Freefallin’ with Zoe Badwi

She used to do the bum dance as a member of Sirens with Sara-Marie, she then broke away and begged all to ‘release me’ – now Zoe Badwi is Freefallin’ and has kindly took the time to discuss life, music and tours.

Q: Wow Zoe, incredible life so far – you are noted as a model, actress, singer songwriter and ex pop group member (Sirens). How has that journey been?

Zoe: Yes I did Sirens, that was years ago now. After that I joined another band called Black Dogs (whose style is a similar genre to house music), which I am not so heavily involved in anymore, as you can imagine but it works out well because we all have solo projects.

Q: Solo career always been the plan or just fell into it?

Zoe: No! It was actually never the plan. I never thought to go solo because it is so fun playing in bands; being up on stage, looking around to your band mates, having a laugh, just sharing the load I guess. Grant Smiley of TV Rock saw one of my gigs with the Black Dogs and afterwards came up to me and said, ‘I really love what you do, do you write you own stuff?’ which I replied to with ‘I sure do!’ He then sent me along some beats and I then wrote Release Me

Q: I only discovered recently that it was you who sang that famous renowned anthem Release Me. Even though I am more than familiar with the song I had no idea until recently it was you who sang it!.

Zoe: Aww, really!!?

Q: I am so ashamed. But that song is amazing and you can’t escape a gay club without hearing it so congratulations there.

Zoe: That was my first solo song that I wrote. It just went so well. I get booked all over the world for that track – I pinch myself all the time. I think it’s been released in over 26 countries.

Q: Freefallin’. Great song. Fun film clip. I think all dance floors could learn from your clips concept of the train hand rails hanging and clung to from the ceiling and having the dance crew grab and sway over thee.

Zoe: Haha, thank you. I am proud as punch with that film clip. As for the grinding question, when the dancers first start dancing on you, you think, ‘This is a bit awkward.’ But by the end of the day you’re like ‘YES!’ giggles.

Q: It’s hard to go to a gay club or dance club in general without hearing Freefallin’ and Release Me. They are quite the gay dance anthems. Are you happy to be potentially taken in or considered as a gay icon? Do we look after you well?

Zoe: Please! It’s the best, I love it! Because I just feel you all really love your music. That’s the difference between straight clubs or different places that I play at. Sometimes the crowds are just there to be seen but you guys are ON that dance floor, you are one with the music. You guys always sing back my songs even louder than I do and at times I just have to put the microphone down and hand it to the crowd and just smile my guts out. You have all welcomed me with open arms and I am very grateful.

Q: Freefallin’ – I heard you were involved in the song writing process but majority was accomplished by Amy Pearson? There’s a name I haven’t heard for in a while.

Zoe: Yes. She is a legend, that girl. She used to live and sing here in Australia. We met through having the same manager. She is an excellent song writer and singer. I’ve always written on my own or with boys so it was so refreshing to write music with a girl. We wrote a whole bunch of stuff together. But she’s back in the UK so we have been back and forth writing music to each other over the net.

Q: I read that she was the majority songwriter of this song and this song proceeds to be one of her few songs to write but not release as her own. Why was that? You just owned that song so well that it was inevitable?

Zoe: Not quite like that. Well I guess because it was a kind of a dance track and Amy had never really done stuff like that and she didn’t have her record deal going at the time. Plus, I loved the track so much when it was all completed and done – it’s just an undeniably great song. That is the first song she has written and hasn’t released as her own and it has done so well I wonder how I would go if the coin was flipped.

Q: Two things. Congrats on being one of the few Australians to penetrate the ARIA top ten…

Zoe: I know! Now that was a day of celebration – let me tell you!

Q: Secondly I hear after USA heard Freefallin’ they snapped you up instantly. Is it true you are recording an album overseas?

Zoe: I am recording one here. But I have been writing with people simultaneously around the world and here in Australia because I kind of want the album to have an international feel. I’m showing the world what Australia has got, don’t you worry.

Q: How far into the new album have you got? Is it completed?

Zoe: No I haven’t finished it yet. Giggles. You sound like the record company.

Q: Sorry.

Zoe: Haha, only winding you up. Because I am touring so much (which is great) I just don’t have a lot of time to get into the studio. But when I do, it’s ON! And that’s because most of the time I have to leave and go to the airport and fly somewhere else. I recently got sick a couple of weeks ago because my body just couldn’t keep up with the constant flying and recording and being off my feet. I need to find that medium (which I probably won’t do.) But I’m more than halfway through the album.

Q: Do we have a second single lined up?

Zoe: Yep sure do. The second single should be out on the 3rd/4th of January. Do you want the hot tip on what it’s called?

Q: Yes!

Zoe: Ok. Its called Accidents Happen. You are the second person ever to know that.

Q: You have collaborated with so many people currently, anyone special you aspire to work with one day in the future with your music career?

Zoe: Bruno Mars!! I won’t even think about that one, I love him.

Q: Don’t hold back Zoe; tell us how you really feel..?

Zoe: I love him! Bruno Mars, yes yes please, all the way! Or of course I would love to play with Prince or Kanye West or Freemasons would be cool. We (Freemasons) have had a bit of a chat about doing something.

Q: It sounds like you are currently leading a fun, amazing life, it has been great spending some time with you and all the best with future endeavours.

Zoe: Thanks for having me. And thank you for all the support.

by Tim Spencer, QNews