Alison Wheeler (The South) Interview

Singer Alison Wheeler has been with the Beautiful South and now the remaining band members The South since 2002, the band continue to play sold out gigs all over Europe and are back in Wales for what is sure to be a great night out. We caught up with Alison just before their gig at The Globe Cardiff.

W&W: Hi Alison, welcome back to Cardiff!

Alison: It's great to be back, always a great crowd at The Globe, always s great reception in Cardiff.

W&W: And The Globe is always a great party when you guys perform.

Alison: It is, the warmth off the people there, it's  always lovely.

W&W: You've been with the band since 2002, such a fun band and never a dull moment with these guys.

Alison: Haha.. yes and we've nicknamed this tour the Never A Dull Moment Tour, even yesterday Hammy was struck down with illness and had s bucket at the side of the stage. He kept going!

W&W: Why do you think the band are still so popular?

Alison: I think there's a bit of nostalgia with the songs and people always go away saying they didn't realise how many songs they knew, such a great back catalogue of songs. We have been real fortunate that the fans have stuck with us and still come out to see us.

W&W: Best gig you've ever done?

Alison: Um probably Rewind Festival in front of 40,000 people or opening for Robbie Williams with 90,000 fans. I had laryngitis and my songs were cut but still an awesome gig.

W&W: What music do you listen to?

Alison: I love big female stars like Madonna, I love how she's still going and changed over the years, Beyoncé, Barbara Streisand and jazz classics like Ella Fitzgerald.

W&W: Who would you most like to duet with?

Alison: Oooo Buble, I'd marry Michael Buble! I think my husband might have something to say about it. I love big band music and would love to perform big standard songs and preferably with Mr. Buble.

W&W: What other projects do you work on aside from The South?

Alison: I play in a band with a few university friends which is fun and we get paid with beer, I also write children's songs for fun. Songs about road safety and brushing your teeth haha it's all for fun.

W&W: The band was known for their off stage antics as much as their onstage, have things cooled with age or are they just as wild?

Alison: Ha.. they ain't changed! They are just the same still drinking and having fun. These guys have incredible stamina. You can play bass with a hangover but you can't sing so I don't Party as hard as them. 

W&W: Looking forward to seeing you perform at The Globe, I'm sure it will be a great party!

Alison: Yes, it always is when we are in Cardiff.