeover
Enjoy and remember to tune in bright and early tomorrow morning to watch an interview with Mark and Kian on the BBC Breakfast news!
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Westlife Interview & Picture In Now Magazine
Westlife tell Denise Van Outen who's getting their X Factor vote and how Louis fired them - twice!
When Now's celeb interviewer, newly pregnant Denise Van Outen, catches up with Westlife at the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour hotel, they're so excited about their new album Where We Are that it's hard for her to get a word in. Still best mates after 11 years in the business, the boys - Nicky Byrne, 31, Kian Egan, 29, Mark Feehily, 29 and Shane Filan, 30 - reveal that the hotel was a home away from home when they started out.
'Michael Caine's got the penthouse over there and Robbie Williams bought a flat there, but I don't think he moved in,' says Mark, pointing to a posh block of flats. The boys spend the interview pinching each other's food, with Kian barely blinking as Nicky dips pesto chicken into his pasta sauce while they open up about the secret of their success...
Denise: Hello boys! I'm a big fan and I took my mum to your concert at the O2. There were four women sat behind us wearing feather boas, but they were in their fifties...
Shane: You don't want to just have screaming kids. Women like to let their hair down when they come to see Westlife!
Do you feel you've been around so long that you're respected now?
S: Yes, I think we are - purely because of success, though, not musically.
Kian: The NME are never going to give us five stars, are they?
Well, Now readers love you - and so do I! Tell me, have you ever had cross words with Simon Cowell since he signed you at the start?
K: Yeah, we've had our moments over the years. With anything creative, like videos and styling, there are always going to be disputes. It's a real relationship - it's not like we bow down and do everything he says.
When you watch the X Factor, do you ever worry about other bands stealing your crown?
K: No, it's great to see the success of JLS. There'll always be boy bands out there.
Who has the biggest ego in the band?
S: I don't think any of us has any major ego.
Who causes trouble, then?
Nicky: We all do. No, actually I'd say Kian. ha!
K: There have been periods over the years where one of us has maybe stood out a little bit more than everyone else, but I think, over time, everyone causes a bit of trouble. Everyone's professional one day and then maybe a bit unprofessional the next day...
S: I think we can all be little bitches when we really want to be!
Yeah, sometimes guys can be a lot worse than girls! Nicky and Shane, you're both dads now (Nicky has twins Rocco and Jay, two, and Shane has daughter Nicole, four, and 14-month-old son Patrick). Is it hard finding time to see your kids?
S: It is, but you make time. You still work and do your stuff, but your child's your priority.
Kian, you got married (to actress Jodi Albert) six months ago. Are you planning on having children together any time soon?
K: Of course I want children. I just don't feel like I'm ready at all. I'm still too selfish.
N: It's like you're shell-shocked when it happens. Then they get to a certain age and it's just like a new thing every day. My little lad came home today and went: 'Hello, Daddy - buenos dias!' and in my head I was like 'F*** me, that's mad!' It's silly little things.
K: Yeah, but I think Jodi wants to be a little bit older when she has kids.
How old is she now?
K: She's 26. But everyone's different. I'm far too selfish to have kids now - all I'm concerned about is what I'm going to do with my time off.
How about you, Mark?
Mark: I think in the future, definitely. I mean, I really love kids.
You are all in solid relationships, aren't you?
S: Yeah, we're all grounded. Louis Walsh (their manager) has always kept us grounded, too.
What's the worst phone call he's ever had to make you?
S: Well, he's fired us twice!
Really?!
S: He thought we were being arrogant little rock stars and said: 'Look, I can't deal with you.' Two years later same sort of thing happened again - he just got a vibe that we were getting a little bit big for our boots. We were all genuinely devastated. I was crying.
K: That's because you'd just taken out a mortgage. Ha!
S: Yeah, I'd just started building a house. Awful.
Would you ever do a musical based on Westlife, like the Take That one?
S: I haven't seen it, is it any good?
You could tell your own story...
S: Yeah, we could do it like that movie with Tom Hanks called That Thing You Do - have it start off with some actors in Ireland, then have some people play Louis and Simon.
Who'd play Louis, then?
K: Actually, you know that guy out of The Office? The one who was in that film Love Actually as well?
Martin Freeman? Do you think he could play Louis?
M: Oh, I thought you meant David Brent [Ricky Gervais] from The Office!
Are you following the X Factor?
K: Yeah, we watch it every week. We're no different to anyone else.
I can't take it seriously with Jedward!
S: Their Vanilla Ice was really good! Theyre entertaining and people are definitely warming to them a lot more now.
N: If you look at who's left in the contest, who would actually sell the most albums? They would.
Why don't you get Jedward to support you on tour?
S: They'll be playing arenas!
When Louis first put them through, I was screaming at the TV screen, saying: 'Are you mad? Did any of you guys call him up about it?
K: Yeah. I said 'You've been critisised for your judgments int he past, Louis - you're only going to make it harder for yourself now!' He just has this peculiar way of picking weird acts.
S: Best of luck to them!
So you like Jedward to win? I'd like to get this on record...
K: I'd like them to win. There's no Leona Lewis, so you might as well have someone like them win. Sure, they don't have the best voices...
S: They need a Saturday Morning TV show.
N: I like Jedward as a package.
M: I like Joe McElderry and Stacey Solomon. Lucie Jones was a very strong singer, but some people don't connect as well with the audience.
S: I think Jedward could be like an Irish version of the Olsen twins, Marie-Kate and Ashley! They could have their own TV show...
N: They don't really realise how famous they've become. They come out with such random stuff - like when we met them at the X Factor studios they said to me: 'Nicky, I met you outside the hotel in Dublin in the summer. I was in my school uniform.' They're so random!
Will you vote for them if they make it to the final?
S: Yeah, definitely!
Do you think that they could sell 40 million albums worldwide?
K: Maybe not at first, but people said that about High School Musical. You never know...
ON KIDS...
Now that I'm four months pregnant, what tips would you give my husband Lee on looking after me?
S: He should be pampering you, buying you presents and massaging everything!
N: He should learn to say yes to everything, no matter what you say.
I'm 35 and I've done pretty much all I wanted to, but when I found out I was expecting, I panicked...
S: Of course you do. It's amazing, but it's a big challenge. You only really start working hard once you've had children.
ON STEPHEN...
You knew Boyzone's Stephen Gately through Louis and Ronan Keating...
S: We looked up to Stephen - it's such a tragedy. It's been a very hard few months. Kian's dad died three months ago and Nicky's dad died two weeks ago.
Is Louis ok? He was very affected by it.
K: In the same way that me and Nicky won't really understand how our mums feel now our dads are gone. It makes you question everything. It's a very strange feeling when someone close to you dies.
Westlife's new album Where We Are is out on 30 November.
Source: Now magazine
Credit:Westlife.gr
When Now's celeb interviewer, newly pregnant Denise Van Outen, catches up with Westlife at the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour hotel, they're so excited about their new album Where We Are that it's hard for her to get a word in. Still best mates after 11 years in the business, the boys - Nicky Byrne, 31, Kian Egan, 29, Mark Feehily, 29 and Shane Filan, 30 - reveal that the hotel was a home away from home when they started out.
'Michael Caine's got the penthouse over there and Robbie Williams bought a flat there, but I don't think he moved in,' says Mark, pointing to a posh block of flats. The boys spend the interview pinching each other's food, with Kian barely blinking as Nicky dips pesto chicken into his pasta sauce while they open up about the secret of their success...
Denise: Hello boys! I'm a big fan and I took my mum to your concert at the O2. There were four women sat behind us wearing feather boas, but they were in their fifties...
Shane: You don't want to just have screaming kids. Women like to let their hair down when they come to see Westlife!
Do you feel you've been around so long that you're respected now?
S: Yes, I think we are - purely because of success, though, not musically.
Kian: The NME are never going to give us five stars, are they?
Well, Now readers love you - and so do I! Tell me, have you ever had cross words with Simon Cowell since he signed you at the start?
K: Yeah, we've had our moments over the years. With anything creative, like videos and styling, there are always going to be disputes. It's a real relationship - it's not like we bow down and do everything he says.
When you watch the X Factor, do you ever worry about other bands stealing your crown?
K: No, it's great to see the success of JLS. There'll always be boy bands out there.
Who has the biggest ego in the band?
S: I don't think any of us has any major ego.
Who causes trouble, then?
Nicky: We all do. No, actually I'd say Kian. ha!
K: There have been periods over the years where one of us has maybe stood out a little bit more than everyone else, but I think, over time, everyone causes a bit of trouble. Everyone's professional one day and then maybe a bit unprofessional the next day...
S: I think we can all be little bitches when we really want to be!
Yeah, sometimes guys can be a lot worse than girls! Nicky and Shane, you're both dads now (Nicky has twins Rocco and Jay, two, and Shane has daughter Nicole, four, and 14-month-old son Patrick). Is it hard finding time to see your kids?
S: It is, but you make time. You still work and do your stuff, but your child's your priority.
Kian, you got married (to actress Jodi Albert) six months ago. Are you planning on having children together any time soon?
K: Of course I want children. I just don't feel like I'm ready at all. I'm still too selfish.
N: It's like you're shell-shocked when it happens. Then they get to a certain age and it's just like a new thing every day. My little lad came home today and went: 'Hello, Daddy - buenos dias!' and in my head I was like 'F*** me, that's mad!' It's silly little things.
K: Yeah, but I think Jodi wants to be a little bit older when she has kids.
How old is she now?
K: She's 26. But everyone's different. I'm far too selfish to have kids now - all I'm concerned about is what I'm going to do with my time off.
How about you, Mark?
Mark: I think in the future, definitely. I mean, I really love kids.
You are all in solid relationships, aren't you?
S: Yeah, we're all grounded. Louis Walsh (their manager) has always kept us grounded, too.
What's the worst phone call he's ever had to make you?
S: Well, he's fired us twice!
Really?!
S: He thought we were being arrogant little rock stars and said: 'Look, I can't deal with you.' Two years later same sort of thing happened again - he just got a vibe that we were getting a little bit big for our boots. We were all genuinely devastated. I was crying.
K: That's because you'd just taken out a mortgage. Ha!
S: Yeah, I'd just started building a house. Awful.
Would you ever do a musical based on Westlife, like the Take That one?
S: I haven't seen it, is it any good?
You could tell your own story...
S: Yeah, we could do it like that movie with Tom Hanks called That Thing You Do - have it start off with some actors in Ireland, then have some people play Louis and Simon.
Who'd play Louis, then?
K: Actually, you know that guy out of The Office? The one who was in that film Love Actually as well?
Martin Freeman? Do you think he could play Louis?
M: Oh, I thought you meant David Brent [Ricky Gervais] from The Office!
Are you following the X Factor?
K: Yeah, we watch it every week. We're no different to anyone else.
I can't take it seriously with Jedward!
S: Their Vanilla Ice was really good! Theyre entertaining and people are definitely warming to them a lot more now.
N: If you look at who's left in the contest, who would actually sell the most albums? They would.
Why don't you get Jedward to support you on tour?
S: They'll be playing arenas!
When Louis first put them through, I was screaming at the TV screen, saying: 'Are you mad? Did any of you guys call him up about it?
K: Yeah. I said 'You've been critisised for your judgments int he past, Louis - you're only going to make it harder for yourself now!' He just has this peculiar way of picking weird acts.
S: Best of luck to them!
So you like Jedward to win? I'd like to get this on record...
K: I'd like them to win. There's no Leona Lewis, so you might as well have someone like them win. Sure, they don't have the best voices...
S: They need a Saturday Morning TV show.
N: I like Jedward as a package.
M: I like Joe McElderry and Stacey Solomon. Lucie Jones was a very strong singer, but some people don't connect as well with the audience.
S: I think Jedward could be like an Irish version of the Olsen twins, Marie-Kate and Ashley! They could have their own TV show...
N: They don't really realise how famous they've become. They come out with such random stuff - like when we met them at the X Factor studios they said to me: 'Nicky, I met you outside the hotel in Dublin in the summer. I was in my school uniform.' They're so random!
Will you vote for them if they make it to the final?
S: Yeah, definitely!
Do you think that they could sell 40 million albums worldwide?
K: Maybe not at first, but people said that about High School Musical. You never know...
ON KIDS...
Now that I'm four months pregnant, what tips would you give my husband Lee on looking after me?
S: He should be pampering you, buying you presents and massaging everything!
N: He should learn to say yes to everything, no matter what you say.
I'm 35 and I've done pretty much all I wanted to, but when I found out I was expecting, I panicked...
S: Of course you do. It's amazing, but it's a big challenge. You only really start working hard once you've had children.
ON STEPHEN...
You knew Boyzone's Stephen Gately through Louis and Ronan Keating...
S: We looked up to Stephen - it's such a tragedy. It's been a very hard few months. Kian's dad died three months ago and Nicky's dad died two weeks ago.
Is Louis ok? He was very affected by it.
K: In the same way that me and Nicky won't really understand how our mums feel now our dads are gone. It makes you question everything. It's a very strange feeling when someone close to you dies.
Westlife's new album Where We Are is out on 30 November.
Source: Now magazine
Credit:Westlife.gr
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Westlife: Where We Are
Forty million records sales under their belts and Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan are not slowing down. Better known as Westlife, these Irish boys are set to release their seventh studio album on 30 November 2009.
Appropriately named Where We Are, the album features some of pop's finest craftsmen including Grammy nominated Ryan Tedder, Steve Robson, Steve Booker, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with the band's Mark Feehily.
Spending much of this year tucked away in studios across Europe and the United States, the band says this album is their most exciting to date.
The top-notched production teams of Tedder and company have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, while still retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Filan says, “We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After 11 years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story.”
Among the new sounds of the album is Shadows, co-written by Backstreet Boy A.J. Mclean, a classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife up-to-date on the eve of a new decade.
Credit/Source: www.star-ecentral.com
Appropriately named Where We Are, the album features some of pop's finest craftsmen including Grammy nominated Ryan Tedder, Steve Robson, Steve Booker, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with the band's Mark Feehily.
Spending much of this year tucked away in studios across Europe and the United States, the band says this album is their most exciting to date.
The top-notched production teams of Tedder and company have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, while still retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Filan says, “We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After 11 years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story.”
Among the new sounds of the album is Shadows, co-written by Backstreet Boy A.J. Mclean, a classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife up-to-date on the eve of a new decade.
Credit/Source: www.star-ecentral.com
Track By Track - 'As Love Is My Witness'
'Where We Are' album Track by Track - 'As Love Is My Witness'
WATCH IT ONLINE ON WESTLIFE.COM'S PLAYER
DOWNLOAD IT ON YOUR PC
WATCH IT ONLINE ON WESTLIFE.COM'S PLAYER
DOWNLOAD IT ON YOUR PC
Track By Track - 'The Difference'
'Where We Are' album Track by Track - 'The Difference'
WATCH IT ONLINE ON WESTLIFE.COM'S PLAYER
DOWNLOAD IT ON YOUR PC
WATCH IT ONLINE ON WESTLIFE.COM'S PLAYER
DOWNLOAD IT ON YOUR PC
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Track by Track - 'Talk Me Down'
Watch the lads talking about 'Track Me Down', in the Westlife.com mediaplayer. There's also a little preview of the song.
click here to watch track by track - track me down
Credits: westlife.com
click here to watch track by track - track me down
Credits: westlife.com
Welcome Back Westlife! 1st Week Winners Announced
A few weeks ago, we challenged to to get creative to celebrate Westlife’s return. Absolutely loads of fans submitted pictures, videos, poems and creative writing about why you’ve been looking forward to the lads’ comeback, and we’ve really enjoyed looking through them all.
It’s been a tough choice, but a handful of our favourites from each category have been picked – and Westlife have written comments about each one!
We’ll be revealing the winners over the next few days. First up, here are the winners for the first challenge, who wrote in 150 words or less why they’re excited about the band’s return.
Amazing vocals,
Beautiful ballads,
Completely Irresistible,
Dashing good looks,
Even better with four,
Fabulous,
Great performers,
Hilarious in interviews,
Irish!
Just great,
Kian,
Lovely lads,
Mark,
Nicky,
Obvious charm,
Perfect,
Quick thinking,
Really good in Croke Park,
Shane,
Totally gorgeous,
Unbelievably talented,
Very nice to fans,
Wonderful with mics,
Xtremely good albums
Young and fit,
Zealous and zesty
Sarah McAvinchey
Nicky says: Hey Sarah, I love the creativity of this, and the fact that you obviously spent a lot of time on it (and even managed to come up with something for Z!!). It’s really great.
I can't wait to see them live on stage, OBVIOUSLY I’m gonna be there, it’s been a long time, and they just sound AMAZING. I listen to the CD's and it feels like WE HAVE A WORLD OF OUR OWN. I get a lot of stick from people because I like you and I just say HEY WHATEVER, then I TURNAROUND and walk away. I would love to meet you FACE TO FACE, it would just RAISE ME UP.
Nicky Coulter
Shane Says: I really like your entry Nicky, you’ve done a fantastic job. Always nice to have a plug for our back catalogue!
Wow it’s been a long year! I’m looking forward to Westlife’s return because music hasn’t been the same without them. I’ve missed the excitement of running to the nearest music store to be the first to get their album, I’ve missed the feeling of chanting Westlife’s name along with all the other fans on tour. And the excitement of counting each day down until that day finally arrives when you get to go to see the guys live. I’ve missed how entertaining Westlife are to their fans to, I remember the atmosphere of Croke Park is was out of this world, you could feel the dedication of everyone there, it truly felt Amazing. But best of all now the guys are back I get to see their faces again which I’ve missed a lot, welcome back guys! “10 More years”
Danielle Candy
Mark says: Croke Park was one of the most amazing moments of our career, so I loved your entry. We’ve missed you all too!
“The sound of the crowd…so far away…” Every time I listen to a Westlife song everything else just seems to fade away and in that four minute time span everything is right with the world. I am looking forward to the band’s return because I want to hear some fresh and new music! The music means so much to me because their songs have become home. There was a time not too long ago when I was away from my family and I started to feel a little down and home sick. I wanted nothing more than to go home and see my family’s smiling faces, but instead all I had was my ipod. When I turned it on and let Westlife’s songs fill my head; I felt at home. For a couple minutes I was back where I belonged; Westlife has become part of my family.
Jennifer Ackner
Kian says: It’s always great to hear that our music has had an effect on people, so we loved reading your entry.
Credit:Westlife.com
It’s been a tough choice, but a handful of our favourites from each category have been picked – and Westlife have written comments about each one!
We’ll be revealing the winners over the next few days. First up, here are the winners for the first challenge, who wrote in 150 words or less why they’re excited about the band’s return.
Amazing vocals,
Beautiful ballads,
Completely Irresistible,
Dashing good looks,
Even better with four,
Fabulous,
Great performers,
Hilarious in interviews,
Irish!
Just great,
Kian,
Lovely lads,
Mark,
Nicky,
Obvious charm,
Perfect,
Quick thinking,
Really good in Croke Park,
Shane,
Totally gorgeous,
Unbelievably talented,
Very nice to fans,
Wonderful with mics,
Xtremely good albums
Young and fit,
Zealous and zesty
Sarah McAvinchey
Nicky says: Hey Sarah, I love the creativity of this, and the fact that you obviously spent a lot of time on it (and even managed to come up with something for Z!!). It’s really great.
I can't wait to see them live on stage, OBVIOUSLY I’m gonna be there, it’s been a long time, and they just sound AMAZING. I listen to the CD's and it feels like WE HAVE A WORLD OF OUR OWN. I get a lot of stick from people because I like you and I just say HEY WHATEVER, then I TURNAROUND and walk away. I would love to meet you FACE TO FACE, it would just RAISE ME UP.
Nicky Coulter
Shane Says: I really like your entry Nicky, you’ve done a fantastic job. Always nice to have a plug for our back catalogue!
Wow it’s been a long year! I’m looking forward to Westlife’s return because music hasn’t been the same without them. I’ve missed the excitement of running to the nearest music store to be the first to get their album, I’ve missed the feeling of chanting Westlife’s name along with all the other fans on tour. And the excitement of counting each day down until that day finally arrives when you get to go to see the guys live. I’ve missed how entertaining Westlife are to their fans to, I remember the atmosphere of Croke Park is was out of this world, you could feel the dedication of everyone there, it truly felt Amazing. But best of all now the guys are back I get to see their faces again which I’ve missed a lot, welcome back guys! “10 More years”
Danielle Candy
Mark says: Croke Park was one of the most amazing moments of our career, so I loved your entry. We’ve missed you all too!
“The sound of the crowd…so far away…” Every time I listen to a Westlife song everything else just seems to fade away and in that four minute time span everything is right with the world. I am looking forward to the band’s return because I want to hear some fresh and new music! The music means so much to me because their songs have become home. There was a time not too long ago when I was away from my family and I started to feel a little down and home sick. I wanted nothing more than to go home and see my family’s smiling faces, but instead all I had was my ipod. When I turned it on and let Westlife’s songs fill my head; I felt at home. For a couple minutes I was back where I belonged; Westlife has become part of my family.
Jennifer Ackner
Kian says: It’s always great to hear that our music has had an effect on people, so we loved reading your entry.
Credit:Westlife.com
Shane's New Blog
Check out Shane's latest blog update!
"Hi guys...
Album release is so close now..we're so excited about it! We're in Dublin right now, turned on the Christmas lights last night, can't believe it's nearly Christmas already! Tonight we are headlining at the Childline gig at Dublin's o2..our first proper gig since Croke Park, can't wait!
Hope you are all well..and hope Ireland beat France tonight..!
See you all soon...
Love Shane xxx"
Credit:Westlife.com
"Hi guys...
Album release is so close now..we're so excited about it! We're in Dublin right now, turned on the Christmas lights last night, can't believe it's nearly Christmas already! Tonight we are headlining at the Childline gig at Dublin's o2..our first proper gig since Croke Park, can't wait!
Hope you are all well..and hope Ireland beat France tonight..!
See you all soon...
Love Shane xxx"
Credit:Westlife.com
Westlife Headlining Childline
On Wednesday 18th November, Westlife will be headlining the Childline concert, taking place at Dublin 02. The boys are really looking forward to appearing at this incredibly special event, so you can look forward to some very exciting performances. The show will be broadcast on TV3 on Saturday night.
And get set for their appearance on Children In Need on 20th November. Be glued to your TV set at 9pm!
Credit:Westlife.com
And get set for their appearance on Children In Need on 20th November. Be glued to your TV set at 9pm!
Credit:Westlife.com
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Track by track-Shadows
Watch the lads talking about Shadows, in the Westlife.com mediaplayer. There's also a little preview of the song.
click here to watch track by track - shadows
Credits: westlife.com
click here to watch track by track - shadows
Credits: westlife.com
Westlife to switch on Christmas lights
Weslife, who will switch on the Christmas lights in Grafton Street this evening, have dedicated their new album to the fathers of Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne who died this year.
Egan (29), who lost his father Kevin in July to cancer, said 2009 had been an “extremely tough year” for the band. His wife Jodi Albert also suffered a bereavement when her grandfather died.
Nicky Byrne's father Nicky snr (60) died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month. The death of Boyzone's Stephen Gately also affected Westlife as both bands are close.
The album sleeve for Where We Are was due to go to the printers on the day that Byrne's father died.
Egan said: “The day Nicky's father died, a girl from the record label rang me and said, 'we have enough time to put Nicky's father on the dedication if he would like that'.
“We rang Nicky reluctantly because it was all so sudden for him. Luckily we had enough time. It would have felt wrong if the album was only dedicated to my father.”
Mr Egan, a father of seven, died in July after a year long battle with cancer. Pictures of him and Mr Byrne will be on the inside cover the album.
“We never had to deal with death ever as young adults. This year it seems that we have to deal with a lot of it. It makes you question what life is all about,” his son said.
“It has been a very strange and difficult year for us. I had not been to a funeral since I was a child when I think about it. All of a sudden in the last six months we have been to four funerals, two of them being parents of Westlife.”
The new album includes a song "I'll See You Again" about death.
“The first time I heard it, it nearly broke my heart, but then as I kept listening to it, I thought that it really fits. Anybody in the world who hears this song will see that it really means
something for anybody who was lost somebody. It will really touch them emotionally,” Egan explained.
Egan said criticisms that Westlife had played it safe by covering well-known songs such as Bette Midler’s "The Rose" and Michael Bublé’s "Home" were valid and the new album marks a departure from that with 11 original songs out of 12, mostly written by American songwriters.
It features only one cover, "What About Now", a song by the American group Daughtry which is the first Westlife single from the new album.
“Looking back, we had one too many well-known cover songs, Egan said.
“If we'd gone out there singing songs like 'The Rose' and Michael Buble's 'Home' for the rest of their career, we would not enjoy it as much.”
The album also features a rare self-penned Westlife track "Reach Out". It is co-written by band member Mark Feehily.
“We went through a phase in the early part of our career where we did want to write our own songs and we did, but they were crap in comparison with all the other great songs that we had,” Egan said.
“If we wanted to write the album ourselves, we could, but we know we're not naturally gifted songwriters. We know our strength is in singing the songs and performing them on stage.”
Credit:Irishtimes.com
Egan (29), who lost his father Kevin in July to cancer, said 2009 had been an “extremely tough year” for the band. His wife Jodi Albert also suffered a bereavement when her grandfather died.
Nicky Byrne's father Nicky snr (60) died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month. The death of Boyzone's Stephen Gately also affected Westlife as both bands are close.
The album sleeve for Where We Are was due to go to the printers on the day that Byrne's father died.
Egan said: “The day Nicky's father died, a girl from the record label rang me and said, 'we have enough time to put Nicky's father on the dedication if he would like that'.
“We rang Nicky reluctantly because it was all so sudden for him. Luckily we had enough time. It would have felt wrong if the album was only dedicated to my father.”
Mr Egan, a father of seven, died in July after a year long battle with cancer. Pictures of him and Mr Byrne will be on the inside cover the album.
“We never had to deal with death ever as young adults. This year it seems that we have to deal with a lot of it. It makes you question what life is all about,” his son said.
“It has been a very strange and difficult year for us. I had not been to a funeral since I was a child when I think about it. All of a sudden in the last six months we have been to four funerals, two of them being parents of Westlife.”
The new album includes a song "I'll See You Again" about death.
“The first time I heard it, it nearly broke my heart, but then as I kept listening to it, I thought that it really fits. Anybody in the world who hears this song will see that it really means
something for anybody who was lost somebody. It will really touch them emotionally,” Egan explained.
Egan said criticisms that Westlife had played it safe by covering well-known songs such as Bette Midler’s "The Rose" and Michael Bublé’s "Home" were valid and the new album marks a departure from that with 11 original songs out of 12, mostly written by American songwriters.
It features only one cover, "What About Now", a song by the American group Daughtry which is the first Westlife single from the new album.
“Looking back, we had one too many well-known cover songs, Egan said.
“If we'd gone out there singing songs like 'The Rose' and Michael Buble's 'Home' for the rest of their career, we would not enjoy it as much.”
The album also features a rare self-penned Westlife track "Reach Out". It is co-written by band member Mark Feehily.
“We went through a phase in the early part of our career where we did want to write our own songs and we did, but they were crap in comparison with all the other great songs that we had,” Egan said.
“If we wanted to write the album ourselves, we could, but we know we're not naturally gifted songwriters. We know our strength is in singing the songs and performing them on stage.”
Credit:Irishtimes.com
Monday, November 16, 2009
Westlife's scent of success
Westlife star Nicky Byrne is set to make a return to the limelight this week, following the death of his father, Nikki Sr (60).
The Dublin singer (30) will step out to the Four Seasons hotel in Dublin tomorrow afternoon, alongside bandmates Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Kian Egan, as the group officially launch their brand new fragrance, Westlife X.
The name of the scent relefects the group's ten years in the pop business.
The star, who is married to Georgina Ahern, daughter of former Taoiseach, Bertie, hopes to ease himself back into work slowly following the devastating loss of his dad.
Sligo native Mark said: "He's coping very well and is as good as you can be so soon after your best friend in the world passes away."
The popular foursome will make a return to the stage on Wednesday night when they perform at this year's Cheerio's Childline Concert at the O2.
Source:Herald.ie
The Dublin singer (30) will step out to the Four Seasons hotel in Dublin tomorrow afternoon, alongside bandmates Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Kian Egan, as the group officially launch their brand new fragrance, Westlife X.
The name of the scent relefects the group's ten years in the pop business.
The star, who is married to Georgina Ahern, daughter of former Taoiseach, Bertie, hopes to ease himself back into work slowly following the devastating loss of his dad.
Sligo native Mark said: "He's coping very well and is as good as you can be so soon after your best friend in the world passes away."
The popular foursome will make a return to the stage on Wednesday night when they perform at this year's Cheerio's Childline Concert at the O2.
Source:Herald.ie
Westlife back to promoting!!!!
Nicky:
back to work today..feels strange..thks for all your love and well wishes it means alot.. ,
Mark:
Long ass day rehersing&trying on clothes.Been good though,exciting planning the next week,Album Promo here we come! Home2 Ireland 2moro :)
I've decided,I want Anna Wintours job.Hmmm how am I gna swing that one,anyone hav any contacts in Vogue? Off for a full blown day of promo x
Credit/Source: twitter.com/nickybyrneoffic / twitter.com/markusfeehily
back to work today..feels strange..thks for all your love and well wishes it means alot.. ,
Mark:
Long ass day rehersing&trying on clothes.Been good though,exciting planning the next week,Album Promo here we come! Home2 Ireland 2moro :)
I've decided,I want Anna Wintours job.Hmmm how am I gna swing that one,anyone hav any contacts in Vogue? Off for a full blown day of promo x
Credit/Source: twitter.com/nickybyrneoffic / twitter.com/markusfeehily
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Track by Track - 'Leaving'
Watch the lads talking about 'Leaving', in the Westlife.com mediaplayer. There's also a little preview of the song.
click here to watch track by track - leaving
Credits: westlife.com
click here to watch track by track - leaving
Credits: westlife.com
Win Signed Copies of Where We Are!
Westlife have teamed up with music video site MUZU.TV to offer 10 signed CDs of their new album Where We Are. To be in with a chance of winning one, just watch the video for 'What About Now' on their official Westlife MUZU TV Channel and follow the simple instructions.
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Album Preview Poll
Now that you've checked out previews of all the tracks on Where We Are, we want to know which one you’re most excited about listening to in full!
Have your say in the Poll area.
Last time we asked you what you favourite thing about having Westlife back has been. In first place was anticipation of tour dates, followed by new music to own and seeing them on TV.
Credit:Westlife.com
Westlife Chat To I Like Music (Nicky Interview)
Formed in 1998, signed by Simon Cowell and managed by Louis Walsh, Irish boy band Westlife have gone on to become the biggest selling band of the decade (2000-2009). In the UK they tie with The Beatles for the most consecutive number ones, they've sold nearly 50 million records and now, they release their new album Where We Are.
I Like Music caught up with Nicky for a chat about their music! We find out the typical boy band process of making an album, how he's coped with super stardom, the best moments of his career so far, and why, after a year off, Westlife are feeling happier and more confident than ever before.
"I Like Music because… it's the food for life. It can take you from a dark place to a sunny bright place. Or it can take you from a sunny bright place to a dark place, if that's where you choose to go to. I think it's got everything. It's got body, it's got a pulse. It can make you dance, it makes you happy. Music is extremely special." NICKY, WESTLIFE.
ILM: Hello! How does it feel to be back with a new album?
Nicky: It's great to be back! We had a big break and it's just amazing to be back on the market, doing what we believe we do best! We took our time making this album, we're very proud of it. We believe we've come back with something special. I don't believe we would have come back so soon if we didn't have something like this, we would have waited. We've come back with what we believe to be the best album of our career.
ILM: Have you returned feeling refreshed after your time off?
Nicky: We took a year off back in June '08 for lots of different reasons. We'd done ten years straight! We all needed a bit of space, we needed to miss Westlife again. The time off gave us space to reflect on what it was, reflect on those ten years. We needed to work out how to improve. It was important for us to do that. I suppose if we made a list of ten things that needed to change and be re-modelled for our come back, I think we've ticked eight to nine of those boxes already.
ILM: What was at the top of that list? What was most important in terms of a Westlife come back?
Nicky: Changing the way our record label worked with Westlife. We wanted to be put in touch with different producers from around the world, we didn't want to just settle for the same old, same old. We really wanted to make it fresh and new again, which is what we've done! Having had those meetings with the label, we told Simon [Cowell] how we felt. We were so excited to hear that he felt the same. All of a sudden he was opening doors for us to work with some of the best producers in the world.
ILM: How was that experience? Working with new producers?
Nicky: Working with the guys from America was incredible. Simon opened up all the doors and introduced us to all these great producers and writers. We went out for lunch with them and told them what we wanted. They knew our history, but they needed to know our new vision, where we wanted to go with our music. Then they went away and wrote songs. We were in America for just over a month.
ILM: How did the new album come together?
Nicky: We'd meet three or four producers or writers in a morning. They would then go off and write, which could take a couple of days, a week or maybe just over. Then they'd call us up, we'd meet again and maybe demo something. We really became involved in the process.
ILM: Out of all the people you've worked with on the album, which have been some of the most inspiring?
Nicky: We worked with Ryan Tedder, the lead singer from OneRepublic who has written Apologize and Bleeding Love for Leona. Lots of big songs! He's a very talented man! He wrote two songs on this album. One called Where We Are and one called Shadows. He co-wrote one of them with AJ from the Backstreet Boys! There's a lot of variety on there! We feel fulfilled. We've done ourselves proud! Also, knowing that we haven't done it against the wishes of the record company makes a big difference. They actually came on board and are 1000% behind us.
ILM: Have there been times when you've felt a lack of control during the making of a record?
Nicky: It's changed over the years. With this album we took it back to basics. On our very first album, we were just getting started and it was far more leisurely. We flew to Sweden as a band, we all went in the studio together. We went back to London together, worked with some more guys. Everything was leisurely and we did it all together. Gradually, with success, things moved a million miles per hour. As a result, we didn't get the time to plan other albums in the same way. Rock bands do. They take the time out. But pop bands usually don't.
ILM: Why do you think that is?
Nicky: Because the record company want you to strike while the iron is hot, they don't want you to go off, spend ages making a record and to come back to find people have forgotten about you. You know, a lot of boybands will do three albums in a year, then a Greatest Hits and then they just don't come back!
ILM: What's the typical boy band process of making a record?
Nicky: You don't get involved much in the process, bar the vocals. You get the songs, you learn the songs, you go into the studio and you vocal the songs. That had to change. Westlife came in on a great level with songs like I Swear It Again, If I Let You Go and Flying Without Wings. All great songs. But after three or four years of writing, nobody can keep producing songs at that level, year in, year out. When you're in a band with a big label and that happens, they're going to start mentioning cover ideas, which is what happened with us.
ILM: How do you feel about cover versions?
Nicky: You know, there's always going to be a great time, and a right time to do a cover. We've never been against it. But to be honest, what we did do was become too cover orientated and dependent. I think that probably went against us. Certainly amongst the media, certainly criticism wise. But you know, one thing that never suffered was our touring!
ILM: I suppose some musicians make music for themselves, and if people like it, then great. With a boy band the fans are at the centre of everything. So keeping them happy and on board is perhaps the most important thing, even if it does mean going against your instinct as a musician, performer or member of the band?
Nicky: Absolutley. We have an incredible fan base. The fans loved what we did and have always supported us. Perhaps they knew that maybe we were under-achieving in terms of what we were capable of, but they didn't go away! That all had to be re-adjusted when we came back from the year off. We're now working with a whole new team. We haven't worked with any of them before. We recorded most of it in the United States with guys who know of Westlife, but haven't paid much attention to us. That was pretty cool.
ILM: It must be refreshing to take it back to basics?
Nicky: Oh yes, it was, it was. It made us sort of re-learn what we did.
ILM: One of your most recent come back appearances was on The X Factor! How was that experience?
Nicky: Performing on the X Factor was incredible! We've been on The X Factor before, quite a few times, but this felt different! The song we were doing. I mean, we weren't cringing! There wasn't any doubt in our minds. We were so up for coming back with a song that we knew was a potential hit. It gave us so much extra confidence.
ILM: Westlife have achieved so much, what have been some of the biggest highlights for you?
Nicky: We met the Pope one time! We flew our mothers and fathers into the Vatican, he had asked us to perform for him, and they met him too. Being Irish boys, that was pretty special for our mums and dads. There are so many different things! The first ever number one with Swear It Again back in 1999 was pretty cool! We've won so many awards down the years too, MTV awards, BRIT awards, Irish Music awards! We've travelled the world too! Even though it can become monotonous sometimes, anybody who travels the world for that long with a bunch of guys you genuinely get on with will have great times and funny stories!
ILM: Out of all the live shows you've played, which have been some of the most memorable?
Nicky: Over the years we have had so many memorable shows! At the beginning of the year off we finished our 2008 tour at Croke Park in Dublin, which holds 83,000 people. That was a ten year celebration, sold out to the rafters! That was special. There were tears all around. Especially going into our year off not really knowing what was going to happen next, where the year was going to take us both individually and with the band. We all knew we would be back, we just didn't know if it was achievable to get what we wanted in terms of everything I've just spoken about. The DVD of the night just shows what it was like! It was such a momentous occasion!
ILM: You mention travelling the world, what's it like being on tour together?
Nicky: It's like you never have to grow up! We're just having a laugh! Most of us are married or whatever, so you kind of cherish it more when you go abroad now because you get a lads night out! Which is a very rare occurrence! We'll do our show, TV appearance or whatever, then we get to have a night out with the boys, which is always so much fun!
ILM: You've been on an incredible journey with Westlife. Did you always want to be a singer?
Nicky: Back when I was young I thought I was going to be a footballer! Well, I hoped to be a footballer. I was lucky enough to play for Leeds United from 16-18. I left home at 16. When Leeds didn't happen for me I came back to Ireland. I always knew I could sing, I'd sung a lot at school. But what I never really had was confidence to sing on stage. I was always asked to sing in musicals at school, I was asked to do Grease, but I just turned it all down. When I came back from Leeds I just thought, "I'll give this a bash now I'm back at home." I did a bit of karaoke, got some confidence, heard about an audition on the radio and went for it!
ILM: You make it sound so easy! How have you found fame and being in the limelight?
Nicky: I've enjoyed it. Your life just changes. Upside down, inside out, whatever you want to say. People recognise you, girls were calling through my mum's door. People ask for autographs, people point at you. The very beginning of that type of fame is strange. People don't know who you are most of the time, they just know that they've seen you somewhere. Then it gets even more. You become a household name. It is strange. But it opens plenty of doors. It gets you into restaurants if they don't have tables! There are downsides too, of course. If you're having a stressful day people are going to look at you. Chances are you'll end up in Heat magazine having an argument. But all in all I cope with it quite well. I try to embrace it and remember that it's fickle and that it's not real. It's the way people perceive you, not the way you should perceive yourself. At the end of the day we're still the same guys. Well, we're not.....but we are, you know?
ILM: A lot of people would love to go on a similar journey, what advice would you give them?
Nicky: The music industry is a strange industry. But life in general, well, just go for it! Have confidence in yourself, whatever it is you chose to try and do. If it does happen for you, embrace it and enjoy it. It can take a lot out of you when things aren't going right. It can be stressfull, depressing and annoying. When the chips are down, the chips are down. It's not like football, if you're losing a game you can do something to change it. With the music industry, you're only involved when you're making the record, once that is done it's out of your hands. It's with the public.
ILM: What's the most important thing you've learnt about being a pop star?
Nicky: Confidence for me, went a long way. If I can't do something I try and do it again. I won't be shot down straight away. If someone tells me something is terrible, then fine, it's terrible. I'll try it again and hopefully it'll be a little bit better. Then I'll keep trying until I get it right. That works in all the interviews you start to do at the beginning, also singing in a vocal booth for the first time, hearing your own voice, working on it and making it better all the time. You're not always going to be everybody's cup of tea, so you just need to work on being the best at what you have. Explore your talent and enjoy life.
ILM: What's your music collection like? What do you listen to?
Nicky: I like quite a wide range. I like current artists like Pixie Lott and Lily Allen. Then there's older artists that we were looking up to at the start, like the Backstreet Boys, Take That and Boyzone. Rockier sounds like The Killers, Kings of Leon and U2. The Beach Boys. I like to pick and chose songs from everybody, I'm not necessarily a fan of all of their stuff. I've always been a fan of Phil Collins. The Police. Enrique Iglesias has some great pop tunes. Daniel Beddingfield over the years. Quite a wide range really! Bon Jovi. Michael Jackson was huge! For all of us, Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. But the music I listen to all depends on what mood I'm in really!
Westlife's new single What About Now is available now!
Their album Where We Are is out on November 30th 2009.
Credit/Source: www.ilikemusic.com
I Like Music caught up with Nicky for a chat about their music! We find out the typical boy band process of making an album, how he's coped with super stardom, the best moments of his career so far, and why, after a year off, Westlife are feeling happier and more confident than ever before.
"I Like Music because… it's the food for life. It can take you from a dark place to a sunny bright place. Or it can take you from a sunny bright place to a dark place, if that's where you choose to go to. I think it's got everything. It's got body, it's got a pulse. It can make you dance, it makes you happy. Music is extremely special." NICKY, WESTLIFE.
ILM: Hello! How does it feel to be back with a new album?
Nicky: It's great to be back! We had a big break and it's just amazing to be back on the market, doing what we believe we do best! We took our time making this album, we're very proud of it. We believe we've come back with something special. I don't believe we would have come back so soon if we didn't have something like this, we would have waited. We've come back with what we believe to be the best album of our career.
ILM: Have you returned feeling refreshed after your time off?
Nicky: We took a year off back in June '08 for lots of different reasons. We'd done ten years straight! We all needed a bit of space, we needed to miss Westlife again. The time off gave us space to reflect on what it was, reflect on those ten years. We needed to work out how to improve. It was important for us to do that. I suppose if we made a list of ten things that needed to change and be re-modelled for our come back, I think we've ticked eight to nine of those boxes already.
ILM: What was at the top of that list? What was most important in terms of a Westlife come back?
Nicky: Changing the way our record label worked with Westlife. We wanted to be put in touch with different producers from around the world, we didn't want to just settle for the same old, same old. We really wanted to make it fresh and new again, which is what we've done! Having had those meetings with the label, we told Simon [Cowell] how we felt. We were so excited to hear that he felt the same. All of a sudden he was opening doors for us to work with some of the best producers in the world.
ILM: How was that experience? Working with new producers?
Nicky: Working with the guys from America was incredible. Simon opened up all the doors and introduced us to all these great producers and writers. We went out for lunch with them and told them what we wanted. They knew our history, but they needed to know our new vision, where we wanted to go with our music. Then they went away and wrote songs. We were in America for just over a month.
ILM: How did the new album come together?
Nicky: We'd meet three or four producers or writers in a morning. They would then go off and write, which could take a couple of days, a week or maybe just over. Then they'd call us up, we'd meet again and maybe demo something. We really became involved in the process.
ILM: Out of all the people you've worked with on the album, which have been some of the most inspiring?
Nicky: We worked with Ryan Tedder, the lead singer from OneRepublic who has written Apologize and Bleeding Love for Leona. Lots of big songs! He's a very talented man! He wrote two songs on this album. One called Where We Are and one called Shadows. He co-wrote one of them with AJ from the Backstreet Boys! There's a lot of variety on there! We feel fulfilled. We've done ourselves proud! Also, knowing that we haven't done it against the wishes of the record company makes a big difference. They actually came on board and are 1000% behind us.
ILM: Have there been times when you've felt a lack of control during the making of a record?
Nicky: It's changed over the years. With this album we took it back to basics. On our very first album, we were just getting started and it was far more leisurely. We flew to Sweden as a band, we all went in the studio together. We went back to London together, worked with some more guys. Everything was leisurely and we did it all together. Gradually, with success, things moved a million miles per hour. As a result, we didn't get the time to plan other albums in the same way. Rock bands do. They take the time out. But pop bands usually don't.
ILM: Why do you think that is?
Nicky: Because the record company want you to strike while the iron is hot, they don't want you to go off, spend ages making a record and to come back to find people have forgotten about you. You know, a lot of boybands will do three albums in a year, then a Greatest Hits and then they just don't come back!
ILM: What's the typical boy band process of making a record?
Nicky: You don't get involved much in the process, bar the vocals. You get the songs, you learn the songs, you go into the studio and you vocal the songs. That had to change. Westlife came in on a great level with songs like I Swear It Again, If I Let You Go and Flying Without Wings. All great songs. But after three or four years of writing, nobody can keep producing songs at that level, year in, year out. When you're in a band with a big label and that happens, they're going to start mentioning cover ideas, which is what happened with us.
ILM: How do you feel about cover versions?
Nicky: You know, there's always going to be a great time, and a right time to do a cover. We've never been against it. But to be honest, what we did do was become too cover orientated and dependent. I think that probably went against us. Certainly amongst the media, certainly criticism wise. But you know, one thing that never suffered was our touring!
ILM: I suppose some musicians make music for themselves, and if people like it, then great. With a boy band the fans are at the centre of everything. So keeping them happy and on board is perhaps the most important thing, even if it does mean going against your instinct as a musician, performer or member of the band?
Nicky: Absolutley. We have an incredible fan base. The fans loved what we did and have always supported us. Perhaps they knew that maybe we were under-achieving in terms of what we were capable of, but they didn't go away! That all had to be re-adjusted when we came back from the year off. We're now working with a whole new team. We haven't worked with any of them before. We recorded most of it in the United States with guys who know of Westlife, but haven't paid much attention to us. That was pretty cool.
ILM: It must be refreshing to take it back to basics?
Nicky: Oh yes, it was, it was. It made us sort of re-learn what we did.
ILM: One of your most recent come back appearances was on The X Factor! How was that experience?
Nicky: Performing on the X Factor was incredible! We've been on The X Factor before, quite a few times, but this felt different! The song we were doing. I mean, we weren't cringing! There wasn't any doubt in our minds. We were so up for coming back with a song that we knew was a potential hit. It gave us so much extra confidence.
ILM: Westlife have achieved so much, what have been some of the biggest highlights for you?
Nicky: We met the Pope one time! We flew our mothers and fathers into the Vatican, he had asked us to perform for him, and they met him too. Being Irish boys, that was pretty special for our mums and dads. There are so many different things! The first ever number one with Swear It Again back in 1999 was pretty cool! We've won so many awards down the years too, MTV awards, BRIT awards, Irish Music awards! We've travelled the world too! Even though it can become monotonous sometimes, anybody who travels the world for that long with a bunch of guys you genuinely get on with will have great times and funny stories!
ILM: Out of all the live shows you've played, which have been some of the most memorable?
Nicky: Over the years we have had so many memorable shows! At the beginning of the year off we finished our 2008 tour at Croke Park in Dublin, which holds 83,000 people. That was a ten year celebration, sold out to the rafters! That was special. There were tears all around. Especially going into our year off not really knowing what was going to happen next, where the year was going to take us both individually and with the band. We all knew we would be back, we just didn't know if it was achievable to get what we wanted in terms of everything I've just spoken about. The DVD of the night just shows what it was like! It was such a momentous occasion!
ILM: You mention travelling the world, what's it like being on tour together?
Nicky: It's like you never have to grow up! We're just having a laugh! Most of us are married or whatever, so you kind of cherish it more when you go abroad now because you get a lads night out! Which is a very rare occurrence! We'll do our show, TV appearance or whatever, then we get to have a night out with the boys, which is always so much fun!
ILM: You've been on an incredible journey with Westlife. Did you always want to be a singer?
Nicky: Back when I was young I thought I was going to be a footballer! Well, I hoped to be a footballer. I was lucky enough to play for Leeds United from 16-18. I left home at 16. When Leeds didn't happen for me I came back to Ireland. I always knew I could sing, I'd sung a lot at school. But what I never really had was confidence to sing on stage. I was always asked to sing in musicals at school, I was asked to do Grease, but I just turned it all down. When I came back from Leeds I just thought, "I'll give this a bash now I'm back at home." I did a bit of karaoke, got some confidence, heard about an audition on the radio and went for it!
ILM: You make it sound so easy! How have you found fame and being in the limelight?
Nicky: I've enjoyed it. Your life just changes. Upside down, inside out, whatever you want to say. People recognise you, girls were calling through my mum's door. People ask for autographs, people point at you. The very beginning of that type of fame is strange. People don't know who you are most of the time, they just know that they've seen you somewhere. Then it gets even more. You become a household name. It is strange. But it opens plenty of doors. It gets you into restaurants if they don't have tables! There are downsides too, of course. If you're having a stressful day people are going to look at you. Chances are you'll end up in Heat magazine having an argument. But all in all I cope with it quite well. I try to embrace it and remember that it's fickle and that it's not real. It's the way people perceive you, not the way you should perceive yourself. At the end of the day we're still the same guys. Well, we're not.....but we are, you know?
ILM: A lot of people would love to go on a similar journey, what advice would you give them?
Nicky: The music industry is a strange industry. But life in general, well, just go for it! Have confidence in yourself, whatever it is you chose to try and do. If it does happen for you, embrace it and enjoy it. It can take a lot out of you when things aren't going right. It can be stressfull, depressing and annoying. When the chips are down, the chips are down. It's not like football, if you're losing a game you can do something to change it. With the music industry, you're only involved when you're making the record, once that is done it's out of your hands. It's with the public.
ILM: What's the most important thing you've learnt about being a pop star?
Nicky: Confidence for me, went a long way. If I can't do something I try and do it again. I won't be shot down straight away. If someone tells me something is terrible, then fine, it's terrible. I'll try it again and hopefully it'll be a little bit better. Then I'll keep trying until I get it right. That works in all the interviews you start to do at the beginning, also singing in a vocal booth for the first time, hearing your own voice, working on it and making it better all the time. You're not always going to be everybody's cup of tea, so you just need to work on being the best at what you have. Explore your talent and enjoy life.
ILM: What's your music collection like? What do you listen to?
Nicky: I like quite a wide range. I like current artists like Pixie Lott and Lily Allen. Then there's older artists that we were looking up to at the start, like the Backstreet Boys, Take That and Boyzone. Rockier sounds like The Killers, Kings of Leon and U2. The Beach Boys. I like to pick and chose songs from everybody, I'm not necessarily a fan of all of their stuff. I've always been a fan of Phil Collins. The Police. Enrique Iglesias has some great pop tunes. Daniel Beddingfield over the years. Quite a wide range really! Bon Jovi. Michael Jackson was huge! For all of us, Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. But the music I listen to all depends on what mood I'm in really!
Westlife's new single What About Now is available now!
Their album Where We Are is out on November 30th 2009.
Credit/Source: www.ilikemusic.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Track By Track - 'How To Break A Heart'
'Where We Are' album Track by Track - 'How To Break A Heart'
WATCH IT ONLINE ON WESTLIFE.COM'S PLAYER
Kian: The second track in the album is a song called 'How To Break A Heart'. I think, for me anyways, this is my favourite song outside the first single. Simply because I think it's a whole new fresh thing for Westlife, a whole new fresh sound, a completely different feel but still very Westlife. It's a fantastic pop song, I certenly think it would make everybody kinda go 'Woaw!'. In general, you know, it's got a bit more tempo to it, it's got a different feel to it, certenly a new sound for Westlife but for me it's the best song on the album after the first single.
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
WATCH IT ONLINE ON WESTLIFE.COM'S PLAYER
Kian: The second track in the album is a song called 'How To Break A Heart'. I think, for me anyways, this is my favourite song outside the first single. Simply because I think it's a whole new fresh thing for Westlife, a whole new fresh sound, a completely different feel but still very Westlife. It's a fantastic pop song, I certenly think it would make everybody kinda go 'Woaw!'. In general, you know, it's got a bit more tempo to it, it's got a different feel to it, certenly a new sound for Westlife but for me it's the best song on the album after the first single.
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
TV Dates
Here are some upcoming Westlife TV dates for your diary:
Friday 20th November – Children In Need performance
Saturday 21st November – National Lottery performance
Wednesday 25th November - BBC Breakfast News
Thursday 26th November – Alan Carr Chatty Man interview and video (recording Wednesday 25th November)
Friday 27th November – The Late Late Show performance, Dublin
Friday 4th December – The Friday Show, Northern Ireland (recording Sunday 22nd November)
Friday 4th December - Paul O'Grady (recording Wednesday 2nd December)
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Friday 20th November – Children In Need performance
Saturday 21st November – National Lottery performance
Wednesday 25th November - BBC Breakfast News
Thursday 26th November – Alan Carr Chatty Man interview and video (recording Wednesday 25th November)
Friday 27th November – The Late Late Show performance, Dublin
Friday 4th December – The Friday Show, Northern Ireland (recording Sunday 22nd November)
Friday 4th December - Paul O'Grady (recording Wednesday 2nd December)
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Westife album Track by Track
Westlife unanimously agree that Where We Are is one of their very best albums to-date. They've recorded a series of exclusive video clips giving fans the inside track on every song, and we'll be posting one every weekday until the album's released on 30th November.
The first one is ‘What About Now' and goes live tomorrow - get ready!
Credit:Westlife.com
The first one is ‘What About Now' and goes live tomorrow - get ready!
Credit:Westlife.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Put Your Questions To Westlife
Got a burning question you’ve been dying to ask the boys? Well we’re giving you the opportunity to do just that.
All you have to do is text WESTLIFE followed by your question to 67777 – and then wait to see if yours is one of the ten that the band answer!
Check out the special Westlife microsite for full details. And while you’re there, you’ll be able to listen to samples of every single track on the upcoming album Where We Are! There’s also the option to embed the player on your own website or social network profile.
Credit:Westlife.com
All you have to do is text WESTLIFE followed by your question to 67777 – and then wait to see if yours is one of the ten that the band answer!
Check out the special Westlife microsite for full details. And while you’re there, you’ll be able to listen to samples of every single track on the upcoming album Where We Are! There’s also the option to embed the player on your own website or social network profile.
Credit:Westlife.com
Magic Presents...Westlife
Westlife are taking over the Magic FM airwaves on Sunday between 2pm – 4pm. The guys will be playing 2 hours worth of their favourite Magic music and answering all your questions. Mark and Kian are presenting the show which will also feature an exclusive album track so make sure you tune in!
Credit:Westlife.com
Credit:Westlife.com
Monday, November 9, 2009
New Message From Nicky
just a short note as i may not be on here for a while..thank you to everyone for being so repectful and caring to all my family this week..N
Source:Twitter.com
Source:Twitter.com
'What About Now' No.8 In The UK Singles Chart
Westlife's new single 'What About Now' dropped from last week's No.2 to No.8 this week in the UK singles chart.
Source:bbc.co.uk
Source:bbc.co.uk
Westlife's Nicky in final farewell to his 'hero' dad
Singer gets to grant his father's last wish
By NIAMH HORAN
IT was his only regret from a long and happy relationship with a father he called "his hero".
For seven years, Nicky Byrne's dad had begged him to perform Elvis Costello's hit song Please Stay alongside Westlife. Yesterday at the end of an emotional ceremony at St Laurence O'Toole Church in Baldoyle, the heartbroken singer granted his father's long-held wish.
His voice shaking, Nicky sang the poignant words 'please stay, please don't go' before breaking down at the immensity of his loss.
The love he and his family felt for Nicky Senior, a man he called "a legend" and "the coolest dad in the world", was marked throughout the moving tribute.
Earlier he had painted a colourful picture of the type of person his father was. "A true gentleman, he had an amazing smile. In fact he died with a smile on his face," he told the packed congregation. "He looked so peaceful and relaxed. He was the best looking dead person I ever saw," quipped the singer.
It was a heartfelt speech. Filled with jokes and funny anecdotes; a tribute to a man who was renowned for his large bank of witticisms.
"He was the coolest dad. He could never cramp our style. Except this one time when he bought a Lada. We used to hate it but he tried so hard to change our mind," recalled Nicky.
"I remember one day he put all his power into passing a Porsche out on the motorway just to prove it was cool."
A man of simple pleasures, the Westlife star described how his father loved football, snooker, pitch 'n' putt, chicken and chips and Guinness.
But there was only one true love in his father's life -- and that was his wife Yvonne.
"He met my mam at a dancehall on a mid-summer's day in 1968 and that night he came home and told his parents he had just met the girl he was going to marry, as I did many years later when I met Georgina," explained Nicky. "They were soul mates and they made a great team."
Addressing his father-in-law, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who was present at the service, the Westlife singer also recalled how his father, who worked for the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, reacted when he got wind of the decentralisation plan.
"He rang Bertie to make sure he wouldn't be moved to Co Kerry. He then announced to the entire office that he'd been on to Bertie and it'd all be OK, they were going nowhere. Bertie was going to look after them all," he said to laughter in the pews.
Describing him as "the greatest grandfather anyone could ask for", he explained how his dad would collect spiders with Jay and Rocco, saying their playtime would cover everything from hunting down ants to making magic wands.
The funeral Mass, which was punctuated with some of the best of Ireland's musical talent, witnessed Westlife stand shoulder to shoulder on the altar to sing You Raise Me Up, while The Vard Singers performed Pie Jesu.
Source: www.independent.ie
By NIAMH HORAN
IT was his only regret from a long and happy relationship with a father he called "his hero".
For seven years, Nicky Byrne's dad had begged him to perform Elvis Costello's hit song Please Stay alongside Westlife. Yesterday at the end of an emotional ceremony at St Laurence O'Toole Church in Baldoyle, the heartbroken singer granted his father's long-held wish.
His voice shaking, Nicky sang the poignant words 'please stay, please don't go' before breaking down at the immensity of his loss.
The love he and his family felt for Nicky Senior, a man he called "a legend" and "the coolest dad in the world", was marked throughout the moving tribute.
Earlier he had painted a colourful picture of the type of person his father was. "A true gentleman, he had an amazing smile. In fact he died with a smile on his face," he told the packed congregation. "He looked so peaceful and relaxed. He was the best looking dead person I ever saw," quipped the singer.
It was a heartfelt speech. Filled with jokes and funny anecdotes; a tribute to a man who was renowned for his large bank of witticisms.
"He was the coolest dad. He could never cramp our style. Except this one time when he bought a Lada. We used to hate it but he tried so hard to change our mind," recalled Nicky.
"I remember one day he put all his power into passing a Porsche out on the motorway just to prove it was cool."
A man of simple pleasures, the Westlife star described how his father loved football, snooker, pitch 'n' putt, chicken and chips and Guinness.
But there was only one true love in his father's life -- and that was his wife Yvonne.
"He met my mam at a dancehall on a mid-summer's day in 1968 and that night he came home and told his parents he had just met the girl he was going to marry, as I did many years later when I met Georgina," explained Nicky. "They were soul mates and they made a great team."
Addressing his father-in-law, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who was present at the service, the Westlife singer also recalled how his father, who worked for the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, reacted when he got wind of the decentralisation plan.
"He rang Bertie to make sure he wouldn't be moved to Co Kerry. He then announced to the entire office that he'd been on to Bertie and it'd all be OK, they were going nowhere. Bertie was going to look after them all," he said to laughter in the pews.
Describing him as "the greatest grandfather anyone could ask for", he explained how his dad would collect spiders with Jay and Rocco, saying their playtime would cover everything from hunting down ants to making magic wands.
The funeral Mass, which was punctuated with some of the best of Ireland's musical talent, witnessed Westlife stand shoulder to shoulder on the altar to sing You Raise Me Up, while The Vard Singers performed Pie Jesu.
Source: www.independent.ie
Westlife star Nicky Byrne lays his father to rest in emotional ceremony
Westlife star Nicky Byrne laid his father to rest today in an emotional ceremony.
The 31-year-old's face was contorted by grief as he acted as pallbearer for his father Nicky Sr.
Earlier the grieving star and his family had been joined by Nicky's Westlife bandmates as they sang at the service in tribute to the 60-year-old, a musician and singer on the cabaret scene.
Westlife's founder Louis Walsh also attended the service at Lawrences Church in Balldoyle, Dublin, before flying back to London to act as a judge on tonight's X Factor show.
Amongst the mourners were writer Cecelia Ahern and boyfriend athlete David Keoghan, Irish TV chef Terry McCoy, the former Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Ahern, Irish singer Michael English, Boyzone singer Ronan's wife Yvonne Keating, Irish TV producer Bill Hughes, and Gaelic footballer Gary Kavanagh.
Nicky Sr, who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz', was the person who inspired a young Byrne to go into the music business and the pair used to sing karaoke together.
The pair were partularly close and in December, Byrne threw a lavish party at a Dublin hotel for Nicky Sr’s 60th birthday and presented his father with a Harley-Davidson motorbike as a present.
His sudden death earlier this week left Byrne devastated. He was in London on a promotional tour and immediately flew home to Ireland.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
The 31-year-old's face was contorted by grief as he acted as pallbearer for his father Nicky Sr.
Earlier the grieving star and his family had been joined by Nicky's Westlife bandmates as they sang at the service in tribute to the 60-year-old, a musician and singer on the cabaret scene.
Westlife's founder Louis Walsh also attended the service at Lawrences Church in Balldoyle, Dublin, before flying back to London to act as a judge on tonight's X Factor show.
Amongst the mourners were writer Cecelia Ahern and boyfriend athlete David Keoghan, Irish TV chef Terry McCoy, the former Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Ahern, Irish singer Michael English, Boyzone singer Ronan's wife Yvonne Keating, Irish TV producer Bill Hughes, and Gaelic footballer Gary Kavanagh.
Nicky Sr, who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz', was the person who inspired a young Byrne to go into the music business and the pair used to sing karaoke together.
The pair were partularly close and in December, Byrne threw a lavish party at a Dublin hotel for Nicky Sr’s 60th birthday and presented his father with a Harley-Davidson motorbike as a present.
His sudden death earlier this week left Byrne devastated. He was in London on a promotional tour and immediately flew home to Ireland.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Friday, November 6, 2009
Westlife on call for tribute at funeral of Nicky's dad
WESTLIFE are considering performing an emotional tribute at the funeral of Nicky Byrne's father this weekend.
Nikki Byrne Snr (60) died suddenly on Tuesday and will be laid to rest in his hometown of Seagrange in Baldoyle, north Dublin on Saturday.
The father of three, who was well-known on Ireland's cabaret circuit and even had his own band called 'Nikki and Studz', is believed to have died of a heart attack while at work.
Westlife star Nicky is helping his mother Yvonne and his siblings Gillian and Adam with the funeral arrangements.
Mr Byrne's body was taken to the family home yesterday and will repose there until Saturday.
The funeral will be held at St Laurence O'Toole's Church in Seagrange and he will be buried in Fingal Cemetery in Balgriffin.
A number of showbiz personalities will perform at Mr Byrne's funeral. But the Irish Independent has learned that Westlife are leaving it up to Nicky (31) as to whether the group will perform or not.
- Stephen O'Farrell
Source:Irish Independent
Credit:Dazzling Westlife
Nikki Byrne Snr (60) died suddenly on Tuesday and will be laid to rest in his hometown of Seagrange in Baldoyle, north Dublin on Saturday.
The father of three, who was well-known on Ireland's cabaret circuit and even had his own band called 'Nikki and Studz', is believed to have died of a heart attack while at work.
Westlife star Nicky is helping his mother Yvonne and his siblings Gillian and Adam with the funeral arrangements.
Mr Byrne's body was taken to the family home yesterday and will repose there until Saturday.
The funeral will be held at St Laurence O'Toole's Church in Seagrange and he will be buried in Fingal Cemetery in Balgriffin.
A number of showbiz personalities will perform at Mr Byrne's funeral. But the Irish Independent has learned that Westlife are leaving it up to Nicky (31) as to whether the group will perform or not.
- Stephen O'Farrell
Source:Irish Independent
Credit:Dazzling Westlife
WE'LL SING AT NICKY DAD'S FUNERAL
WESTLIFE IN TRIBUTE OFFER TO BANDMATE
By Paul Martin
NICKY Byrne's Westlife bandmates have told the grief-stricken star they will sing at his tragic father's funeral service.
Grieving Nicky spoke with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily yesterday as he came to terms with his father's sudden death after he collapsed and died of a heart attack on Tuesday morning.
As his distraught family began making funeral plans yesterday a source close to the star told how his three Westlife pals offered to give Nicky Snr their personal send-off.
He said: "Nicky has been really comforted by the support he has received from his mates. They have told him they will sing for his dad if he wants them to.
"They all rallied together and they sang at Kian's father's funeral in the summer and they want to do the same for Nicky.
"He's going to take his time and think it over but it would certainly be a touching tribute and it just shows how close all the lads are."
Yesterday Nicky's mother-in-law Miriam Ahern was among those lending her support to the Byrne family.
She said: "He was truly well respected by everybody and will definitely be missed by many people.
"He was just a lovely, lovely man. Nicky and Georgina are understandably very upset. We're still in shock. It's very difficult."
Westlife manager Louis Walsh added he was stunned by the death, just three weeks after Boyzone's Stephen Gately passed away.
He said: "It's crazy, it just seems to be bad news on top of more bad news. We are devastated and our thoughts and prayers are with Nicky and his family at this time."
Westlife were due to embark on a promotional tour of Glasgow yesterday but have cancelled all their engagements for the coming days.
Yesterday Nicky's former bandmate Brian McFadden added his tributes. He said: "I'm devastated by this. Nicky was an amazing man. He was always great fun and had a smile on his face. This year has been full of death - it's been the worst year of my life."
RTE's Gerry Ryan also joined the tributes. The DJ told listeners: "Nicky Byrne was a lovely man. A very friendly, down-to-earth man. My thoughts are with the family."
Source: Irish Daily Mirror
Credit:Dazzling Westlife
By Paul Martin
NICKY Byrne's Westlife bandmates have told the grief-stricken star they will sing at his tragic father's funeral service.
Grieving Nicky spoke with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily yesterday as he came to terms with his father's sudden death after he collapsed and died of a heart attack on Tuesday morning.
As his distraught family began making funeral plans yesterday a source close to the star told how his three Westlife pals offered to give Nicky Snr their personal send-off.
He said: "Nicky has been really comforted by the support he has received from his mates. They have told him they will sing for his dad if he wants them to.
"They all rallied together and they sang at Kian's father's funeral in the summer and they want to do the same for Nicky.
"He's going to take his time and think it over but it would certainly be a touching tribute and it just shows how close all the lads are."
Yesterday Nicky's mother-in-law Miriam Ahern was among those lending her support to the Byrne family.
She said: "He was truly well respected by everybody and will definitely be missed by many people.
"He was just a lovely, lovely man. Nicky and Georgina are understandably very upset. We're still in shock. It's very difficult."
Westlife manager Louis Walsh added he was stunned by the death, just three weeks after Boyzone's Stephen Gately passed away.
He said: "It's crazy, it just seems to be bad news on top of more bad news. We are devastated and our thoughts and prayers are with Nicky and his family at this time."
Westlife were due to embark on a promotional tour of Glasgow yesterday but have cancelled all their engagements for the coming days.
Yesterday Nicky's former bandmate Brian McFadden added his tributes. He said: "I'm devastated by this. Nicky was an amazing man. He was always great fun and had a smile on his face. This year has been full of death - it's been the worst year of my life."
RTE's Gerry Ryan also joined the tributes. The DJ told listeners: "Nicky Byrne was a lovely man. A very friendly, down-to-earth man. My thoughts are with the family."
Source: Irish Daily Mirror
Credit:Dazzling Westlife
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Inside Track On Where We Are
ith Westlife's first new album in two years - the incredible Where We Are - hitting stores on 30th November, we wanted to give you some extra information on what's shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of their career...
- Where We Are features work from some of the most admired behind-the-scenes names in pop, including Grammy-nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce), Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That), Steve Booker (Duffy), Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia)
- Mark co-wrote the amazing ‘Reach Out' with Shaznay Lewis
- ‘Shadows' was co-written by Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean. It's a classic Westlife anthem with a twist - it features a futuristic military drum roll
- Westlife explore their rockier side on singalong number ‘The Difference'
- ‘Another World' is set to be a favourite for Mark fans, as it sees his amazing vocals soar into gospel territory
- ‘I'll See You Again' is a beautifully poignant song about the loss of a loved one, set to a backdrop of piano, synths and acoustic guitar.
Shane says: "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Album track listing:
1) What About Now
2) How To Break A Heart
3) Leaving
4) Shadows
5) Talk Me Down
6) Where We Are
7) The Difference
8) As Love Is My Witness
9) Another World
10) No More Heroes
11) Sound Of A Broken Heart
12) Reach Out
13) I'll See You Again
Source:Westlife.com
- Where We Are features work from some of the most admired behind-the-scenes names in pop, including Grammy-nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce), Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That), Steve Booker (Duffy), Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia)
- Mark co-wrote the amazing ‘Reach Out' with Shaznay Lewis
- ‘Shadows' was co-written by Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean. It's a classic Westlife anthem with a twist - it features a futuristic military drum roll
- Westlife explore their rockier side on singalong number ‘The Difference'
- ‘Another World' is set to be a favourite for Mark fans, as it sees his amazing vocals soar into gospel territory
- ‘I'll See You Again' is a beautifully poignant song about the loss of a loved one, set to a backdrop of piano, synths and acoustic guitar.
Shane says: "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Album track listing:
1) What About Now
2) How To Break A Heart
3) Leaving
4) Shadows
5) Talk Me Down
6) Where We Are
7) The Difference
8) As Love Is My Witness
9) Another World
10) No More Heroes
11) Sound Of A Broken Heart
12) Reach Out
13) I'll See You Again
Source:Westlife.com
New album for Westlife
*Includes 'Where We Are' album spoilers*
Pop's most enduring group, Westlife, have finally emerged from the studio after a year-long break to present their brand new album, 'Where We Are'.
Spending much of 2009 hidden away in studios across Europe and the US, Westlife have been quietly creating their most exciting album to date. 'Where We Are' features work from pop's finest craftsmen, including grammy nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce) Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That) Steve Booker (Duffy) Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia.) and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with band member Mark Feehily.
These stellar production teams have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, whilst retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Featuring the already massive hit single 'What About Now' it's a collection bound to excite fans and pop enthusiasts alike.
Perhaps best showcasing this new sound is 'Shadows', co-written by Backstreet Boy A. J. Mclean. A classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife bang up-to-date on the eve of the new decade.
Elsewhere 'The Difference' visits rockier terrain, while 'Another World' allows Mark Feehily's exquisite vocal to escalate to gospel territory, a moment sure to thrill live. 'I'll See You Again' laments the passing of a loved one, set to a haunting landscape of piano, synths and acoustic guitar, a moment surely relatable.
Shane Filan of the band says "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Westlife's new material is the first since 2007's 'Back Home', which became the band's seventh number one album, spending two months in the Top Ten and selling over 1 million copies in the UK alone.
No pop band can compare to Westlife's extraordinary success. During their 11 years at the top of pop's hierarchy, the band has sold over 40 million records globally. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits (behind only Elvis and The Beatles). They have also picked up innumerable awards and appeared on hundreds of magazine covers around the world. They are the only recording artists to win the prestigious 'Record Of The Year' an incredible four times (other top awards include two BRITS and an MTV Europe Award). Westlife are also the biggest selling Arena act ever, holding the record for the most concerts held at Wembley Arena, an incredible 23.
Source: entertainment.iafrica.com
Pop's most enduring group, Westlife, have finally emerged from the studio after a year-long break to present their brand new album, 'Where We Are'.
Spending much of 2009 hidden away in studios across Europe and the US, Westlife have been quietly creating their most exciting album to date. 'Where We Are' features work from pop's finest craftsmen, including grammy nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce) Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That) Steve Booker (Duffy) Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia.) and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with band member Mark Feehily.
These stellar production teams have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, whilst retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Featuring the already massive hit single 'What About Now' it's a collection bound to excite fans and pop enthusiasts alike.
Perhaps best showcasing this new sound is 'Shadows', co-written by Backstreet Boy A. J. Mclean. A classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife bang up-to-date on the eve of the new decade.
Elsewhere 'The Difference' visits rockier terrain, while 'Another World' allows Mark Feehily's exquisite vocal to escalate to gospel territory, a moment sure to thrill live. 'I'll See You Again' laments the passing of a loved one, set to a haunting landscape of piano, synths and acoustic guitar, a moment surely relatable.
Shane Filan of the band says "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Westlife's new material is the first since 2007's 'Back Home', which became the band's seventh number one album, spending two months in the Top Ten and selling over 1 million copies in the UK alone.
No pop band can compare to Westlife's extraordinary success. During their 11 years at the top of pop's hierarchy, the band has sold over 40 million records globally. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits (behind only Elvis and The Beatles). They have also picked up innumerable awards and appeared on hundreds of magazine covers around the world. They are the only recording artists to win the prestigious 'Record Of The Year' an incredible four times (other top awards include two BRITS and an MTV Europe Award). Westlife are also the biggest selling Arena act ever, holding the record for the most concerts held at Wembley Arena, an incredible 23.
Source: entertainment.iafrica.com
'Where We Are' Album snippents
Amazon.co.uk has added snippets of all the songs in Westlife's new album 'Where We Are':
Listten to them:HERE
Source:Amazon.co.uk
Listten to them:HERE
Source:Amazon.co.uk
Westlife's Nicky in shock at sudden death of father
By Allison Bray and Denise Clarke
TRIBUTES were last night paid to the father of Westlife star Nicky Byrne, who died suddenly yesterday.
Nicky Byrne Snr died yesterday in Dublin and it is believed he died of a heart attack in his workplace. It's understood he was in his early 60s.
The tragic news came after the Westlife singer paid tribute to Fifth Avenue's Beverly O'Sullivan (28) who was killed in a car crash in India on Monday.
On his Twitter page, Nicky (31) wrote that he was "in shock" about the "horrible news". However, hours later, he himself was grieving the loss of his father.
Westlife were due to begin a regional radio tour in the UK today but following the untimely death it has been cancelled. Fellow bandmate Kian Egan, who lost his own father to cancer in July, said he and the rest of the band were devastated to hear the shocking news.
Inconsolable
"It's been such a shock. Everyone feels so sad. It was just so sudden and unexpected," he told the Irish Independent last night. He said he spoke briefly with Nicky Byrne yesterday to offer his condolences but he said the young singer was inconsolable.
"He was very broken up. I never expected to be talking to the boys about another death of our parents so soon after my own father died," he said.
The band's manager and 'X Factor' judge Louis Walsh said he was also shocked by the news.
"Westlife are all devastated. They can't believe a second father is dead," he said. He said Nicky was extremely close to his namesake who was also a singer on the Dublin pub circuit.
The famous star used to sing karaoke with his dad who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz'.
Meanwhile, family members and others close to Mr Byrne and his family last night appealed for privacy in order to grieve.
A statement issued on behalf of his family last night read: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and grandad today.
"A wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched. The Byrne family would like to ask that you respect their privacy at this time."
A spokesman for former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern -- who is Nicky Jnr's father-in-law -- said: "It is a huge shock to the whole family. His thoughts and sympathies are with Yvonne, Nicko, Gillian, Adam and his beloved grandchildren, Jay and Rocco."
Westlife were due to hit the road today until Friday for a regional radio tour to visit local stations in Glasgow, Manchester, Yorkshire, Leeds and Birmingham but it has been cancelled.
A statement on the band's website last night read: "We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the Westlife radio tour has been cancelled. We're sorry for the disappointment this will cause and will bring you further updates soon."
Source:Independent.ie
TRIBUTES were last night paid to the father of Westlife star Nicky Byrne, who died suddenly yesterday.
Nicky Byrne Snr died yesterday in Dublin and it is believed he died of a heart attack in his workplace. It's understood he was in his early 60s.
The tragic news came after the Westlife singer paid tribute to Fifth Avenue's Beverly O'Sullivan (28) who was killed in a car crash in India on Monday.
On his Twitter page, Nicky (31) wrote that he was "in shock" about the "horrible news". However, hours later, he himself was grieving the loss of his father.
Westlife were due to begin a regional radio tour in the UK today but following the untimely death it has been cancelled. Fellow bandmate Kian Egan, who lost his own father to cancer in July, said he and the rest of the band were devastated to hear the shocking news.
Inconsolable
"It's been such a shock. Everyone feels so sad. It was just so sudden and unexpected," he told the Irish Independent last night. He said he spoke briefly with Nicky Byrne yesterday to offer his condolences but he said the young singer was inconsolable.
"He was very broken up. I never expected to be talking to the boys about another death of our parents so soon after my own father died," he said.
The band's manager and 'X Factor' judge Louis Walsh said he was also shocked by the news.
"Westlife are all devastated. They can't believe a second father is dead," he said. He said Nicky was extremely close to his namesake who was also a singer on the Dublin pub circuit.
The famous star used to sing karaoke with his dad who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz'.
Meanwhile, family members and others close to Mr Byrne and his family last night appealed for privacy in order to grieve.
A statement issued on behalf of his family last night read: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and grandad today.
"A wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched. The Byrne family would like to ask that you respect their privacy at this time."
A spokesman for former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern -- who is Nicky Jnr's father-in-law -- said: "It is a huge shock to the whole family. His thoughts and sympathies are with Yvonne, Nicko, Gillian, Adam and his beloved grandchildren, Jay and Rocco."
Westlife were due to hit the road today until Friday for a regional radio tour to visit local stations in Glasgow, Manchester, Yorkshire, Leeds and Birmingham but it has been cancelled.
A statement on the band's website last night read: "We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the Westlife radio tour has been cancelled. We're sorry for the disappointment this will cause and will bring you further updates soon."
Source:Independent.ie
Westlife’s Nicky Byrne mourns death of father
Westlife star Nicky Byrne returns to Ireland after his father died on Tuesday
Westlife member Nicky Byrne has jetted back to Ireland on the news that his father - Nicky Sr - has passed away suddenly.
The pop star, 31, had been in London on Tuesday as the band prepared to embark on a TV and radio tour to promote their new album Where We Are and were due in Scotland to appear on STV programme The Hour.
In a statement tonight the Byrne family said: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and granddad today."
They described Nicky Snr as "a wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched".
A statement from the band's management company SyCo Music confirmed that their promotional tour had been postponed. "We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the Westlife regional radio tour 4-6 November has been cancelled," read the statement. "We're very sorry for the disappointment that this will cause and will be bringing you further updates soon."
Nicky picked up his musical talent from his father, who was a well known singer and musician on the Ireland cabaret scene.
It was only last year in December that the Westlife star threw a birthday bash for his dad's 60th birthday, buying him a £16,000 Harley Davidson motorbike as a present.
His father's death is the third tragedy to hit 31-year-old Nicky in recent weeks. Only last month, the father-of-two returned to his native Dublin to pay his final respects to his friend, Boyzone's Stephen Gately, after he died suddenly in Majorca. Yesterday, another friend and fellow Dubliner, Beverley O'Sullivan, a former star with Irish pop group Fifth Avenue, died in a car crash in India.
Westlife have had global success with 14 number one hits and sold 40 million records worldwide and their new single What About Now came in at number two in Sunday's official chart show.
The band were formed in the 90s under the name IOYOU but their original line-up fell foul of music mogul Simon Cowell, with three members of the band axed.
Kian, Mark and Shane were then joined by Nicky and Bryan to form Westside in 1998, a name which was then changed to Westlife and have since been managed by X Factor judge Louis Walsh.
Nicky is married to Georgina Ahern, daughter of the former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. They have twin sons, Rocco and Jay.
Source: Entertainment.stv.tv
Westlife member Nicky Byrne has jetted back to Ireland on the news that his father - Nicky Sr - has passed away suddenly.
The pop star, 31, had been in London on Tuesday as the band prepared to embark on a TV and radio tour to promote their new album Where We Are and were due in Scotland to appear on STV programme The Hour.
In a statement tonight the Byrne family said: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and granddad today."
They described Nicky Snr as "a wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched".
A statement from the band's management company SyCo Music confirmed that their promotional tour had been postponed. "We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the Westlife regional radio tour 4-6 November has been cancelled," read the statement. "We're very sorry for the disappointment that this will cause and will be bringing you further updates soon."
Nicky picked up his musical talent from his father, who was a well known singer and musician on the Ireland cabaret scene.
It was only last year in December that the Westlife star threw a birthday bash for his dad's 60th birthday, buying him a £16,000 Harley Davidson motorbike as a present.
His father's death is the third tragedy to hit 31-year-old Nicky in recent weeks. Only last month, the father-of-two returned to his native Dublin to pay his final respects to his friend, Boyzone's Stephen Gately, after he died suddenly in Majorca. Yesterday, another friend and fellow Dubliner, Beverley O'Sullivan, a former star with Irish pop group Fifth Avenue, died in a car crash in India.
Westlife have had global success with 14 number one hits and sold 40 million records worldwide and their new single What About Now came in at number two in Sunday's official chart show.
The band were formed in the 90s under the name IOYOU but their original line-up fell foul of music mogul Simon Cowell, with three members of the band axed.
Kian, Mark and Shane were then joined by Nicky and Bryan to form Westside in 1998, a name which was then changed to Westlife and have since been managed by X Factor judge Louis Walsh.
Nicky is married to Georgina Ahern, daughter of the former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. They have twin sons, Rocco and Jay.
Source: Entertainment.stv.tv
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Where We Are - The Tracklisting and Cover Artwork!
We can now reveal the names of all thirteen tracks on Westlife's brand new album Where We Are and unveil the new artwork.
Out at the end of the month the album sees the guys work with the cream of the crop of songwriting/producing talent.
Very soon we'll be bringing you clips of the guys talking about each song with a preview of each track, but for now, check out the gallery for the artwork and here is the track by track run down.
WHAT ABOUT NOW
HOW TO BREAK A HEART
LEAVING
SHADOWS
TALK ME DOWN
WHERE WE ARE
THE DIFFERENCE
AS LOVE IS MY WITNESS
ANOTHER WORLD
NO MORE HEROES
SOUND OF A BROKEN HEART
REACH OUT
I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN
Which track are you most excited about hearing? Let us know in Westlife's Official Forum.
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Out at the end of the month the album sees the guys work with the cream of the crop of songwriting/producing talent.
Very soon we'll be bringing you clips of the guys talking about each song with a preview of each track, but for now, check out the gallery for the artwork and here is the track by track run down.
WHAT ABOUT NOW
HOW TO BREAK A HEART
LEAVING
SHADOWS
TALK ME DOWN
WHERE WE ARE
THE DIFFERENCE
AS LOVE IS MY WITNESS
ANOTHER WORLD
NO MORE HEROES
SOUND OF A BROKEN HEART
REACH OUT
I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN
Which track are you most excited about hearing? Let us know in Westlife's Official Forum.
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Westlife are Number Two!!
The guys are really happy as their brand new single 'What About Now' has gone straight in at Number Two on the charts!
After a great performance on X Factor last weekend, the guys have been on a high ever since and now they are Number Two they are even happier!
If you haven't bought your copy yet, head over to iTunes now and stay tuned for more info on the brand new album Where We Are!
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
After a great performance on X Factor last weekend, the guys have been on a high ever since and now they are Number Two they are even happier!
If you haven't bought your copy yet, head over to iTunes now and stay tuned for more info on the brand new album Where We Are!
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Monday, November 2, 2009
westlife's shane filan - Interview
Love them or hate them, you can't dispute Westlife's popularity and success. 14 consecutive number one singles, a dozen number one albums, sell out tours, and they're still going strong after more than ten years.
Now they're back, and we caught up with frontman Shane Filan....
How's it going? Are you fed up of doing all these interviews?
No, not at all we're officially back on the bandwaggon, we're totally back.. The single's out and the album is out a month from now. We're very excited about talking about this album. It's a slightly different sound, but it's still pop music and it's very exciting for us and the fans. It's a great album and i'm very, very proud of it. I think the first single is a very good indication of what the album is like.
What have you been doing for the last 12 months?
We have been hanging out with our families, playing golf, chilling out, Nicky set up a girlband (I bet they mean Kian) and his twins are running around the place now, my wife had a baby, some of us travelled, so we've been doing all the things we haven't been able to do properly over the last ten years really. We played a huge gig at Croque park in Dublin, which was one of the highlights of our careers, so we finished on a high there.
How are you going to top the Croque Park gig?
We've got some big ideas, we want to tour Asia and some of the places we've never been to on a world tour. We're rushing to meet our agents now to thrash out ideas. That is why we're so excited about this album, we know it's going to be a really good album and we are spoilt for choice with singles. We made a pact as a band that we wouldn't record a song unless we thought it was good enough to be a single, so it was probably annoying for the record company, but as a band, we've never come together so well on an album. We've really worked closely with Simon Cowell on this album. We never thought he'd still be so in to us, but he is, he's been very involved and he's so proud of this album. When you have Simon behind you, you just feel a good buzz there, and we feel we've done something special. It's a great pop album.
You mentioned a different direction, can you expand on that?
A different direction might be a bit wrong. I think it's still pop music, but there's a different variation on it. One massive thing is we worked with different producers, who we've never worked with before, and new song writers. There are thirteen songs on the album and twelve of them are originals. There's more tempo, more rocky songs, some more american songs, some darker songs on there with darker lyrics. It's the best production we've had on any other album. The strings, the music is just on another level. Even if you're not a Westlife fan but you're a music fan, you will recognise the quality on this album.
You apparently said in the papers that your X Factor appearence would determine the next 18 months of your career. How do you feel now you've done it?
I think the next 18 months might be good!! We were very happy with the performance, we felt it went really well, Louis and Simon were delighted and they'll always tell us honestly what they think, even if it's to say we could have done something better. They were literally jumping up and down, they were so pleased with it.
How many albums are you contracted to do? How long will Westlife be around for?
We only have one studio album left on our current contract, so renegotiations will be happening shortly. As a band, we've done ten albums but we want to do twenty. We don't see ourselves splitting up, ever. We're very proud of this album and I think it's going to be hard to top, but we'll take each album on at a time. We'll give it a good old try. Instead of doing an album every year, we think we'll make one every two albums, and keep making pop music. We will never desert our fans, and fans of what we are, but we will still have a dabble here and there with what we do. We'll experiment, like What About Now - it sounds like a Weslife song, but it has a slightly different sound and it's more uptempo.
None of you have done anything solo - will that change?
No, I don't think it will. We're not that type of band. We're all individually very happy, we have no hidden agenda's in the band. If someone wants to do something different we'll always encourage it, Nicky might present at an awards show, Mark might want to sing a song on his own and Kian may want to do something I don't know, but as a band, when we're singing we're there as a four. It's always been that way since Brian left and it always will be. They say the grass is always greener, but I don't think it is. You need to have someone with you, it would be a fairly lonely life doing this all on your own. We're successful and happy, why ruin that? We have a great life, we're all great friends. Two or three of us might go for a drink together or go to the cinema, you know, we have a great craic outside of Weslife, we're all great friends, so Westlife will continue as it is.
Westlife released new single 'What About Now' on Monday.
Their album Where We Are is out on November 30.
Source: www.celebburp.com
Credit:Westlife.gr
Now they're back, and we caught up with frontman Shane Filan....
How's it going? Are you fed up of doing all these interviews?
No, not at all we're officially back on the bandwaggon, we're totally back.. The single's out and the album is out a month from now. We're very excited about talking about this album. It's a slightly different sound, but it's still pop music and it's very exciting for us and the fans. It's a great album and i'm very, very proud of it. I think the first single is a very good indication of what the album is like.
What have you been doing for the last 12 months?
We have been hanging out with our families, playing golf, chilling out, Nicky set up a girlband (I bet they mean Kian) and his twins are running around the place now, my wife had a baby, some of us travelled, so we've been doing all the things we haven't been able to do properly over the last ten years really. We played a huge gig at Croque park in Dublin, which was one of the highlights of our careers, so we finished on a high there.
How are you going to top the Croque Park gig?
We've got some big ideas, we want to tour Asia and some of the places we've never been to on a world tour. We're rushing to meet our agents now to thrash out ideas. That is why we're so excited about this album, we know it's going to be a really good album and we are spoilt for choice with singles. We made a pact as a band that we wouldn't record a song unless we thought it was good enough to be a single, so it was probably annoying for the record company, but as a band, we've never come together so well on an album. We've really worked closely with Simon Cowell on this album. We never thought he'd still be so in to us, but he is, he's been very involved and he's so proud of this album. When you have Simon behind you, you just feel a good buzz there, and we feel we've done something special. It's a great pop album.
You mentioned a different direction, can you expand on that?
A different direction might be a bit wrong. I think it's still pop music, but there's a different variation on it. One massive thing is we worked with different producers, who we've never worked with before, and new song writers. There are thirteen songs on the album and twelve of them are originals. There's more tempo, more rocky songs, some more american songs, some darker songs on there with darker lyrics. It's the best production we've had on any other album. The strings, the music is just on another level. Even if you're not a Westlife fan but you're a music fan, you will recognise the quality on this album.
You apparently said in the papers that your X Factor appearence would determine the next 18 months of your career. How do you feel now you've done it?
I think the next 18 months might be good!! We were very happy with the performance, we felt it went really well, Louis and Simon were delighted and they'll always tell us honestly what they think, even if it's to say we could have done something better. They were literally jumping up and down, they were so pleased with it.
How many albums are you contracted to do? How long will Westlife be around for?
We only have one studio album left on our current contract, so renegotiations will be happening shortly. As a band, we've done ten albums but we want to do twenty. We don't see ourselves splitting up, ever. We're very proud of this album and I think it's going to be hard to top, but we'll take each album on at a time. We'll give it a good old try. Instead of doing an album every year, we think we'll make one every two albums, and keep making pop music. We will never desert our fans, and fans of what we are, but we will still have a dabble here and there with what we do. We'll experiment, like What About Now - it sounds like a Weslife song, but it has a slightly different sound and it's more uptempo.
None of you have done anything solo - will that change?
No, I don't think it will. We're not that type of band. We're all individually very happy, we have no hidden agenda's in the band. If someone wants to do something different we'll always encourage it, Nicky might present at an awards show, Mark might want to sing a song on his own and Kian may want to do something I don't know, but as a band, when we're singing we're there as a four. It's always been that way since Brian left and it always will be. They say the grass is always greener, but I don't think it is. You need to have someone with you, it would be a fairly lonely life doing this all on your own. We're successful and happy, why ruin that? We have a great life, we're all great friends. Two or three of us might go for a drink together or go to the cinema, you know, we have a great craic outside of Weslife, we're all great friends, so Westlife will continue as it is.
Westlife released new single 'What About Now' on Monday.
Their album Where We Are is out on November 30.
Source: www.celebburp.com
Credit:Westlife.gr
Sunday, November 1, 2009
One Show: Exclusive 'What About Now' Clip
Cancel your plans for this evening and book the sofa for 7pm - BBC One's The One Show will be showing an exclusive 30 second clip of the ‘What About Now' video!
The boys will also appear on the programme, so it's an event not to be missed. Make sure you come back here afterwards to discuss what you think. And in the meantime, why not leave your thoughts below as to what you think the video will look like...
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
The boys will also appear on the programme, so it's an event not to be missed. Make sure you come back here afterwards to discuss what you think. And in the meantime, why not leave your thoughts below as to what you think the video will look like...
Source & Credit:Westlife.com
Westlife's Shane: I was a Jacko nut
Westlife's Shane Filan reckons his obsession with Michael Jackson as a child was the reason he got into pop music.
Shane, 30, is the lead singer for one of the world's most successful boy bands and he puts his glittering career down to a childhood of singing along to Jackson's Bad album.
He said: "I was a freak Michael Jackson fan when I was younger - I had his hat and I got my mum to stitch things on to a white glove I bought, I was like a proper Michael Jackson nut."
He added: "Michael was probably one of the main reasons I was in Westlife. I used to try to copy him and try to sing like him and maybe he made me a good singer."
The Irish pop star was at the premiere for the new Jackson documentary film This Is It and he reckons the tour could have been the King of Pop's best ever.
He said: "He could really nail the vocals at 50 years old. He was literally note perfect and he's just an incredible dancer and if something wasn't done right he would just question somebody and say make sure you get it right next time.
"I would say it would have been one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life and it's a pity we're not going to get to see it."
Credits: virgin media
Shane, 30, is the lead singer for one of the world's most successful boy bands and he puts his glittering career down to a childhood of singing along to Jackson's Bad album.
He said: "I was a freak Michael Jackson fan when I was younger - I had his hat and I got my mum to stitch things on to a white glove I bought, I was like a proper Michael Jackson nut."
He added: "Michael was probably one of the main reasons I was in Westlife. I used to try to copy him and try to sing like him and maybe he made me a good singer."
The Irish pop star was at the premiere for the new Jackson documentary film This Is It and he reckons the tour could have been the King of Pop's best ever.
He said: "He could really nail the vocals at 50 years old. He was literally note perfect and he's just an incredible dancer and if something wasn't done right he would just question somebody and say make sure you get it right next time.
"I would say it would have been one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life and it's a pity we're not going to get to see it."
Credits: virgin media
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