THE PHRASE multi-talented is definitely overused, but it’s fair enough when describing Barbara Tucker – the first lady of house and hardest working diva in the business. As a singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer and promoter as well as bee keeper, snooker player and mime artist (possibly), Babs brings passion, glamour and usually success to all she touches – including work with Moby, Wyclef and The Pet Shop Boys. She chatted to Rob Moore ahead of her NYE visit to Sydney.
Is New Years Eve the most exciting night of the year for you?
Yes, it’s always a gift to bring in a new year with people that appreciate and love you. It will be an honour to be back in their presence in Australia. It’s a place I have many fond memories of. The land is beautiful but the people make the country. New Years is a time of transition and for giving thanks. Many people won’t make it to 2009 so, although I know it’s cheesy, you have to get excited about waking up every day – not just on January 1st.
Do you have any resolutions?
I don’t make resolutions other than to do my best to grow as a person and share love every day. But for the year ahead, I plan to spend more time working on my label and find some talented, creative artists with a passion for house music. I want to help artists grow by passing on everything I’ve learned during 24 long, hard and wonderful years in the industry.
Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
Probably the awards I won across Europe for my track ‘Precious Love’ – such as the best vocal, best track and best live performance. I want to be remembered as someone who had style on stage but also helped young artists with their careers. I want to show them that if you have a love and passion for something, doors will continue to open. If you don’t love what you do, you’ll be around five minutes and fade away. And not just in music.
Some say house has become too commerical. Do you agree?
You can’t pay attention to that. House is a freedom movement and the music genre where you don’t have to pay for success. If it crosses over then it’s natural and not due to a label’s money. Performing with realness is still all that’s imporant. It’s also vital to let singers be heard. Hip-hop and R&B have always had vocalists on stage, but you go to house nights now where they charge on the door just to hear 10 DJs. We need somewhere to showcase vocal talent. Standing on stage and watching people from places as diverse as Croatia, Miami and Ibiza go crazy – there’s no better feeling.
