RWD Magazine (April 2007)
Gwen Stefani
[via ndifc]
All hail the platinum blonde that made pop ace, Akon cool and Vivienne Westwood bling. RWD sit down with the Californian Grammy winner, who claims this is her last solo album... Words by Maddy Maspero
Last time you realised you’re an OG in this music game?
(Laughs) Yeah, it’s been a lot of years! I started in No Doubt when I was 17 and we were together for nine years before Tragic Kingdom came out. I’ve had this really long, slow career and I’ve experienced so many different sides to it. At the same time, it’s kinda like, ‘Oh man, I’m not at the beginning anymore.’ But I’ve had such an incredible ride. It’s unbelievable.
Last time you thought about how fab your first solo album was?
You know, Love.Angel.Music.Baby was more like a record I wanted to make in my life- it was a dance record; a one-off. I was never considering a solo career.
Last time someone asked you about your new album, The Sweet Escape?
Er, you, just now! After LAMB, I couldn’t creatively see myself going back, but I had a couple of songs in my computer. I went back in the studio with Pharrell and wrote Orange County Girl, Wind It Up and Break It Up. Before I knew it, I basically had a record. I ended up writing a lot of it after I had Kingston [Gwen’s baby boy], which was weird because I thought I was done but I wasn’t. I kinda just wanted to make one more. I’m greedy, I guess! I really enjoyed being able to indulge in my cheesy, theatrical, fun, cartoony side. As soon as I finished recording it, I felt completed in that world and ready to go do a No Doubt record.
Last time you considered collaborating with your husband, Gavin Rossdale of Bush?
Well, I’ve actually sung a lot of background vocals for him, but it’s kinda like the generic, ‘Can you sing some background vocals?’ when I’m in the house and I’m like, ‘OK.’ I don’t know, I always thought it was sort of cheesy to work with your lover! Plus I kinda did that already with Tony (Gwen’s ex-boyfriend is No Doubt’s bass player) so we’ve always kept it separate when it comes to creative stuff. Except for him (points at baby Kingston). I guess that was really creating something (laughs).
Last time you worked with a UK artist?
Well, Lady Sovereign is on my worldwide tour, and I personally requested her because I really liked her record. There’s not a lot of great people right now that I would want to take on tour that mean anything. I just think she’s interesting.
Last time you worked with ‘hook-for-hire’ Akon?
When I went in to work with Akon, I didn’t even know who he was. It was like my label forcing me to go work with him and me going, ‘I really don’t wanna work with anyone new right now’ so I cancelled it. They were like, ‘Cancel everything else, but don’t cancel this.’ I went in with him and he’s amazing. There was this instant friendship. We wrote Sweet Escape in, like, five minutes.
So is this really your last solo album?
As far as I know. I can’t predict the future. It’s all about the music and ‘What am I feeling musically?’ I was feeling this ‘80s-inspired dance record really hard... I just really wanted to do it. In my life, and where I’m at, I don’t want to waste any time. I want to milk it as long as I can; as you would if you were me. I feel very lucky and I don’t have any moments to spare. People are like, ‘Why don’t you take time off?’ But why would I?