Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

MARKET DAYS Belinda Carlisle: 'Heaven' and 'Earth'
by Anthony Meade
2014-08-05

This article shared 5795 times since Tue Aug 5, 2014
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


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 East—Thailand. 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.


This article shared 5795 times since Tue Aug 5, 2014
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground 2024-03-24
- At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman 2024-03-21
- Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar' 2024-03-21
- Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

Lollapalooza announces lineup; SZA, Skrillex among headliners 2024-03-19
- Lollapalooza has released its line-up for the event that's taking place Aug. 1-4 at Grant Park. Headliners include SZA, Blink-182, Skrillex, The Killers, Hozier, Melanie Martinez and Stray Kids, among others. Some of the other acts ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition' 2024-03-15
- Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...


Gay News

House-music festival on Aug. 30-Sept. 1; icons, Idris Elba to be part of it 2024-03-13
- The ARC Music Festival—an event celebrating house music—will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Chicago's Union Park, per WGN-TV. This will mark the fourth year that the festival will celebrate the genre at Union Park—less than ...


Gay News

COBRAH slithers into Chicago and brings Feminine Energy 2024-03-08
- COBRAH snaked her way into Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., for two nights March 7 and 8 for her Succubus Tour. This Swedish-born talent has a way with naughty words and ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Jinkx Monsoon, Xavier Dolan, 'Frida,' Lena Waithe, out singer 2024-03-08
- Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is headed back to the New York stage, joining off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey beginning April 2, according to Playbill. The casting makes Monsoon the first drag ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer actors, icons duet, Hunter Schafer, Oscars, Elizabeth Taylor 2024-03-01
- Queer actor Kal Penn is set to star in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor—a film that chronicles the final days of actress/model Anna Nicole Smith, whose overdose death in 2007 at age 39 sparked a tabloid ...


Gay News

'Always Olivia' celebrates Olivia Newton-John at Raue Center 2024-02-26
- From a press release: Always Olivia, a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John comes to Raue Center in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May ...


Gay News

Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month 2024-02-23
- As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.