Geneva

Geneva

Geneva first became known when she was placed in girl-band Belle Amie on last year's series of The X Factor.

The band didn't win, and earlier this year Geneva announced her departure from the group as she seeks to continue her solo career.

We caught up with her just after a writing session for her solo album, and chatted about her single, The X Factor and her time in a band with Ed Sheeran.

-How was the writing session, then?
It's going good. We've actually just come up with a new song, which was good. I've pitched it to the producers.

-How was the 'Karma' launch party on Saturday?
It was really good. It was successful, there were quite a few people interested. Chelsea football team were there, and JLS, so that was exciting. I had a really good night.

-How's the reaction to the single been so far?
It's been really good, it's been a positive response. The fans really like it, which is good. They've been really supportive, which has made it easier for me to feel accepted, you know. It's good.

-For people who maybe haven't checked it out yet, how would you describe it?
I'd say it's got quite a retro vibe to it. I'm trying to keep the whole live, old-school music into the sound of me. It's who I am, that's who I like and those are my influences.

-You've got a few London dates coming up. Are you looking forward to those?
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to them. The 13th September, I'm headlining in Fulham, and that's going to be a big night for me. It's going to be my first headline gig, 45 minute set. There's going to be a lot of people there.

Then, in October, the 19th, I've also got an acoustic gig where I'll be playing some exclusive tracks from my album.

-You mentioned the first full headline show. Are there any nerves ahead of that?
I'm a little bit nervous, but I think it's more excitement than anything, because I love performing. That's what I love most about my job, so it's more excitement than anything.

-Given that your profile rose during The X Factor, do you think people will be surprised at the way your career's going?
I think so, I think it's different. It's not what they'd expect from someone that's come off The X Factor. It's who I am, that's what I want people to see. I want people to see the real me.

-Is that what led to you leaving Belle Amie then?
Yeah, it was really. I felt that it wasn't for me. Being in a girl band's not for everyone, I suppose. As fun as it was - I had an amazing time, it was a great experience - it just didn't feel right for me.

-What did you think after your solo audition when you were asked to group together as Belle Amie?
Well, obviously in that situation, you're not going to turn it down. It's a way to get onto the show and experience what happened. It was amazing. I didn't think twice about it. I put my solo career on hold for that.

-How was the whole X Factor experience for you?
It was amazing, it was really exciting - quite nerve-wracking as well. It was very stressful, cos you're constantly working and rehearsing, going through everything. It's very tiring, but you learn a lot from it. I've taken so much away from it. I've met so many people. It's been good all-round.

-Apparently you used to be in a band in Ed Sheeran?
Yeah, we were briefly in a band together. We went to ACM together, and we were picked by the school. We were in a band for about 4 or 5 months.

We rehearsed together, and did tracks they'd give us to do. Ed Sheeran went off to do his album, and he's been amazing. He had his launch party on Monday, which went down really well.

-How does it feel now, given how well both of you are doing?
It's quite surreal, really. It's weird, cos having started off at ACM going there for an education, and suddenly being where we are now. It's quite uplifting, I suppose.

-Do you think you'd ever collaborate with Ed again in the future?
I'd love to collaborate with him in the future, definitely.

-You mentioned The X Factor putting your solo career on hold. What sort of stage was it at before the show?
Well, I was trying to get somewhere. I was in a band. After being in a band with Ed Sheeran, someone else came in. We did a lot of stuff together, function gigs.

I wanted to do some original stuff. We got some stuff together, but at the same time it was only to make money. So, it wasn't really a career. The X Factor was definitely an amazing platform to get me started.

-Do you find it easier working as a solo artist rather than being in a band?
Yeah. Definitey, it is. You have a lot more freedom, creatively, and you can experiment with a lot of different sounds. It is much better, definitely. Being in a group, you have to hold back for each of the personalities in the group to shine through.

-What are you hoping to achieve with the solo career?
I see success as happiness, so as long as I'm happy doing what I'm doing, that's the main thing.

Female First - Alistair McGeorge


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