What we learned quite early on is what was really important to early British pop that we produced-and this is where we were distinct from almost everybody else in this respect-is that it had to reflect exactly what the audience wanted us to say.
I can't wait to get over to the U.K. for my first time ever. I've always heard how amazing the fans are over there - looking forward to experiencing it for myself.
I'm one of five girls in the whole entire world that can honestly say I'm a Spice Girl. I'm still proud of that, and what we've achieved as a group - spreading the word of positivity and girl power. I'm really proud to call myself that.
People ask me if I'm influenced by British music, and I suppose I grew up listening to mostly British music - from new wave stuff through to heavy metal. Like, when I got into metal, it was Black Sabbath. I never really got into a lot of American rock. I appreciate some of it, but not much! Most of the great new wave music was coming out of Britain, and Germany. So maybe those influences have made their way into my music, and perhaps that's why I have this connection with people in Europe. But maybe it's something cosmic.
Coming from the U.K., I can think of so many great songs and musical moments that didn't require a belter of a voice; my favorite singer is Kate Bush and she's not a belter, or PJ Harvey... I'm definitely more of an alternative girl.
I like the name Atomic Kitten. It's so great.
I think there's something amazing about British soul.
We love pop and the U.K. specifically seems to embrace pop and it's so cool.
My favorite diva is Dame Shirley Bassey from the U.K. I just love that every song she sings becomes crazy and intense with feeling. That's how I feel in my daily life.
I didn't listen to Girls Aloud growing up - no way. Too cheesy, man!
It's a bit of a bold statement, but the Prodigy should be seen as an important cultural band.
Back in Kuwait, I had started listening to a lot of English language music: western music, I would say - Kate Bush and Radiohead - and I loved Chet Baker, Etna James, a lot of singers and a lot of bands.
The Radiohead record, The Bends is my all-time favorite record on the planet.
We've never adopted Americanisms. We are a very British band from a very British cultural scene. We fly that flag and that is something I enjoy.
I love the U.K. It's so different over there from America, you know, the culture and stuff. It's pretty awesome.
I love the energy over here in the U.K., the hospitality is insane.
There's a lot of good rappers in England at the moment. There's a lot of good dance acts. A lot of good, young guitar acts. I think a lot of groups came from that dole culture of the late 80's/early 90's - it's not as easy now. I think there's a dearth of working class bands.
I kinda learned to sing singing to Echo and the Bunnymen songs and Smiths songs: Morrissey would be a big favorite.
Elton John is a huge influence and an artist I've listened to since I was a little girl.
Folk music is where I come from originally. The very first thing that introduced me to playing guitars at all was skiffle - my cousin had been in London the summer that skiffle was big.
I didn't look up to only pop stars, but I did look up to Adele, Amy Winehouse, Grimes, Robyn, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, M.I.A., Coldplay, Keane, and more.
Nothing Rhymed,' my first single in England, was a nice ballad, which I thought would sound like a songwriter typical of the day - denim, jeans, long hair, early 20s.
It's not that I don't like American pop; I'm a huge admirer of it, but I think my roots came from a very English and Irish base. Is it all sort of totally non-American sounding, do you think?
My favorite album is 'Abbey Road.' I love 'Hey Jude.'
I love London, I love the British people.
