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A MORE CONFIDENT BILLIE MYERS RETURNS WITH SECOND UNIVERSAL ALBUM, 'VERTIGO'  CUTTING EDGE: When Billie Myers released her debut album in 1997, she was still uncertain of herself, her
career, and how much of a voice she wanted to reveal in her song lyrics. The
telling name of the project: 'Growing, Pains' .Three years later, one bears witness to an evolved artist, one still growing but perhaps without so much of the pain. "I was so much out of my element then," Myers says. "I didnt feel confident because everything was so new, and I didn't know if I could carry it. I had never performed onstage, and nobody knew if I'd be a wallflower. It turns out my nervous energy propelled me from one side of the stage to the other." On her upcoming Universal records sophomore effort 'Vertigo', and first radio release, 'Am I here Yet? (Return To Sender)', the british-born Myers has obviously taken bold and sometimes playful strides forward, stepping out into a realm that is much more revealing. "This time around, I wanted to be a sounding board for ideas. There are so many people working extra-ordinarily hard on my behalf that it was important to me to offer a reflection of who I am. I'm not hiding behind metaphors anymore.", she says."I dont know if thats better, but I'm happy with the album. I also understand that without 'Growing, Pains', I never could have gotten to this point." That initial effort fostered the international sleeper hit, 'Kiss The Rain', a track so off the beaten path that radio at first didn't understand what to do with it. Eventually, it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at 15 and no.6 on the adult top 40, but it took the dedicated support of VH1 and some determinded radio outlets to get the record fully exposed to the public. With 'Return to Sender', again a song thats far more complex and compelling than the average pop fare, early reaction at adult top 40 radio is promising. Its immediated hook comes through the clever use of Hot Chocolate's timeless 'You Sexy Thing', a top three hit on the Hot 100 in 1975. "To us, it was a no-brainer", says Michelle Matthews, PD of KTOZ Springfield, MO. "Its a totally female-appeal song, and we've had so many inquiries about it." Since adding it, the station has drawn top 10 phones, with top five reaction in the last few weeks. "Its already got that familiar chunk with 'You Sexy Thing' that leads you right into it, so there's instant appeal. But the song itself is so strong. We've had so much luck with it, and we've barely begun" "For me, right away, it was the sampling of the Hot Chocolate song," says Bob Walker, PD of KQMV Salt Lake City. "That made it stand out instantly from Vertical Horizon and the Goo Goo Dolls, which brings the station good balance. It seems to have more of an upper-end appeal, because I don't think a lot of 18-year-olds know 'You Sexy Thing'. We've also been using the hook as morning-show bed" For Myers, the universal message breaks down to " time where I was waking up in the morning unsure of my success, even in the midst of 'Kiss The Rain', and comparing my accomplishments to someone elses. When I'd finished touring, my personal life was a complete mess. It was nonexistent, and I felt like a failure because my second single [the spirited 'Tell Me'] didn't take off. I spent two weeks walking around my house crying. But now I realise that if you get up with a smile and you're happy with what you're doing, it doesn't matter; you don't have to be president of the United States or Janet Jackson," she says. "Its enough to be someone's wife, mother, or husband, even if you're just walking down to the corner store and getting milk every day" |
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According to Derek Simon, director of Marketing for Universal, 'Vertigo' represents a tremendous transformation over the first record. She's really found her artistic voice. I think 'Growing, pains' was a much more introverted record that showed one side of Billie's personality. The new project shows the depth of her emotions - all aspects of Billie, emotionally and lyrically. I think it will not only appeal to those who who really dug 'Kiss The Rain', but those who like Chrissie Hynde, Joni Mitchell, and Joan Armatrading: artists who really spoke for their time, Simon says. Themes on 'Vertigo', produced by David Tyson (Amanda Marshall, Tina Arena, Alannah Myles) include such universal issues as unrequited love on the title track, but also more pointed topics like slavery, sexism and religion. "My approach was a lot different this time. I was a lot more assertive," Myers says." I went in straightaway with a lot to say and knew what kinds of sounds I wanted to use. 'Vertigo' contains hints of '60s music, of The Beatles, of soul, while I was adamant to talk about things like slavery and oppression. We haven't come that far when people are still being killed because of their colour and sexulaity. We still have a problem out there." The experience of putting the project was a far cry from her first time out, working with producer Desmond Child, which she admits was sometimes a contentious ordeal. " For my peace of mind, I thanked him on this album, because I thought I owed him an apology. On 'Growing, Pains', I was so wrapped up in seriousness and everything being life and death, that I reflected that on Desmond," she says. "He's such a perfectionist, and he saw something and wanted to keep pushing me to that place. I couldn't see that. I can be really hard headed, and it may take me a long time to recognise the truth, but I'm the first to apologise when I do. With Tyson, I realised how much I had learned from Desmond. I was able to have particular conversations about what I wanted. it was almost like graduating." Myers began her publicity push for 'Vertigo' with some early summer radio shows in Greensboro, NC, and Spokane, Wash. which she says were freewhelling fun. I actually had a great time at the radio shows." I started with 'Kiss The Rain' so people knew what to expect from me," she says." Onstage, i take the music seriously, but not myself. I'm certainly not the type to go in demanding my Evian in crystal and only green M&M's." I dont think people knew what to expect when she got onstage, says Beau Richards, PD of KCDA Spokane, where Myers headlined a May 7 show following a town race that draws some 41000 runners each year. But as soon as they heard 'Kiss The Rain', she had the whole audience on their feet, and she really worked the crowd. She was jumping off the stage with lots of audience participation and was completely personable. I really think it's time for this gal to come of age. She's one of those artists that makes it worthwhile to have these shows. Coming up, Myers will head to Canada, then Europe, Japan and Australia, as the global push ensues. But, in the off-chance that 'Vertigo' doesnt take flight, Myers insist she's now learnt the fortitude to take it all in stride. "If it doesnt work out, I'm OK. I dont know that I'll ever be considered cool, but people will either take me for who I am or they won't. I'll always be a writer, and I hope to always be a singer. But I can't control it; thats up to the public. I'm in a good place, an honest place, and I'm confident that I've made a good album. I know now that that is what is most important." |
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