GuilFest 2006. The 3 Day Guildford Music Festival on 14th, 15th and 16th July 2006

Interview:

Artist: Daniel Bedingfield
By: Caroline Harrap
The Surrey Mirror [http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk ]
Read his Biography: [Daniel Bedingfield ]
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When Daniel Bedingfield broke his neck at the beginning of last year, there were those who wondered if he’d ever fully recover, let alone perform live again. Now completely back in the swing of things, he spoke exclusively to Caroline Harrap ahead of his forthcoming appearance at GuilFest 2005

Daniel Bedingfield is snuggled up under his duvet talking to me from the bedroom of his South London home. I know this not because I’m in the room, more’s the pity, but because he tells me so on his mobile phone. “Yeah, I’m sorry if I sound a bit tired,” he says, sleepily, his voice half muffled by the covers. “You see, the thing is, I’ve only just woken up and I’m actually still in bed...“Anyway, you now have my complete and undivided attention.” And, incredibly, I do.

Whether it’s to do with being half asleep, I don’t know, but he seems remarkably relaxed today and is definitely in the mood for talking...Pleasantries over and done with, we begin with his extraordinary and, let’s face it, rather unconventional rise to fame.

It all started, of course, back in 2001, with the unexpected garage hit, Gotta Get Thru This, which crept up on the British consciousness almost undetected. A song of self-belief, frustration and the first pangs of young love, it had sat undiscovered for months in A&R offices all over London . But then garage hotshot EZ decided to include it on the compilation album Pure Garage 4. Almost instantly, the track blew up everywhere from Brixton to Ayia Napa and propelled him straight to No.1 in the UK charts. “It was weird; I mean, I never expected anything to really come of it,” says Bedingfield, of the song he wrote and recorded in his bedroom. “I had no idea what was about to happen – not even an inkling.“It was being played in a few clubs and stuff, but there was a whole year of it sort of percolating through, though, before it really took off. “And then, of course, it went mad... “The whole thing was a wonderful shock really, and a beautiful introduction to the music business.”

After that first unexpected hit single, Bedingfield was snapped up by Polydor, and went on to confound the media with an astonishingly diverse debut album. In it, he mixed frenetic drum ‘n’ bass and understated classic balladry with funk, soul, ragga and pop. In the end, the album sprouted six hit singles including thee number ones: Gotta Get Thru This, If You’re Not The One and Never Gonna Leave Your Side.

His follow-up album, Second First Impression, another eclectic mix of styles, also received critical acclaim and generated further hits. Gone was the reputation of ‘garage guru’ – replaced with the new l abel of ‘internationally acclaimed singer songwriter’. So now that he’s a fully-fledged, bona fide pop star, just how does it feel to be at the top of his game? “It feels awesome,” he says simply. “It’s all been pretty exciting, though a bit disorientating too. “You know, not being able to walk down the street any more; not being able to trust people because they all want a piece of you – that’s pretty rough. “But then when I’m performing live, it all becomes worth it.

“It’s when I’m up there on a big stage and there’s a big crowd that I can most be myself; I can shout, I can run around, I can jump up and down – stuff that you just can’t do in real life. “You see, I’m actually a very hyperactive sort of person; I just have this manic energy all the time, so, yeah, being on stage is where I feel most at home. ”At this point, I feel obliged to remind him that he’s actually still in bed and it is, after all, half past ten in the morning. Not quite so much of the manic energy today then? “Okay, so I’m not really a morning person,” he concedes. “When I first wake up, well, put it this way, I’m a bit more chilled... “Generally, though, I think I’ve got quite an American personality – I like to do everything big and loud, which is why I love being a performer.”

Born in New Zealand in 1979, the Bedingfield family moved to Lewisham, South London , when little Daniel was just three months old. His parents, both social workers, were hugely supportive of his love of music and, by the age of six, he was writing his own songs. And, presumably, there must have been something in the blood because, not far behind him, his little sister was following in his footsteps too.

Fastforward to last summer, and no sooner had we familiarised ourselves with one of the Bedingfield clan, than another arrived in the form of Natasha, 23, who was catapulted into the spotlight on the back of her hit single, Unwritten. The talented pair are now roughly equal in terms of their profile in the industry, so is there any rivalry between them? “Actually, there isn’t,” says Bedingfield, who duetted with his sister at the last Brit Awards. “I mean, I think there could be if we were brothers, but girls just don’t seem to be as competitive as boys. “If one of us gets an award, we’re just like ‘yeah, that’s great’.“In any case, we’re really close and we get on brilliantly.

“We’ve lived together for the past four years and I really value my relationship with her.”Never was Bedingfield so glad of that relationship – and, indeed, the close ties he shares with the rest of his family – as in January of last year when he almost lost his life in a horrific car crash.

On holiday in Auckland , New Zealand , he had to be cut free from the wreckage of his jeep after suffering a broken neck in the accident. The recovery was a long and painful one; he had to have a metal frame bolted into his skull for three months and endured a tough course of physiotherapy. “I had quite a miraculous escape really,” admits Bedingfield. “And the only way I got through the whole thing was with the prayers and support of my family and friends, who were all really there for me.

“It’s funny, though, because sometimes I think I’m a bit of a weirdo, and I should have been more affected by the whole thing than I actually was. “The thing is, I was really quite fascinated by the medical side of it – I’m quite interested in that sort of stuff – and I just focused on that. “But sometimes I am a little dismayed by the lack of trauma I experienced. “I just hope it’s not all stored up somewhere waiting to come out in six months time. ”Though he has made a full recovery from his injuries, he still bears the physical scars from the accident, and there are other side effects too.

“Since the crash, my memory is not what it was, so it’s hard to keep up with things sometimes,” he admits, “especially having such a busy schedule. “Like the other day, for instance, I introduced the same girl to my mum twice.“In fact, I’d say that since the accident, the top five per cent of my ability to multi-task has just gone.”

He remains philosophical, however, about the terrible ordeal he endured. Indeed, he says, if anything, he feels he has come out of the whole thing a much stronger person. “My whole approach has changed,” he says. “Now I’m just really enjoying life and taking things as they come. “It’s the small things I appreciate now – a blade of grass, a loaf of bread, a kiss...”On that subject, I seize the moment and ask him how on earth he manages to fit girlfriends into his manic schedule. After all, it can’t be easy when your career takes you all over the world. “It’s about having your priorities straight,” says Bedingfield. “It’s as simple as that. “I’m single at the moment, but I do manage to go on dates, because I make the time to. “I also manage to see my mates quite often as well, which I’m very proud of. ”No doubt a fair few of them will also be making the effort to come and see him this summer too – at one of his many live festival dates.

And one of the highlights, no doubt, will be his appearance at GuilFest in Stoke Park , Guildford , on Sunday July 17. Bedingfield says he’s looking forward to returning to the festival where he first performed two years ago, and is promising he’ll be belting out all his many hits with his usual gusto.“What can I say? I can’t wait!” says Bedingfield.

“Festivals are my favourite sort of gigs; I just love that whole vibe. “I’m really looking forward to it”. And will he be hanging around to catch some of the other acts at the festival; maybe even bringing a tent along? “Yeah, quite possibly,” he says. “Whenever, I play a festival I always try and see some of the other acts – you know, don a stupid hat and some wellies and just get out there in the crowd!”

As for the rest of this year, he says a lot of will be spent out in New Zealand writing new material, and doing what he loves best, of course, performing live. So after all that he’s achieved over the past couple of years, are there any ambitions that he still has left? “I want to be the best grandfather ever,” he says. “And, at my funeral, I want all my mates to say ‘his beer fridge was always open’. “And I’d like to have a good chat with Bob Dylan; oh yes, and lead the way in a pioneering new type of music; you know, a whole new scene like punk. “And I want to fill a stadium too; yeah, that’d be cool.”In the meantime, though, he’s got far more important matters to contend with – like climbing back under that duvet and going back to sleep.

- Daniel Bedingfield will play on the BBC Radio2 Main Stage at GuilFest on Sunday July 17. For ticket information, call the box office on 01483 454159 or visit the website at www.guilfest.co.uk

Soundbites with Daniel Bedingfield:

What was the last album you bought?

The last album that I bought was the new one by System Of A Down, which was actually a bit disappointing. Before that, it was the Eels, which I love. I listen to a massive range of stuff and have very eclectic tastes.

What’s your favourite clothes shop?

Urban Outfitters in Los Angeles .

Which national newspaper do you read?

Whenever I buy a paper, I tend to get about five, as I don’t trust one individual paper and like to get a rounded view of events.

What’s your favourite book?

Orson Scott Card wrote a brilliant book called Ender’s Game. I first read it about five years ago and it’s one of the most interesting science fiction books that I’ve ever read.

What was the last film that you saw?

Star Wars, which I’ve seen twice already. Like everyone else, I thought the script was awful but we kind of knew that was coming. I would still see it again.