Artist Belinda Carlisle first achieved fame in the '80s with the groundbreaking all-female rock band The Go-Go's and then went on to a stellar solo career featuring timeless tracks such as "Circle In the Sand" and "Heaven is a Place On Earth." She finds her heaven this Sat., Aug 9, performing at Northalsted Market Days for the first time.
Contributor Anthony Meade recently got an exclusive opportunity to chat with Belinda about her career, her love of travel, her commitment to "finding the divine," and just how much she loves the Windy City.
Windy City Times: You just got to tour with The Go-Go's, The Motels, Patty Smyth, Cutting Crew and Naked Eyes on the Replay America tour. What was that experience like for you?
Belinda Carlisle: It was fun. Difficult schedule, but fun. We love Martha; we've known her since the late '70s when The Go-Go's shared a rehearsal space with The Motels.
WCT: You are playing the Northalsted Market Days this Saturday night, August 9. Are you excited to play this? You know we have wanted you to perform at this for many years, and the stars finally aligned for you to do so. We are very excited to have you back here in Chicago!
Belinda Carlisle: I'm really excited. I've heard it's a great event and I'm proud to be part of it this year. And it's a great excuse to come back to Chicago, one of my favorite cities in America.
WCT: What are some of your favorite things about Chicago? Do you have places at which you like to shop and eat while you are visiting us?
Belinda Carlisle: I love the energy and the architecture. I just love walking and getting lost. I'm a foodie and there are a ton of good restaurants.
WCT: Your music anthology was released this year with remasters of all your albums, added bonuses and videos. It must be "Heaven" to know that your body of work has stood the test of time and the songs are still fresh-sounding and fans of all ages are still enjoying them. What was your favorite part about putting this anthology together?
Belinda Carlisle: It was great finally working with a record company that is about the music and that loves music as opposed to working with corporations that don't give a toss about the art and just care about the money. There was a lot of great care put into this by [the record comany] Demon and by myself.
WCT: Also on the Anthology there are new songs added, such as "Sun," which your son James brought to you and "Good Bye, Just Go," which Ellen Shipley ( co-writer of "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" ) co-wrote. What was the process in choosing these new songs for this project?
Belinda Carlisle: The process was simple. "Sun" did need some lyrical changes. It was originally "Run" and then I asked Jane Wiedlin to be involved in the lyric writing, as she is a genius at that. It's a very Kundalini yoga lyric; it's inspired by my practice. "Goodbye Just Go" didn't take much work; I just sang it. The demo was a lot different than the single. It had an R&B feel, but underneath I heard a song that reminded me of pop in the late '70s. It reminded me of The Three Degrees. In fact, if I had my way I would have had The Three Degrees-style backing vocals that we recorded, but Ralph Schukett thought that it was corny. Maybe it was, but still I loved it.
WCT: Speaking of new songs, you recently did a cover of country singer Lynn Anderson's "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden" on Jools Holland, which sounded amazing! You really took that song and made it your own. You have also done Pasty Cline. Have you ever thought about doing a cover album of country songs, like you did with your French CD, Voila?
Belinda Carlisle: Maybe I will, maybe I won't. I don't know. I have been approached to do a country album before but said no. I will definitely do a Kundalini chant album next year, after I graduate from teacher training. It is not just singing, it's really understanding the mantra. I don't want it to look like a vanity project; I've dedicated my life to this practice and I'm very very serious about it.
WCT: You have been practicing yoga for years now. You recently started training to teach it at the Kundalini School of Yoga in Los Angeles. What have you found about yourself in the yoga you practice and decided you wanted to share with others?
Belinda Carlisle: This yoga is about finding the divine in yourself and helping others find their own divinity and happiness. It helps you find your connection to something bigger than yourself.
WCT: You live between LA, France and India. You have always seemed to love to travel and visit the "not so common" places. India, in which you started a business, Belindia, has been one of your favorite places in recent years. Any plans to move and explore a new place? You post amazing photos on Twitter of all your finds and treasures when you travel. What are some of your fave things you have found?
Belinda Carlisle: I'm off to live in the Far EastThailand. I found that once the East gets into your psyche, nothing else will do. I have discovered that you really can't go home after living outside of America for over 20 years. And I don't want that kind of life anymore. I want adventure and I want to be of service. I'm working on establishing an animal hospital in Calcutta, India. That will take up most of my time now. And of course, I will always travel to sing.
WCT: Your landmark hit "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" was released over 27 years ago. To this day, it still sounds timeless. What are some of your favorite memories of recording that album and shooting that unforgettable video directed by Diane Keaton?
Belinda Carlisle: There was an energy in the studio. We felt we had something special. And Diane was amazing to work with; she had definite vision and I loved her aesthetic. Her humor and point of view were exactly like mine.
WCT: There has been talk that The Go-Go's are working on new material and you are working on new solo material. Please tell us what you can.
Belinda Carlisle: We'll see what happens with The Go-Go's. I don't forsee an album really; everyone has their own projects. There are so many different formats for releasing material. We are working with Linda Perry next month.
WCT: Chicago is excited to have you perform at Market Days. What are your fans in store for when they see your performance this Saturday, August 9, at the North Stage? Any surprises?
Belinda Carlisle: Well, there will be a mixture of solo and Go-Go's, of course. And some special back up singers!
WCT: Thank You Belinda for your time, and Chicago will see you this weekend!
Belinda Carlisle will take the North Stage at Nothalsted Market Days, Sat., Aug. 9, at 8:45 p.m. See page 39 for a full schedule of Market Days entertainment.