Ten second clip, from Kelly to the fans:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/895829940d277e/
I have been a fan of Destiny's Child since the summer of 1999, when I saw the "Bills, Bills, Bills" video on MTV, and fell in love. I bought their album, The Writing's on the Wall, and I loved every track on it. That was the first time that ever happened for me, and in time I discovered that Destiny's Child was destined to be my favorite artists. Nearly 9 years later, I was granted the opportunity to interview one third of Destiny's Child, the talented Ms. Kelly Rowland. After so many years of following her music, her appearances and all-things Kelly, you can only imagine how thrilled I was to be interviewing her. The day finally came and when the phone rang, and a Music World employee informed me "I'm about to press the button, and Kelly will be on the line." Butterflies filled my inside, and I felt a high like never before, but man -- was I nervous as ever. He introduced us, and the interview began.
After getting the formalities and introductions out of the way, I told Kelly how much her song "Beyond Imagination" (from her debut album Simply Deep) meant to me, and that it is still my favorite song by her. Kelly loved hearing this and thanked me for sharing that with her. It was so surreal. After over five years of listening to that song, thinking to myself how similar our situations were, I was sitting in my kitchen on the phone with her discussing it. And it only gets better.
Next I told Kelly that I was a webmaster from DC3Forever.Net, and she immediately thanked me for all of the support. Naturally, I asked Kelly if she had ever heard of the message board, or if she has even visited. That's when she told me that she has been to the board but "not in a while." Then she said to me "I actually have a computer right here, what do I type?" and I was in disbelief. Kelly Rowland was about to go onto our message board, while talking to me on the phone. So, the page loads and she goes to the forum index and beings reading the description of the Kelly section and giggles, and asks "so what do I do? Click my name?" As simple as it may sound, it was unbelievable hearing her saying that and being able to say "yup, click your name." I could have passed out right there, and the interview would have been over. I didn't though, thankfully.
While Kelly was browsing the board under my account, she read through the "Love Again" thread and was so happy to read all the fans' positive feedback on the song. She must have said "aww" and "how sweet" about twenty times. Then, she came back to reality and says "Oh, I'm sorry... I'll look at all this later. Let's get to interviewing!"
So we did. I began by asking Kelly if she is planning to rerelease the album physically, and if we will in fact be getting the "Comeback" video. According to Kelly, there is a good chance of a physical rerelease internationally. She did not sound sure, but it definitely is a possibility. As far as the "Comeback" video, she commented that it is "hype" and ranted on about how she loves the video. Of course, I told her how all of the fans were loving the clip of the video and we cannot wait to see it in full. Everyone should be delighted to hear that we can expect to see it very soon.
Continuing on the topic of the rerelease, I asked Kelly what the next single will be after "Daylight." She immediately responded that it will more than likely be "Broken." Kelly said that everyone is telling her it has to be a single, and she absolutely loves the song. She also mentioned interest in releasing "Love Again" as well. The discussion of "Broken" prompted me to ask for some more details about the song. She told me that the song is a ballad that she fell in love with upon the first listen. Ms. Kelly told me that she recorded the song over and over again, at least eight times, because she wanted to make it perfect. "Broken" is clearly her favorite off the Diva Deluxe and I know we all cannot wait to hear it, on our iPods and the radio. And then I, being as forgetful as ever, finally pressed record....
Vinny: During the Destiny Fulfilled era, all the fans wanted "Through With Love" to be released. Did you and the ladies ever consider it as a single, and how would you imagine the video?
Kelly: Through With Love as a video. I would wanna see... gosh, probably like three different scenarios of relationships gone wrong, and all three of us showcasing acting skills and it would be really hot. But, scenarios and situations that people wouldn't expect us to be in. You understand what I'm saying? Like seeing one of us extremely angry when, you know, they're like "oh, she's always nice" -- you know what I mean? So, like, a complete opposite from our personality, you know? Something absolutely, just spastic (laughs)
Vinny: That's what we would expect! Another question is that before My Story, and then Ms. Kelly, were given titles, the majority of your fan base on DC3 Forever thought you should name the album Kelendria. Would you ever consider using your full name, and what do you think about the idea?
Kelly: That's a great idea, actually! I'm not mad at that at all.
Vinny: Yeah, because there are so many Kellys, like Kelly Clarkson and whoever else. You could be "Kelendria!" and that's it! Just one name!
Kelly: That is true. It's just so funny because I remember when I finally listened to my mom, you know, say "Kelendria!!!" and now when I hear Kelendria I feel like I'm in trouble. (Laughs) That's usually when she'd always say it. But um I love my name now that I'm older, you know? But I used to not like it as much... but I think it'd be a great idea for an album title.
Vinny: Do you plan to promote this rerelease heavily in the US? And are there any TV appearances that we need to look out for?
Definitely, I'm putting, well, not just myself, but um, between myself and the publicist from the label I'm trying to put together the next strategy to make sure that the record will catch great awareness, you know? So there will be awareness about the record, and there should be.
Yes, definitely, everyone needs to hear it because it's one of the best albums of 2007. (Kelly: Thank you!!) So, so you plan to hit the road and tour again? And if so, any idea when?
Yeah, I would like to do a tour in the states. I'd like for it to be very intimate and I'd like to do smaller venues so I can get a chance to actually look at my fans in the eye and sing to them. Almost the way Diana Ross used to do her shows, you know? I would love that.
Vinny: Well I'm hoping you come to New York, because I wanna see ya!
Kelly: Aww, thank you, I would love to come New York and do a show.
Vinny: Of course I'd love it as well. So, a lot of the great pop artists have done at least one serious, introspective album, for example Janet's Rhythm Nation, or MJ's HIStory. Do you think one day you'll do the same, and if so, what serious topics would you like to address?
Kelly: Say that one more time.
Vinny: (repeats)
Kelly: Oh gosh, I know for me, I always think about young people. How my heart goes out to young people in school. They're just growing up, dealing with peer pressure, just dealing with the growing pains period, you know what I mean? I would wanna do something that relates to young people and being positive and staying positive about themselves, about their future, about having healthy relationships in their lives. You know what I mean?
Vinny: Yup, like "Stole" was about us young people.
Kelly: Yeah!!!
Vinny: (laughs) I heard that you recently said at a concert that you recently had been thinking about leaving the music industry. We the fans love you so much and never want you to give up music. Why did you want to leave and are you still having these feelings?
Oh, wow... I forgot these are real fans. There are real great questions, really great questions. (Vinny: Thanks a lot) I remember after the record didn't do what I wanted it to do, or what I hoped for it to do as far as record sales I got really sad... um.. I knew that my fans who had been there would completely be supportive but, you know, I got a lot of flack about it from people who just honestly, I realize, were just miserable in their own lives so I was an easy target for them to just pick on. Um, but I must say that I no longer feel like that. I love music, I was just going through something you know what I mean? As far as just dealing with that. I'm really happy that I had great people around me to support me. I'm grateful to God that I have the best fans in the world, I say that everywhere I go, that, whenever I felt sad about the record I could, you know, go on my fansites or on a site that is just, you know what I mean, absolutely supportive of me of course, like this one is, and see all of this love and be like "what are you thinkin'??" (laughs) So that's like a really good feeling.
Vinny: Exactly. It's like, even if it doesn't sell a lot, who cares because it's about the music, and Ms. Kelly was the best album out in 2007.
Kelly: Aww, thank you!
Vinny: You're welcome. So, what can we expect for your next album? Do you have a direction in mind for it? And what artists and producers would you like to collaborate with on it?
Kelly: I know on the next record I definitely wanna work with Alicia Keys. I love Alicia Keys. She's an Aquarian as well! And I think that we would have great energy in the studio. So, her... will.i.am, and I don't know who else yet, but that's my dream list. Maybe Pharrell.
Vinny: Oh yeah! When you guys worked with him in the past it's always been great.
Kelly: Yeah! I love the way he flipped the Emotions Remix, it was just something so different and hot, you know?
Vinny: Yup, and now I have a question for you about Simply Deep, and something you wrote in DC's autobiography. ---- "The world needs to get in touch with a new side of Kelly - my inner rock chick. I imagine I will do at least one gospel song on my album, but the rest will be rock and roll. Rock with kind of a twist of R&B. I want to be like a female Lenny Kravtiz, (Kelly laughs) even though I can't play the guitar. ... As far as lyrics are concerned, I want to really talk about life. I want to give my take on everything thats going on in the world today... I also want to listen to a lot of older rock songs and try to bring that sound back but in a modern way." ---- However, apart from a few songs, Simply Deep doesn't fit that description, and Ms. Kelly of course is very urban. So, what happened to your "female Lenny Kravitz" aspirations?
Kelly: What happened to my Lenny Kravitz mission? Gosh, I don't know... (laughter) I think that, as an artist, you constantly wanna try something different, you know what I mean, and I definitely think that that's what happened. Around that time I was just really thinking about just going there as far as the rock sound is concerned. I felt like I did that with songs like Beyond Imagination, like, I remember listening to... I can't think of the name of the record he did about his mom, oh gosh, and another record that he did. When I did Beyond Imagination I had him in mind. But, I didn't wanna go too rock, you know what I mean?
Vinny: Do you think you're gonna incorporate some rock sounds in the future?
Kelly: Maybe!
Vinny: Like Gotsta Go, had the rock flare...
Kelly: Definitely, I mean, maybe... anything is possible.
Vinny: And then on "This Is Love" and "Every Thought Is You" you worked with Billy Mann who has done songs for P!nk and many other pop-rock artists. Were you alluding back to Simply Deep with that?
Kelly: Yeah, I love Billy Mann. Billy Mann actually has become one of my closest friends and we go in the studio together and we just have fun, try different things, and that's what I love about him. I'm happy that he actually almost makes me bring some of that rock chick out of me, you know?
So in the My Story sessions you did other songs like Back On, Can't Do It Again, Just Me---
Oh God! I can't believe you heard those records!!! (laughs)
Vinny: (laughs) Oh no, we didn't hear them..
Those are rough rough rough rough records!! (laughs)
Vinny: We're just wondering if we will ever hear them?
Kelly: Um, let's see.. which ones did you name again? You named "Back On..."
Vinny: Can't Do It Again, Just Me--
Kelly: I love Just Me, Just Me is a record that I wrote with a friend of mine Montina Cooper and um I remember when I wrote Just Me I was really vulnerable. so I don't know if I want anybody to hear that record. I'm really shy. I'm really shy on some records, because on all of those, I wrote all of those songs. So some songs are just, I guess they'll just always remain super super personal.
Vinny: Well, we did hear "What It Do," there was a clip of that song out.
Kelly: Huh?
Vinny: "What It Do." The song "What It Do," we had a clip of that.
Kelly: Did you???
Vinny: Yeah, on that umm.. I don't know where it came from, some website, Promosquad?
Kelly: Oh, okay!
Vinny; Lately you've mentioned painting as one of your hobbies. What do you usually paint, and do you plan on ever showing any of your paintings to the world?
Kelly: Gosh... no. No, um, cause um I'm really plain when it comes to painting. (laughs) I guess art is really an expression, a personal expression but for me, I just like to paint a canvas whatever color I'm feeling and then um, just try something out, you know? But I don't know if I'd ever showcase, I don't know, I'm a little too shy for that... I'll stick to singing!
Vinny: Well you do that very well. You like cooking as well, right?
Kelly: I loooove cooking!
Vinny: Ever think of a Food Network show, "Cooking With Ms. Kelly"?
Kelly: I don't know, that's an interesting thought. I know I wanna do The Paula Deen Show, I absolutely love her show. I never thought about my own cooking show 'cause I don't think I'm that good, I'm no Rachel Ray.. (laughs)
Vinny: So for the next album is there anything you would do differently as far as promo, image, or single choices?
Kelly: For me, um, I'm ready to do Ellen Show. I absolutely love Ellen so I'm ready to go and talk to her. Um.. I've actually been traveling all over North America pretty much. I'm going from state to state and city to city getting the record, the awareness of the record out there. Oh gosh, getting the chance to meet fans. You know what I mean? Fans are everywhere. That's a really good feeling, to finally see the face along with the names that you might see, you know?
Vinny: Your vocals on the new tracks "Love Again" and "No Man, No Cry" are just... fantastic, and you've improved a lot even from the already amazing vocals on the original Ms. Kelly. Have you been doing vocal training, or were you just holding back the goods for the Diva Deluxe?
Kelly: I've been training more, to be honest, um, I've been drinking a lot more water (laughs) and what else.. I guess that's it. And really wanting it to just be great everytime you know what I mean, so, maybe I was holding back before. I think you constantly learn more about yourself and your vocal ability.
Vinny: Well on "Love Again" the vocals are really good, really soulful. The vocals on there are just crazy...
Kelly: Thank you very much!
Vinny: In 2007, you said "This Is Love" was at least four years old... when exactly did you record it? Can you elaborate on that?
Kelly: Well, for one I was waiting till I did my record, a new record, a new Kelly record because I recorded the song after Simply Deep. I wanted to um wait, you know, I didn't wanna put it on the Destiny's Child record, I wanted to wait and save it for mine!
Vinny: Is there anything else, besides music and acting, that you want to try?
Kelly: Um, I'd eventually like to have my own daytime talk show.
Vinny: That'd be good, you have a great personality... all your video blogs, like everyone says you should have a reality show.
Kelly: Ohh, aww, I don't know about a reality show though. It was so funny I was talking to my road manager the other day, he was a interview with me, and somebody said "why don't you do a reality show" and he was like "c'mon the name of it could be Rolling with Rowland" I'm like "No!!" -- I thought that was a great idea for a title but everybody has a reality show. I think a daytime, you know, tv show would be awesome.
Vinny: That'd be great to see you on! When writing your songs, where do you begin?
Kelly: It really depends. I could sit out somewhere, like I'd probably be hanging out on my patio like tonight and listen to some tracks that I've been given and probably just let it go from there. Like sometimes you just think of something or you probably go to a really vulnerable place and pull from there, and it just kinda comes out, which is a really good feeling. I remember when I did "Still In Love With My X" in the studio, I will never forget this moment. It was myself and Lonnie Bereal in the studio together and um I remember I was listening to the track. I remember first feeling like, that, you know first that lump that you get in your throat before you cry?? I felt that. And then after that it was like all these feelings came up and it was like word vomit for "Still In Love With My X", I just said *sings* "I'm still in love with my ex," it was just as simple as that. And I remember I completely freaked out and started crying. For one because, you realize something like that and I'm like "Oh god! I hope I'm not!" Then two, being the fact that I love moments like that cause that's when... that's moments that I live for. You know what I mean, creatively, that's just amazing.
Vinny: Yeah well, the song turned out amazingly, all the fans love it, it's one of their favorites. We hope that the rest of the world will get to hear it.
"John": Okay, Mr. Vinny. One more question, we've got another person behind you.
Vinny: Okay, um, if you had to choose -- what's your favorite album of all time?
Kelly: My favorite album of all time... that's a hard one, Vinny. Ooh. Um... ohhh... uhhh... uhh... Whitney's Houston's umm, no, her first album. Her first album is uhh.. No! Man, this is hard. No, I'm sorry. Her and Marvin Gaye!
Vinny: Alright, well thank you Kelly, and thank you "John."
Kelly: Thank you Vinny! And we can talk whenever you want to... I mean that! "John," I mean that, so whenever he needs anything, let's just make sure. I don't care where I am, what time it is, let's just make sure. If the fans have any questions or anything like that I just wanna make sure I accommodate them first. They deserve that.
Thank you so much Vinny, and tell the fans that I love and appreciate them so much. I am nothing without them.
Vinny: And we love you too, Kelly.
Kelly: I love you guys back, bye.
compliments of Vinny of DC3Forever.
Could she be anymore amazing? How can you not rally behind someone like this? She deserves all the success in the world!!!
Work's on FIYAH!
The Streets - Dry Your Eyes 
Very strange 
!
