Feeds
How are you finding life as a recording artist?
"I'm really proud of the album I've made, but I'm really quite anxious about it because obviously it's my first album."
You've covered a wide range of songs on the album - everything from the Stones to the Sugababes. How did you decide which songs you wanted to cover?
"I just sat down with the guys at (my label) Polydor, and decided what songs it would be best for me to sing, really. Some of the songs on the album are very, very different, but there are similarities in their arrangements. Most of the songs have got strings going through them. 'Stronger', the Sugababes track, has been completely reworked - it's got a real live band feel to it. It was just nice to sing so many great songs - there are four or five covers, and five new songs on there too."
And Gary Barlow's written a song for the album. How did that come about?
"Well, he came along to the show with his kids and really enjoyed himself. Then, off the back of that, he agreed to put a song on the album. It's so wonderful for me as a new artist to be given a song from such a big, established songwriter. The song's called 'When I Need You The Most' and it's a really nice ballad."
You've covered David Essex's 'Gonna Make You A Star' for the first single. Are you having a cheeky wink at your fans with that song?
"It's quite a funny lyric, isn't it? I don't think there's any particular meaning behind the song - it's just a feel-good, cheeky, fun song. You can make of it what you want, I think."
But when you sing the line "Well I know I'm not super hip and I'm liable to take a slip", isn't it all a bit tongue-in-cheek?
"Yeah, I quite like the line, because it's very me, isn't it? I try not to analyse the song too much, though."
How did you find time to record the album while performing eight times a week in Joseph?
"It was really hard - I've been so tired recently. I was in the recording studio from 10 o'clock in the morning to 5 o'clock in the evening, and then obviously I'd have a show in the evening. The key was that I tried really hard to look after myself."
Why did you decide to release the album now?
"Well, it was six months since Any Dream Will Do, and I thought it was just the perfect time. I didn't want to make the fans wait any longer. You know, I'm learning as I go along with this: I'm writing songs, playing guitar and hopefully I'll get to make some more albums."
Do you use your voice differently when singing pop to when you're belting out a show tune?
"I do, yeah. It's still me and my voice, but I have had to adapt for musical theatre because it's a very certain style. When I'm doing the show, I'm playing a character, whereas I'm being me on this album. It's got more of a relaxed feel."
Who do you see as your chart rivals?
"I don't really see anyone as my rivals. There are loads of artists that I respect and look up to, but I don't want to compare myself to them. I think it's important that I find my own stamp and try to be an individual. As for rivals, I think it's easy to get too competitive; you've got to remember that the recording industry's a huge market - there's space for lots of us. I just wanted to make my album, put it out there and see how it was received."
How important are your sales figures to you?
"I think it's nice to sell lots of records and have number ones - success is a great thing - but for me, primarily, it's about making music that I enjoy singing and people enjoy listening to. That enthusiasm has got to come across, you know."
How long do you think you'll stay in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat?
"I'm signed for another year, until October, so let's see what happens after that, really. It depends on how the show's doing and what happens with this album. I've got some TV things in the pipeline too - it's a very exciting time for me. You'll just have to wait and see."
If someone - i.e. Digital Spy - made you choose between musical theatre and pop, which one would you pick?
"I couldn't choose really - is that bad? Certain performers can only do one style, but I've been lucky enough to work in different areas. The fact that I can diversify and do both means an awful lot to me. I could never decide between them!"
Oh, go on!
"If I was better at one or the other, or more passionate about one than the other, I'd say. The truth is that they're equally important to me."
Lee Mead's self-titled debut album is out now on CD and download.
