Tina Arena Spectacular
The French may have adopted her as their 'petit bijou', but Aussie icon Tina Arena still pines for a glorious Sydney summer with her family and friends, as she tells Andrew Georgiou.
By Andrew Georgiou
How did you enjoy your recent tour in Sydney?
Fantastic, I had a ball and just can’t wait to come back. It will
be just lovely to get outside and for my little fella to get out in the sun a
bit and run around like a maniac.
Your new album, Songs Of Love and Loss, is a tribute to some of
the best songwriters of the last century. Was it a challenge deciding on which
tracks to include?
Darling, it was the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life. These
are songs that mean something to me, that have always been very poignant in my
life. The process just flowed.
I once knew a lesbian who broke up with her girlfriend and
played ‘Chains’ on repeat for 72 hours as a way of grieving. How did you get in
so thick with the gay community?
Perhaps it’s my subject matter (laughs). I have always had this
strong affinity with the gay and lesbian community which I’ve been around since
I was really young. They have been incredibly supportive of everything I have
ever done, and I understand them.
You flooded the queer dance floor with your club hit ‘Never’ in
2003. We saw a very different side of Tina, and you struck yet another chord
with your gay fan base. Will we see more of that again?
I’ll always do different things. It’s very important to me to
creatively diversify. I spoke with Ray Roc recently and he was recalling how
that track was a monster on the dance floor. If I was offered something like
that again I would certainly do it.
What did you take from your experience of performing at the
Mardi Gras in 2005?
Well, I was pregnant at the time and didn’t know it.
Possibly the only person there that night in that situation.
Umm, yes. (She turns to son Gabriel.) Darling you were at the 2005
Mardi Gras. Remember I keep telling you about the great drag and all your gay
uncles going off.
Would you accept an invitation to do a Mardi Gras again?
Of course I would. Mardi Gras is such a brilliant event, I just
love it. It’s very well done and they take the time to present something
visually spectacular. The creativity that goes into staging it is brilliant.
What’s a great Sydney day out for Tina and her boys?
Wondering around, having some lunch around Bondi. My whole family
loves the water. Australia is so great for getting outdoors.
I think of Young Talent Time as having nurtured Aussie talent.
Do you believe today’s music reality show’s and competitions explore or exploit
Aussie talent?
I don’t think their intentions are as honourable as they used to
be. There is a different agenda, because the world is a different place now.
The Chaser did a skit on your court case surrounding your fight
to own the name TinaArena.com. They suggested it would be easier if you just
changed your name to Telstra Arena. Do you still find Aussie larrikin humour
funny?
That is hilarious! Absolutely, I find that funny. You have got to
laugh at that, I mean come on! I will take that as a complete compliment. Why
wouldn’t you?
Will you come home more often or even base yourself here?
I would love to, we are looking into it, just trying to see what
the situation is. We have to play it by ear, and although we are OK in France
at the moment, I doubt that it’s the final stop. The final stop will be six
feet under babe.
Tina Arena’s new album ‘Songs Of Love and Loss’ is out now
through EMI.
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