PART #2

From what you've previously said, it seems that this album won't be pop-heavy. Is that correct?
That is, but then again, I don't think it's heavy in any genre really. The main thing with this record was that I wanted to experiment and push myself, like, who would have thought I would have ended up doing a blues track? As I've said before, putting out a pop-heavy album would just be me doing an album that GirlSpice could have done, and that's not what I want to do as a solo artist. There's really a mix of everything on the album, that's the way I wanted it.

You've produced for a few artists in the past, is that something you'd like to do more of in the future?
Definitely! I've worked with a small number in the past and they've all been incredible to work with. I haven't done it so much recently because I've had so much to do, but after the tour is done and my record is out, then I'm definitely up for doing some more producing.

Can you play any instruments?
I can play the piano, and our drummer on tour has been teaching me how to play the drums, which I'm getting pretty good at! My next goal is the guitar, I've had a few quick lessons, but nothing major... I'm getting a certain someone to teach me soon. I think you can guess who. (Winks)

You've never done your own tour before as a solo artist, can fans expect one this time round?
I'm gonna have a few meetings closer to the time of the album release about stuff like that, but I'm considering it. Obviously I want a break after this huge GirlSpice tour, but a smaller scale tour with a few shows here and there would definitely be nice. It's quite scary thinking about it, because I've done solo performances at award shows and stuff, but never a whole tour just for me! I'd feel quite greedy in a weird way. (Laughs)

Are there any collaborations on your album, and if not, who would you like to work with?
There's no collaborations at all, it's a record about my own struggles, problems and experiences, so I just thought that was the best way for it to be. I'm a huge fan of Buzz & Hype, they're both talented guys and I love their work, it'd be cool to do something with them sometime! Although, I hear Buzz is a little... hmm... how do I put it? Actually, don't worry.

There were reports that surfaced recently that claimed you were pregnant, which you have since denied. Did you really once believe that you were pregnant?
It was definitely a scary time for me, especially when I had so much to do, being on tour and trying to finish up my solo record, it was just the worst timing in the world. I was feeling sick a lot, and had a total lack of energy, that's when I had to ask others for their opinion and I was somehow convinced that I was. I was a nervous wreck at the time, but looking back... it's sort of funny? You have to laugh at these things, or you just end up crying. (Laughs) But yeah, I saw a doctor and it turned out that I was just overworked and not resting enough, it's all good now.

And finally, with your 30th birthday coming up on December 9th, what is going to change with you and what are you hoping it'll bring you?
Lots of presents? (Laughs) I'm quite excited to turn 30, people get better with age, don't they? Don't answer that. Not much will change with me, but of course I want some sort of stability in my life at an age like that, so I guess that's all I'm hoping it'll bring me. A lot of people have told me that I don't look 30 at all, so I don't think I have anything to worry about yet!

Following the two buzz singles "Good Girls Don't Lie" and "Shadow", the former having a more acoustic, reggae-tinged feel, whilst the latter was a full-out house/dance track, Nadia Berry is finally ready to unleash the lead single to Open Heart Surgery, and we see her finally go in a more alternative-rock direction.

New song "Nothing Less Than Perfection" lyrically deals with a man who doesn't feel that you're good enough for him, and just as the title states, he searches for nothing less than perfection, which he's unable to find. When he finds out about his lover's problems, he simply doesn't want to deal with them, as he'd rather find a girl who hasn't got any problems or troubles in life.

"It was one of the final songs I did for the record" says Nadia, "I was just thinking back to past relationships and stuff, and kinda comparing one to the one that I'm in now. By the way, I don't advise that," she laughs, "it made me realise how bad it was." However, she insists that she wouldn't change a thing, "I'm glad in a way, because I wouldn't have made this song otherwise."

"The main reason as to why I named my album Open Heart Surgery was because I was simply opening up more than I ever have done before in music. I was basically thinking back to all of the issues I've had, past and present, so I could write about them and then say that I've dealt with them and I've moved on from them. It wasn't an easy thing to do, I've cried a lot when writing a lot of the songs on this album, but I felt that it was something I had to do, for my own benefit. I'm exorcising my inner demons in a way, it's exactly like that, but less creepy..."

For a song that lyrically, isn't the most happy of songs, "Nothing Less Than Perfection" is strangely quite euphoric and feel-good, in a sort-of Coldplay, "Charlie Brown" way. With both the infusion of electric and acoustic guitar, as well as a pounding back-beat of strong drums and soft croons from Nadia herself; it's shocking to think that Nadia has been making dance-pop songs for so long and then pops up with something like this.



A girl with her own problems was just too much to ask for
Sorry, honey, did the plan of a simple life not work out?
Cause the moment the words were spoken from my lips
Your eyes set for the door, a full suitcase in hand
You've got enough troubles already in your life
And you just weren't willing to deal with mine

And I knew from then, I was already better off
Because I knew I could fight my mind alone
I didn't need you to hold my hand to tell me it'd be alright
Cause I didn't even get hopes up on it happening
You were a cold hearted lover, barely that
I guess I was just someone other than someone you wanted

I was once someone you wanted to know
Then when tragedy hit and I let you know
You suddenly no longer wanted to know
No, no, you just didn't wanna know

I'll get by, all I need is these pills that I feed on
One by one, my problems will slowly slip away
To the back of my head, I'll hide them away in darkness
One by one to the back of my head, and I swallow them down
They do me more good than you ever could
And believe me, if I could change things, I would

Don't worry about the guilt, I don't regret a thing
They say that everything happens for a reason
And I've found a man who loves me despite it all
And that's just something you could never do
So baby, don't question at night why you left me
Cause you did us both a favour

When things got tough, you just broke down
I didn't wanna be the one to carry the weight for both of us
And I bet what I have now is what you wish you had
You're just too weak, and I know you're gonna struggle
Babe, go cry those tears and suck it up
Life's a bitch to all the rest of us

I was once someone you wanted to know
Then when tragedy hit and I let you know
You suddenly no longer wanted to know
No, no, you just didn't wanna know

I'll get by, all I need is these pills that I feed on
One by one, my problems will slowly slip away
To the back of my head, I'll hide them away in darkness
One by one to the back of my head, and I swallow them down
They do me more good than you ever could
And believe me, if I could change things, I would

Good luck trying to find someone who's perfect
I know I couldn't be the one who fulfilled that
Cause just when you think you've found perfection
You'll soon see the cracks that start to appear
Cause didn't your mama tell you, none of us are perfect
And you should take a look closer to home
Yeah, that's the only way that you're gonna know
Once you look into the mirror and stare into your eyes
Them cracks all appear, one right after the other
And now do you wish you had me back?

I'll get by, all I need is these pills that I feed on
One by one, my problems will slowly slip away
To the back of my head, I'll hide them away in darkness
One by one to the back of my head, and I swallow them down
They do me more good than you ever could
And believe me, if I could change things, I would

Little miss unperfect, always misunderstood
Now, do you wish you had me back for good?