[ ClassicalX ] Classicalx interviews All Angels

TIPPED to be the Christmas number one, the world's first all-female classical supergroup 'All Angels' are hitting all the right notes. Classicalx caught up with the four teenage girls to find out whether life is like heaven or hell!

Melanie, did any of you know each other before you came together in the group?
No, none of us knew each other before June this year when it all started. I was so nervous about meeting the other girls but clearly I had nothing to worry about!
Now that you have had chance to get to know each other, what characteristics do you admire in each of your fellow group members?
I love the fact that with Charlotte she can put a smile on your face and instantly cheer you up. I really admire Daisy for incredible knowledge of so many different genres of music especially jazz and whenever she sings a song she makes it her own. As for Laura, well she gives the best cuddles ever and is the best Disney singing partner! But I love them all so much and am so glad this has all happened. ;; ;;

Daisy, what has been the hi-light of your career so far?
As a group, singing at The Royal Albert Hall for the Queen, Tony/Cherie Blair and The Armed Forces at the incredibly moving Festival Of Remembrance. Before the group, making my jazz CD ‘Simply Jazz’, being in Cameron Mackintosh’s production Les Miserables and going on Stars in their Eyes kids!

Laura, as last year's winner of the Chorister of the Year, what was it like for you to go back this year as a special guest and perform to this year's contestants?
Amazing! Especially in the abbey.
And is there any advice would you give this year's winners?
Enjoy every minute and keep smiling.

Charlotte, how much input did you have into the tracks on your album?
We had a relatively large amount of input with the songs. Obviously there were tracks that just had to go on the album such as silent night and the flower duet, as they are classics and sell very well. But the single, songbird, was a favourite of a lot of us, especially Kathryn our manager. We also could say no to some of the tracks if we felt they didn’t work. It was a collaboration between us, parents and the record company.

Melanie, it can't be easy to choose, but do you have a favourite track from your new album?
It’s really hard to decide but I would say that one of them is 'Barber’s Agnus Dei' because that the most challenging piece for all of us but we are all really proud with the end result. I also really like 'Steal Away' because I think that it is a song that is full of emotion and I really enjoy singing close harmony with the other girls.

Daisy, are you planning a tour in the near future?
Hopefully we could go to Japan! But our A Levels are looming and it’s quite hard to fit it all in!
Artists are now performing in much more varied venues, like castles and cathedrals when touring. Where would your ideal, venue / location to perform at?
Well Carnegie Hall in NYC would be amazing, but singing in a wood cabin in the Scottish Highlands would be cool, or in an ice bar!

Charlotte, how do you manage to stay level headed and still enjoy your teens whilst trying to establish a career within the music industry?
For me it just is brilliant. If anything it has helped me getting through teens! I feel a bit more confident, and we have met so many people and done so many things I don’t think I could not be level headed! Anyway, my friends would never let me be bigheaded so I am fine!

Melanie, your repertoire ranges through classical, opera choral and pop. Each genre must have its vocal challenges, but which do you prefer to perform?
I really enjoy singing all the genres but particularly enjoy performing opera because you can show such emotion through the songs and also because there is an element of acting involved which is really fun to do.

Daisy, each of you were accomplished choristers before All Angels were formed. What drew each of you towards singing and at what age?
At aged 9 I auditioned for Les Miserables and got Cosette- which was amazing. I continued singing lots of Jazz and musical theatre and started classical voice lessons at 13 after singing as a chorister (6 services a week) in Edinburgh.

Melanie, if you could work together with another artist who would it be?
It would be an honour to sing with someone like Bryn terfel, Kiri te kanawa or someone like Jose Gonzalez or ray la montagne and if they were alive, Maria callas or Ella Fitzgerald.

Charlotte, away from music what are your hobbies / interests?
I think my main love is listening to music and playing and singing it, though I really love acting and have done a bit at school and out of it. But also I really enjoy art and have recently also discovered roller blading. Which I am not very good at but really enjoy! I am hoping to start again, when the weather is warmer, and not fall over so much.

Melanie, if you had to take part in a Celebrity reality TV show which one would it be?
Celebrity Love Island because they get to live in luxury on a Caribbean island but I would have to be able which male celebrities could go on it like Brad Pitt!

Charlotte, what do you want for Christmas / what will you be doing for Christmas?
I will be at home with all my family most likely sitting by the tree waiting for my lazy brother and sister to wake up so we can open presents. I would really like some good music for Christmas, and a HUGE Christmas lunch.

JUST FOR FUN!

Laura:
Pepsi / Coke
Summer / Winter
Gucci / George
Cinema / DVD
Johnny Depp / Orlando Bloom
Nokia / Samsung
Eastenders / Coronation Street
Gold / Silver
McDonalds / KFC
Cat / Dog

Melanie:
Pepsi / Coke – Coke definitely!
Summer / Winter That’s a tough one but if I really had to choose it would be summer.
Gucci / George – George of course!
Cinema / DVD – Give me a good DVD, some Ben and jerry’s ice cream and a sofa and I’m in heaven!
Johnny Depp / Orlando Bloom -Its got to be Johnny depp
Nokia / Samsung – Nokia all the way
Eastenders / Coronation Street -We do love a bit of Eastenders
Gold / Silver -Gold!
McDonalds / KFC I’m gonna go with KFC
Cat / Dog –It’s got to be dogs

Daisy:
Pepsi / Coke
Summer / Winter
Gucci / George
Cinema / DVD
Johnny Depp / Orlando Bloom
Nokia / Samsung
Eastenders / Coronation Street
Gold / Silver
McDonalds / KFC
Cat / Dog

Charlotte:
Pepsi / Coke: COKE by far.
Summer / Winter
Gucci / George
Cinema / DVD
Johnny Depp / Orlando Bloom Obviously Johnny Depp!
Nokia / Samsung
Eastenders / Coronation Street
Gold / Silver
McDonalds / KFC SO hard… MacDonalds because the chips are better.
Cat / Dog

'All Angels' the album is out now. 'Angels' the Christmas single in partnership with The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is out 18 December at all good music outlets.