UncategorizedHOUSTON, WE HAVE A SISTER!

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A SISTER!

With Whitney, Cissy, Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick (not to mention Aretha Franklin in the mix, too, as Godmother) the Houston family is to music what the Kennedys are to politics…

 

Cliff Joannou meets the latest sibling vying for pop superstardom, Alexis Houston

Welcome to the UK! You’re here promoting the new album. How is it going? 

It’s been an amazing few weeks. The audiences and fans have been nothing short of supportive and loving. The schedule is full with performing in a different city almost every night, so it’s great to feel the love of the audience.

Tell us about the album…

The album ‘Speak Love…’ is my journey through life thus far put into song… a musical autobiography, of sorts. I wrote about love in its various forms and how it impacted my life, and the lessons I’ve learned from these experiences. Personal, yes but I wanted to be open and candid with my audience. I wrote and produced all the songs on the album – with the exception of ‘Free’. [And] I teamed up with UK remixers, The Wideboys and Digital Dogs for some amazing remixes of tracks, ‘Change’ and ‘Actions’. These are all love songs but not your typical romantic tear-jerkers… I sing about love hoped for, love celebrated, love gone wrong… the loss of a loved one and coming to terms with loving myself.

When did you decide to record an album? 

I’ve been singing all my life but I never envisaged a life as an actual performer. I was content to remain in the background as a session singer, writing and producing… anonymity has its benefits. [Laughs] However, after meeting with Paul Russell, a former top exec at Sony ATV Music Publishing, I was spurred on to record the songs I was writing for other artists.

Where is home for you? 

New Jersey is home for me, although I’m in LA a great deal now. London was my adopted home for many years, and I try to get back at least a few times a year.

What are your favourite places here?

I try to spend time with my mates when I’m here. A good pub crawl, curry dinner or Nando’s feast with friends is all I need. [Laughs] I’m not a big shopper but I cannot resist giving a home for the hundreds of poor orphaned shoes out there… Have shoes… I will buy.

We have to talk about your celebrity connection. You’re a relation of Ms Whitney Houston! We’ve read about all sorts of connections online… can you outline how you are both related to clarify the rumours please?

Whitney and I share a father and a love for this business of music. Like many other young female singers we have been blessed by the legacy she has created and we all aspire to achieve in our own right.

When was the last time you saw her? 

I saw her at the funeral of Dee Dee Warwick, soul singer and sister of Dionne. We got up at the altar with other choir members to honour Dee Dee with song. Our paths are moving quickly in different directions so we don’t see each other much at all.

Were you in contact much in the past? 

There’s almost a 20 year difference, in addition to being raised in different households, so I have never spent a great deal of time with her. I love dearly and cheer her every forward move.

There are all sorts of rumours on the internet that you used to be a man or you are a gold-digger looking to cash in on Whitney’s fame. How do you feel about those statements?

I’ve read them and had to answer the rumours ad nauseum. They hurt at times it is amazing how ridiculous they are. At times I have taken the Lady Gaga approach and said “so what!” However, I’m a woman, been one all my life. I work too hard to be a gold-digger and I don’t talk about Whitney unless I’m pressed to do so. People on the outside seem more concerned about bringing up the connection more than I do. A major part of this tour is to get out in front of the rumours and allow people to meet me, Alexis Houston, a new recording artist and musician.

Amen! Finally, you’re performing at Super Love for Soho Pink Sunday. How do you find the reaction from the gay fans to your music?

I’ve performed at Reading, Essex and Manchester Prids…fantastic audiences and performing experiences for my troupe. They have embraced this little girl and my music with open arms as I have embraced them for the wonderful men and women they are. This past year’s experiences have made me even more conscientious about equality and fair treatment of others no matter how different they may be from myself. We are all in this together!
Alexis Houston performs at Super Lovers (Profile and Lo-Profile, 84-86 Wardour Street, Soho, W1F 0TQ) on Sunday 18th September, 10pm-3am.

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