[ November 7, 2003 ]
Express and Star: Gaze for Lady Wheeler
Express and Star
Fix a Gaze for South's 'Lady'
Nov 7, 2003
By Pete Carroll
Courtesy of Julia Grant
She'd been on the fringes of the music business for more than a decade - so when the call came to join of the UK's favourite bands, Alison Wheeler didn't need a second invitation.
"I must have thought about it for about a nanosecond before saying yes," she says recalling the time when she was asked to join the Beautiful South.
She was 'discovered' by band member Dave Hemingway after working on a solo project of his as part of a gospel choir.
She had also been a member of melodic indie female trio Virginia who were once memorably described as "Crosby, Stills & Nash - only with better legs."
In addition to this she was working in the marketing department of BMG Records and taking every session singing opportunity that came her way.
Hemingway asked if he could put her forward to join the band two years ago and she had all but given up hope that the offer would come good. Then she received a call out of the blue in January asking if she was still interested.
"I've learned now that time scales in musicians' terms are completely different."
She took a holiday and on her return found a tape and letter from Paul Heaton asking her to go and meet the band.
"They already knew what I sounded like - I think it was just a case of seeing if I could get on with the rest of the band, because that's important to them."
She joined officially in April and, after just three weeks' rehearsal, began work on The Beautiful South's new album Gaze. Then the video for the new single was filmed and the band kicked off their latest UK tour on Wednesday.
"After 12 years of trying suddenly everything was going at double speed."
Alison, already dubbed 'Lady' Wheeler because she has a degree in law and Japanese from Cambridge University and prefers gin to beer, is a seasoned performer and has no qualms about playing the larger venues that the band are capable of filling.
"We've done a few warm-up shows and they have really helped me fell part of the band."
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