MEET FIVE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WITH FIVE VERY BEAUTIFUL VOICES, SET TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN MUSIC. MANAGED BY MUSIC MONGAL, LOUIS WALSH, AND WESTLIFE MEMEBER KIAN EGAN, HOT NEW GIRLBAND WONDERLAND ARE ABOUT TO TAKE THE CHARTS BY STORM! I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO INTERVIEW THE GIRLS FOR LIFE & STYLE MAGAZINE....read the full interview below
When X-Factor judge Louis Walsh, and Kian Egan from the phenomenally successful pop group, Westlife, joined forces in the search to create a new girl band, over 3,000 hopefuls turned out to audition. In 2008 the final line up was finalised with band members, Sharon Condon, Corrina Durran, Jodi Albert, Kasey Smith and Leigh Learmont; Wonderland was born. The last two years have been a whirlwind for the band having featured in an ITV2 documentary, appeared on primetime TV shows and have played to stadium audiences of nearly 85,000 whilst touring with Westlife. All this before their first single has even been released! Wonderland have been working with some of the best names in music creating songs for their new album and their debut single, ‘Not a love song,’ is set for release on 7th March Hayley Sparkes catches up with the girls to find out how it feels to be part of such an exciting new band!
Over 3,000 girls applied to audition for Wonderland, how did you all feel to have made it into the final line up?
Corrina, “It was so surreal. It was definitely the moment that changed my life. I felt so lucky to be picked as all the girls at the auditions were so talented it’s incredible to be part of this band. “
Leigh- “It was the most incredible feeling in the world! Singing and being in a band is what I had wanted since a little girl, so the fact that we were given this amazing opportunity was just so surreal. I had no idea at the time that these four girls would literally be my best friends and my family.
How has life changed since joining the band?
Jodi- “Everything is very exciting.. I feel like I have been given four sisters that I love so much. I just feel very lucky.”
Kasey- “Life has changed dramatically; I am getting to do what I love with four other amazing girls. Recording songs and going on tour it’s a big change from being at home and going to school.”
Sharon- “My life has changed in ways I could never even imagine. I can’t even explain all the emotions. But the Big change is that I am now living my dream.”
What has been your highlight so far?
Corrina-“Signing our record deal was such a highlight, it didn’t feel real. I wanted that my whole life and it actually came true.”
Jodi- “ALL OF IT! Ha ha! Going on tour is pretty amazing. Performing and singing live gives us such a buzz, so anytime we were in an arena, wow it was mind blowing!”
Sharon- “My highlight so far has to been watching our first music video back. Every time I watch it my eyes well up, I am such a big baby.”
What do you enjoy most about performing?
Corrina-“I like telling a story through our music and getting lost in the emotion of the song. I also love just having fun and looking beside me to see my girls at my side.”
Jodi- “Seeing people and trying to connect with them. Music is something the whole world has in common, so trying to reach out to someone just by singing a song that we love to sing is a special feeling.”
Leigh-: “I actually love everything about performing. The adrenaline rush before you go on, the audience reaction. I just enjoy singing our songs as we are extremely proud of them and we just want people to like them!”
Is there anything you don’t like about being in a band?
Kasey- “There are lots of early mornings, but once I have had a latte I am in flying form!”
Sharon- “There nothing that I dislike about being in the band, the only thing I find hard is being away from home so much.”
You have been together for two years now, you must be exciting that your first single is about to be released?
Corrina-“It’s so exciting. We are so proud of this song and have worked really hard on our album for the past two years so we can’t wait for people to finally hear what Wonderland is all about. We still can’t believe we have a first single to release...it’s crazy!”
Jodi- “It's a surreal feeling. We all can't really believe it's finally here. We have worked so hard and are all very attached to the song and the band in general.”
Kealey- “Oh my god we can’t believe it’s so close to releasing our single we are counting down the days.”
Who are your musical influences and idols?
Jodi- “Celine Dion,. Guns n roses. Rhianna, Beyonce. En vogue, the list is endless!”
Leigh- “Well I love so many different bands and singers but I would say The Beatles, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli peppers are my favourite. I also love John Mayer he's so talented! But a good song is a good song!”
Wonderland are managed by both Louis Walsh and Kian Egan, what is the best piece of advice they have given you?
Corrina-“They always just tell us to work hard and stay focused. They say "you get out what you put in" and it’s so true ...if u work hard you get good results”
Leigh- “To work hard and always be honest with each other, and we are! I think honesty is the best policy.”
Sharon-“To enjoy every moment and stay grounded.”
How would you describe the Wonderland sound?
Jodi- “Fleetwood Mac/bangles/Dixie chicks, The Corr...Wonderland!”
Leigh- “Well it's hard to categorise, but from who we have been compared to, I would say it's pop with a country / rock element.”
Sharon- “It is quite hard to describe your own sound, but we have been told we are like The Corrs, Bangles, and few others, all great compliments.”
What would you most like to achieve as a band?
Corrina-“We would love a successful, long lasting band. We would love to tour and sing all over the world! We would just love people to enjoy our music, that’s really important to us.
Kasey, “We would love to be touring around arenas everywhere and be going for the next 25 years or more maybe ha!”
You all have a great look, where do you like to shop?
Jodi- “I like to mix it up, high street and nice shoes.”
Leigh- “Why thank you!! Well my favourite shops are All Saints and Topshop, I love them, but I'm not too fussy, I just wear what I like and feel comfortable in.”
Kasey- “We like to shop in all types of shops anywhere we see anything we like, Zara, River Island and vintage shops are also great for unique pieces.
How do you keep in such great shape?
Jodi- “I don't know really... I'm a woman so I go though phases of being healthy and be naughty.”
Corrina- “ I just try and eat healthily and if I get a chance I love going for nice long walks, and the gym on the rare occasion.”
Sharon- “I try do the gym when I can but we are so busy it is hard to find the time to fit it in. I try to eat healthy and drink lots of water.”
Your schedule keeps you busy, but how do you relax in your spare time?
Kasey- “Oh I am the worst for relaxing on the couch watching movies. I also like to read a good book, I am reading one by Danielle Steel right now.”
Sharon- “Relaxing has to be a nice pedicure or a movie night with the girls. When I am back at home I like to just relax with my boyfriend and family. Very simple really.”
Jodi- “I love to just snuggle up on the couch, watch a good movie with my hubby and my doggie prince.”
Can you share with us some of your beauty secrets?
Corrina- “Never go to bed with your make up on. Use Vaseline on your eye-lids for a nice glow and never use foundation that is too dark for you.”
Leigh –“I like to exfoliate a few times a week, it keeps your skin really soft. I also believe that ‘less is more’.”
Sharon- “To be honest I just use loads of moisturiser, try get plenty of sleep when I can. Plus once your hair is styled everything else falls into place.”
If you weren’t singing, what do you think you would be doing?
Jodi- “My dream outside of this dream is to have loads of rescue animals and take care of them...make them happy.”
Kasey- “God I can’t imagine not being in wonderland. I’ve actually never actually thought of anything else but singing.”
What have you got planned for 2011?
Corrina-“To take over the world!”
Leigh-“To work realllllllllly hard with Wonderland. Hopefully bag a number one single and maybe do a parachute jump! I've always wanted to.”
Kasey- “To have a ball with my girls touring around the UK and Ireland with Westlife and Boyzone. Let the wonderland journey begin.”
To find out more about Wonderland, please visit www.wonderlandofficial.com
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