What a life...

article from Young Times, 16 May 2000

Thanks to Melanie for this article!

...it must be to see five singles in your debut album zoom to the No 1 spot. The thing is, Westlife are living it. Edward D'Mello spoke to the world's latest boy band sensation during their visit to Dubai last week...

There is a certain electricity in the air as they walk into the interview room. All around the venue, a sea of girls, holding on to their autograph books, scream for a glimpse of their fave pop stars. They had been preparing for this for weeks in advance. Tough-looking bodyguards brush aside all their hopes of getting close. Forget about touching them.
For members of Westlife, Ireland's new bestselling pop act, scenes such as these are now passé. Everywhere they have gone, the angelic-looking boys with the powerhouse vocals have been mobbed by people as young as the teen next door to grandmothers in their 80s. But therein lies their power ...their music appeals to people of all ages.
Westlife are definitely a band that has made a difference to the otherwise staid pop scene that had been dominated by boy bands and girl bands. And with reason, too. Five singles from their self-titled debut album have zoomed straight to the No 1 position, something the boys weren't prepared for.
The famous five ...Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Bryan McFadden ...find it difficult to describe their excitement and surprise over being propelled to such instant superstardom.
On assignment for Young Times, I catch up with them while they are chilling out after a much-desired break at the beach, away from the milling crowds. A day earlier they had performed in a sold-out concert at the Dubai Country Club.
They have a flight to catch in less than an hour, and Kian, the most serious looking of the five, pleads with his tour manager with a just-this-interview-look-okay?look. and as the manager reluctantly obliges, Kian and Mark break into a wide grin that has now become their signature.

Young Times: It has been a year since Swear It Again went straight to the top of the charts. What do you think of the year in retrospective?
Kian: It's been a spectacular year. I fail to find words to mention how surprising it has been. We knew we were making good songs but when they took the No 1 position, we were really excited. Earlier, we thought no one would take us seriously because we were just newcomers. But all our hard work has been well respected by the music industry.
Mark: When its something that instantly makes you super celebrities from nobodies, you cannot describe the feeling. Ever since Swear It Again became the No 1, the mailbox has been flooded. We get mail from all over the world from people who are old enough to be our grandmothers. This has certainly excited us because we earlier thought that we would do just well in the UK.

YT: What did you think of the UAE's music lovers during your concert yesterday?
Kian: Contrary to our expectations, we found Dubai's music-loving community quite vibrant. The awareness about Westlife and our songs was (sic) quite high, and we were pleased to be playing to such an appreciative audience. Most of the time, we found them chanting along with us. It's this kind of appreciation that makes me come back for more.
Mark: Yeah! We will definitely be back! Dubai provides the right environment for acts such as ours. I believe that was the reason for our debut album doing exceptionally well here.

YT: Your debut album has done quite well worldwide. How does it feel to be sitting on top with five Number 1 singles?
Kian: Its been amazing. Like I said earlier, we weren't prepared for such a scenario. We thought perhaps one or two of them would make it to the top 50 or maybe top 20. But when they were chosen No 1, we couldn't take it. It was an exhilarating feeling. And I would like to take the opportunity to thank our listeners, especially those in Dubai, for making our album such a success.

YT: How did it feel when you became the opening act for Boyzone and the Backstreet Boys? Any memorable experience?
Kian: We were glad to be recognised by Boyzone's Ronan Keating and their manager Louis Walsh. In fact, Ronan has played a big role in our success. Boyzone have been quite of us all through the tour and have always given us useful tips on our careers. Boyzone made sure that we got equal importance during all their shows. And this was before any of our albums made it to the No 1 slot.
Mark: They have encouraged us all along. In fact, now that we are touring on our own, we are extending that same support to all the opening acts who join us. Music is such a wonderful thing ...we have got the best from the best, and we would give it to the upcoming artistes and help them in their careers.
Kian: Backstreet Boys and Boyzone have worked hard to achieve their success, and they will always continue to inspire young acts such as ours.

YT: The Boyzone influence on your music is quite apparent. Your comments.
Mark: There are lots of comparisons between Boyzone and us. But that is unavoidable because Ronan and Louis are our managers. They have guided us and helped us all along. However, we have evolved our own brand of music, and the success speaks for itself.

YT: Now that you can tour on your own, who would you like your support act to be?
Mark: (Laughs): Backstreet Boys or perhaps, Spice Girls. Hahaha!
Kian: Seriously, we don't have a regular support act. We have different acts in the different venues we have performed. But we have worked with some of the most brilliant talent, and I know for sure that many of them will strike it big when the time comes.

YT: What about the controversy with Mel C? Did it create problems between you two?
Kian: Actually, the newspaper report attributed me to calling Mel C macho. But that's all false. Mel's a sweetheart. She's fun. I don't know how that story originated in the first place. I met Mel backstage later and told her: "Listen, Mel, that story is not true. I did not say anything about you." We didn't need to clarify our position because she is quite broadminded and understood our point. We are the best of friends, and I personally think that the Spice Girls have inspired an entire generation.

YT: In less than a year of star success, you have already had a few controversies. According to an article, your manager, Louis Walsh, once scolded you for smoking. How far is that story true?
Kian: Again that is not true. We have always maintained a clean image. All of us are non-smokers and teetotallers, but that's all out of our own choice. We know Westlife are idolised by a lot of young people, and we would not like ourselves setting a bad example to them.

YT: What about reports that you have a contract that prevents the band members form getting married or from having children?
Kian: That's all over-exaggerated. We don't know where that report originated from. We have all the freedom, though none of us, with the exception of Nicky (Byrne), have a girlfriend. (Nicky's girlfriend is Georgina Ahern, who is the daughter of the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern.) I would be devastated if such restrictions were imposed on my personal life.
Mark: We have had girlfriends on and off. But now we are just concentrating on our careers and we do not know when we would settle down for a family life. But basically, we come from good families and we really cherish family values. But otherwise, we haven't had the time to think about having girlfriends and getting married.

YT: Do you plan to make a Christmas album?
Kian: Yeah, the album is due to release later this year. We have already lined up many good tracks ...some traditional and some of our own. I am sure our fans worldwide are going to enjoy listening to that.

YT: Who's your favourite artiste?
Kian: We all have different tastes but we all like Michael Jackson. That's one thing in common. He's outstanding. Some of us like the Backstreet Boys, Bryan Adams, Boyzone and Take That.