Basia between shows in Tokyo last year

Another really fun, upbeat interview but this time, backstage at the Blue Note.

Translated interview from October

Rzeczpospolita did an interview a couple of months ago where Basia was asked some pretty interesting questions- and one answer included having her dressing room descended upon by Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman. Huh! Anyway, Krysia translated this fun interview into English for us, and you can read it here.

Basia in the first person

Thanks to Piotr. This is a gem of a piece from Dziennik in Basia's own words ("as told to.." type of thing) about her life and musical interests.

Polish and English via Google.

There's also a traditional interview from the same paper- in Polish and in English via Google.

(they also had a curious feature- who will be the "next Basia"? Several acts are put forth as contenders. Hey, I'll root for any other Pole to do it too, it's been far too long.)

Also, from a different, American Dziennik is an interview with Basia (narrative, not Q&A) published prior to It's That Girl Again release. English via Google.

Matt Bianco in Holland, through the noughties.

All this via our fantastic contributor Dutchmarc:
First, a 2000 singalong type show from Holland "The sense of.." which was about 1984 and who better to represent that year than Matt Bianco. Mark Reilly makes an appearance and the whole band represents frozen in videoclip time.



A radio interview with during the 2004 Matt Bianco era with Basia, Danny, and Mark. Nice video accompaniment!

Incidentally, "Whose Side are You On" is #288 on this Jazz countdown list. And finally, the "Wrong Side of the Street (Can't Sleep remix)" which was in very limited quantities on vinyl in 2004.

Downloadable Basia interview

Via basiasongs.com. Basia always gives a good interview but she's really in her groove here. It was conducted by Mark Watkins for a radio station in the UK before the London shows and he asks her about the new album and the good ol background too. Enthusiastic memories of early Matt Bianco as well.

What's fantastic is that you can download this and listen anytime! Read here for details.

Benefit concert, more Filipino press

An article and an interview with Basia and Danny.

Basia also performed a benefit for typhoon Ondoy victims. Attendees didn't have to pay, but instead had to pledge either to give blood, 1,000 hours of house-building sweat equity, or goods for typhoon victims.

I told you Basia was awesome.

Basia in Manila tomorrow night

Whoa, they love them some Basia! According to Annick's Facebook they've gotten the full-on VIP treatment complete with paparazzi! We say it's great to know there's a place where they get their due (though here's hoping the paps are harmless, ergh!)

EDIT: For example (by the way this is the first and last time you will probably see "Basia" and "Akon" in the same segment of anything)


EDIT: Another rather epic promo!


So, some press:
Small interview on Inquirer.net
Info on the opening act, The CompanY. (sic)
A frankly gorgeous page from the sponsoring radio station.

Fascinating to read about how much they love her there!!

Can she fix it? Yes she can!

Thanks to Krysia for his neat interview for the Gazeta Wyborcza Katowice edition. I like it a whole lot. (Handy Google "translation") Basia talks about Jaworzno a lot, like a lot of places (looks around) there's not enough to do! Also, she talks about the constant home improvement projects and spending way too much time at the Polish equivalent of Home Depot. As do we all. (looks around again...) And of course, that pesky question of dividing your time between two countries.

Can I also say, whoa, Basia and her sis look way too much alike!

Basia on "Zlote slodsze i najslodsze" tomorrow morning

Marek Niedzwiecki announced today that there will be a phone conversation with Basia tomorrow in his Saturday morning program "Zlote slodsze i najslodsze" at about 11:30 am CET. Whoo!

Vintage US press

A couple of articles from The Sweetest Illusion era during the US tour, 1994.

LA Times has a hard time keeping up with Basia, attributes it to caffeine. No dudes, you just can't hang! ;)

Brief piece in the Seattle Times summarizing a few others, but all to promote the show at the Chateau Ste. michelle.

multi-part TVN interview

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Parts Four and Five

Thanks so much Marek!!

Even more Polish interviews

Don't forget that you can use online translators to read the interviews in text. :)

Onenet.
Even in awkward Googlish, you can tell this is a really well-thought out piece.
Another on onenet.
TVN Style video interview
This is some fluff right here.

YouTube Roundup!

First video for "Prime Time TV." Since the single came out two years before it did in America, Basia looks pretty different!



Video from one.net (in Polish).

Japanese cover of New Day for You.

TVN translated chat

Thanks to marek on the basia2 list for this translation and transcription! I've bolded things that are of note to you and me, the fans looking for the nitty-gritty. :)

B: Good morning, everybody, welcome to the chat.
AniqqqX: What is your day like?
B: And in how many words am I to answer that question? :)
Paatryk: Why did you double the `Trze' in your last name? To impress?
B: That's not my fault (I had nothing to do with it). :D
Radek: How come you decided to record a new version of Clear Horizon? Greetings, I'm impatiently awaiting for a concert in 3city (Gdansk/Sopot/ Gdynia)
B: Thanks. We were not quite happy with the first version, but not sure whether the new one is better.
Alusia1: What songs are included on the new album?
B: I suggest checking out our website, basiasongs.com.
Paulina: Which artists that you have met were you most impressed with ?
B: Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, Mike Hucknall.
Absolvent: Hello, I went to Jaworzno High School. I know it was part of your life, too. How do you recall those times?
B: Best time of my life.
Marek_en: Are you planning to do a clip for any of the singles from ITGA?
B: Yes, we are planning to do clips for `A Gift' and `I must'.
Kuba123: How did you start your career?
B: I was born singing and the career followed against my will (it just happened?). :)
AniqqqX: Good morning, do you have a pet?
B. I used to have a dog, I'd like to have another one, just not one that sheds hair, I am allergic. A poodle? :)
Paulina: If you didn't pursue singing career, what would you do?
B: I'd be a teacher.
AniqqqX: Do you like picking wild mushrooms? [seriously?? -- LO]
B: I never do it. I live in England, they don't do it there, sadly.
Rih1: What Polish groups did you sing with?
B: Alibabki, for a short while, Perfect, for an even shorter while, and before that in my High School group Astry :)
Ciekawa: What has been happening with you all this time?
B: What time do you mean?
AniqqqX: What do you think of Jarocin Festival?
B: I know nothing about it. Should I?
Marek_en: Where can one buy the bonus songs from the new album, `Oh Mama' and `Clear Horizon'?
B: iTunes or wait for the new version of the album.
AniqqqX: What do you enjoy besides music?
B: Football, F1, movies and theatre.
Ergp: When are you planning to tour Poland?
B: Probably in the fall.
Radek: Basiu, how did you started working together with Trey Lorenz? How come you decided to record `She deserves it' with him?
B: He was signed to the same label, I met him by chance at the recording studio. His voice suited the song and he was keen to do it.
Ergp: Is it true you studies physics?
B: Yes. :) But only for a year.
AniqqqX: Is this your first chat?
B: Yes. :) Lack of experience is obvious. :)
Marek_en: Basiu, I would love to hear you on the biggest radio stations (RMF and Zet), are you planning any special promotion (e.g. interviews) with them?
B: I would like to be heard there, but it's up to them.
Dragan: Do you miss Poland?
B: Not really, I am always here (spending a lot of time in Poland).
Paulina: What albums do like from start to end?
B: Early Stevie Wonder albums, `Nightfly' Dogan Fagen, Noa and Keane.
Paatryk: How did you live through the martial law period (81/82)?
B: I was in UK by then and I felt very sad.
Radek: Will Peter White, Dee Johnson and Clarisse sisters go on tour with you?
B: Clarisse sisters for sure, Peter possible, he's always on tour, Dee is on tour with Simply Red.
aniqqqX: What do you think should be the symbol for euro 2012?
B: Maybe a red and white football? :)
Thank you very much for your questions. :) It was nice to meet you. See you. :)

Krysia's subjective chronicle of B&D’s promo tour in Poland

It has been about 10 years since I have last seen her on Polish TV and even more since I have heard her on Polish radio. So I was really expecting this tour and undertaking all the strange actions to be able to listen and watch them as much as possible (although I must say I felt slightly disappointed, cause they haven’t put that info on BasiaSongs – lack of time between tours to US and PL I guess?).

Having had to go to school yesterday, before noon I was becoming somewhat restless and I started to talk to my friends and the teacher at the workshop that maybe the secretaries could borrow us a radio. Than – what a miraculous coincidence – it appeared that the teacher had a small portable radio, so I searched quickly for Radio Zlote Przeboje and than listened to the interview, meanwhile I was cutting my fingers with glass ;-) [Krysia's a stained glass artist and she rocks!-- LO]

On Saturday evening I listened to Basia co-running the first hour of Radio 3 Chart and Today’s morning I watched Morning program – Dzien dobry TVN.

Honestly speaking, after the really extensive and interesting interview that was done by Michal Sierlecki for Wroclaw ’s Radio RAM, none of those appearances revealed too many new information. Usually the people ask her all the same questions – why she was away for so long, when will be the tour (well, this one is good to listen to, cause as time goes by the plans are evolving and you can find sth out). While Michal was asking her some questions about the things she is rarely (or never) asked and in some of the subjects I was very interested in (like Basia’s connection to Japan ) and also talking a lot about the musical side of the songs (after hearing that interview it is obvious that he has musical education).

I am absolutely sure that this tour around Poland was much more informative and promoting than the one to the States. Obviously US is such a huge country, so she would really have to appear in some of the famous shows (would love to see her on Letterman again), and looks like the most important interview they could have got - for ABC - was cancelled, while radio interviews are limited to the listeners of certain type of music as well as geographically, plus one -for the sad reasons of one musicians death - was also cancelled and another interview – due to the change of that station profile, as someone explained - was not what it could have been and not as promoted I guess.

While in Poland she appeared in some well known programs that gather bigger audience. I just feel kind of sorry for other countries' fans, that you couldn’t have enjoyed them in all those programs live.

My general feelings about this Poland tour – leaving aside the information and promotion – is, that I don’t know what it is about that Lady but somehow she constantly knows how to move some very deep strings inside of me, and she seems such an extraordinary human being – thought that is something I can not know cause I have never met her in person. But I guess that’s an impression she keeps leaving and I know she will always be the brightest star on my musical firmament. Listening about Basia's and Danny's musical influences was very interesting to me, cause getting to know about them it’s as if I was also getting to know myself better!

Some interesting points I remember from the programs:

“Zlote Slodsze i Najslodsze” – by Marek N.
I hope it will be uploaded on Marek’s blog soon – actually there was a lot of English speaking, due to Danny’s presence so if somebody from abroad managed to get up on time Saturday morning you could have enjoy it.

There were 3 ladies – Basia, Anna Maria and Kayah talking all over, so it rather had an atmosphere of girlfriends meeting :-)

As I understood Anna Maria Jopek invited herself to be able to meet Basia (I believe some fans over here – like Marcus and Peter are very keen to hear her duo with Basia). This question was actually asked, or even a trio of all the 3 singers. Basia seemed kind of reserved. Is she feeling unsafe? That’s how it sounded when Marek at the end revealed – saying his apologies to Basia, that it resulted that all 3 of them were there – Basia apparently didn’t know that, and she replied that it’s good she hasn’t known cause otherwise she would probably have run away.

Anna Maria Jopek said that she has been long time Basia fan and as she expressed – she thought it is easily hearable on her earlier records. But a very important thing for me that AM said – about finding your own identity – all the 3 ladies seemed to agree that at first when you sing you turn to imitate your idols – you think how this or that person would have sung something, but one day it must come to “how I would sing it”.

Both Anna Maria and Kayah offered to sing choirs when Basia will come for tour to Poland (I guess that strokes out my chances as a candidate ;-) – would be my dream to sing with Basia, not even in front of the audience but just together with her:-)).

As B & D explained the first tour that will happen in Autumn (starting September most probably) will be with smaller band – 6-8 people, so what they are working on right now is to adapt all the songs for such a kind of smaller, “acoustic” tour, that will be performed in smaller venues. And also they were advised by the record company to maybe release some additional 3 songs record. Maybe the trio Basia-AnnaMaria- Kayah’s song could be included on Polish release? ;-)

Per my understanding, they would start in the US, than go to Japan and Poland too.

Maybe next year – if there is the demand – they will go for tour with a bigger band.

Radio 3 Chart with Piotr Baron
I really liked the atmosphere and Basia seemed to be enjoying being introduced to some new music. Piotr asked if it is possible we will hear her in some more rock-alike song. Basia said, that nothings is impossible although – due to Danny’s classical-jazzy background their main repertoire is what we all know :-)

They were also some people coming (I am wondering – where they were listeners that just popped in, or have they agreed beforehand to come), one man brought some muffins baked by his mother, especially for Basia and Radio 3 Chart crew, than some other fans were on the air too.

Basia said that she is being so spoilt here in Poland . I think that’s what she definitely deserves!!! :-)

TVN morning program – Dzien dobry TVN
Basia was first supposed to talk with people on TVN’s chat.

There was a short talk to Danny and later "A Gift" was played – Basia just accompanied by Danny on the piano. I was very moved have to say.

Later there was an interview with Basia. I liked the small documentary that TVN prepared – about B’s school years and beginnings, some teachers and class-mates were speaking and also some members of Alibabki.

Basia also brought the Gold record for “ITGA” that she was awarded the previous evening. She said that her mother would have been very proud of it. It was their first Gold in Poland .

(actually I don’t think that it will take long for them to have the Platinum, if they earned Gold that quickly!).

Trivia

• Basia mentioned several times in some interviews her mathematical brain, as she revealed in Radio 3 program on Thursday (Prywatna Kolekcja) when she was writing the final high school exams (matura) of maths she has done her tasks so quickly that she started solving some for her colleagues that were sitting around (Not nice Basia! ;-) Especially that the entire high school must have been listening – there were greetings from all the students and teachers from Jaworzno high school that Basia was attending).
• I would say that Danny could survive in Poland (especially with “Jestem bardzo glodny” – I’m very hungry), but seriously speaking – I think he’s really got good pronunciation!
• In Marek’s program “Zlote Slodsze i Najslodsze” Basia said Danny doesn’t know any swear-words in Polish, cause she’s never swearing in Polish. Another lady – I think that was Kayah, offered to teach it to him ;-)

That’s it! I hope that they will get a good rest now and that Basia will get better soon – she was ill (although I must say it was not hearable in her voice).

Unreal meeting of Poland's biggest female vocalist stars

Marek Niedźwiecki scored an amazing in-the-studio with Basia, Anna-Maria Jopek and Kayah. Here is a set of photos from Marek's blog documenting the event.

Even more in this footage from TVP1"

Dzień Dobry TVN clip: interview with Basia

Link to all the videos from this show.

(completely in Polish, obviously. You know, I've been wishing I knew more of it this week!)

Radio PiN interview, TOUR NEWS!

Thanks to Marek N., you can listen to this interview!



Additionally, according to this interview, Basia received a gold record award for It's That Girl Again in Poland yesterday, and a tour is scheduled to begin in September, not sure where it will begin. Wow!

Basia's interview on 94.7 The Wave, LA

can be found here if you cannot see it below.

Basia and Danny in "Prywatna Kolekcja"

(by Krysia via the lists)
Here is the link to the program where B&D were today 2-3 pm. There are 2 photos and there is also the list of the songs of their choice, I pasted it with my comments from the program (let's call it a short report ;-))

Grzegorz Turnau - "11:11" (selected by Basia, she and especially Danny were
impressed with the piano; Grzegorz Turnau is singer - the style he sings is
quite popular in Poland, so-called "sung poetry", poet/songwriter and he
plays the piano too)
Donald Fagen - "Walk Between The Raindrops" (selected by Danny, from album Nightfly; as Danny said this album had influence on early Matt Bianco songs, like "Get Out of Your Lazy Bed.")

Dusty Springfield - "Son of a Preacher Man" (selected by Basia, as she said it reminds her her childhood; she was laughing that knowing not too muchabout
the world than she believed that Dusty was some Black vocalist from the US; after the song Basia sung a line a capella :-))

David Bovie - "Life On Mars" (selected by Danny, reminds him his teenage years,as he said the songs that influenced you a lot later come back in some unexpected moments and you can hear bits of it in their songs too)

Beyonce - "If I Were a Boy" (selected by Basia)

At the end "I must" was played.

Also an invitation was mentioned so that Basia with the band performs in the
Agnieszka Osiecka Recording Studio in Polish Radio 3. She said that when they
gather the band, if they are still invited they would love to perform there.

The interview was almost 50/50 in PL/EN (so if you can listen to other
programs I guess you would not feel totally lost, only hearing Polish :-)) - I
will send a separate e-mail with programs and links to listen live).

Here's a short article with another photo.

UPDATED Basia all over Polish TV and radio this week

And some websites and print for good measure.

UPDATED! Here's what is on the docket, officially. I can't vouch for broadcast times as some things may be taped, but are live if indicated:

Thursday May 21st

• 10– 15 minute Interview for TELEEXPRESS (an afternoon news program) and TELEPLOTKI (a local program for TVP 3 about what
  happened in the last week in show business) -with Marek Sierocki
• 14.00 – 15.00 “Prywatna Kolekcja” - a live program in Polish Radio PR 3 with Piotr Stelmach. The artists talk about their favorite recordings.
• 17.00 – 18.00 Interview for Magiel Towarzyski – a culture/ lifestyle program on TVN Style with Karolina Korwin – Piotrowska
• Also, interview for plejada.pl

Friday May 22nd

• 9.30 – 9.50 (TV) Live broadcast – 6-8 minute interview with Jarek Kuzniar (TVN24 the biggest news television in Poland)
• recording 20– 30 minute Interview for Interia.pl and interia TV (one of the three biggest internet portals)
• Interview for onet.pl
• 13.00– 14.00 Radio 2 live entrances and a 20 minute interview in Chilli ZET
• 19.00– 20.00 (Radio) Live in Radio PiN – on a program with Maciek Ulewicz “Goraczka Codziennego Wieczoru”

Saturday May 23rd

• between 10.00 – 13.00 Radio Złote Przeboje „Złote Słodsze i Najsłodsze” with Marek Niedźwiecki
• interview for Tom Cultury- EMPIK's magazine
• 12.00 – 13.00 - „Złote Słodsze i najsłodsze” Radio Złote Przeboje
• 19.00 – 20.00 “Lista Przebojów” – a live program in Polish Radio PR 3. Basia together with Piotr Baron will run the program.

Sunday May 24th

• “Good Morning TVN” – half-hour of chat, also one main interview/conversation, a short conversation with Danny, live performance and contest (winners get the CD!)
• There will be an interview for Claudia magazine.

Monday, May 25

• Basia and Danny begin five-day sleep to recover from all this. (haha)

San Diego today, San Francisco/San Rafael tomorrow

TODAY-
SAN DIEGO
Interview for NBC News (to be shown on the 4.30 Newscast)
7.30pm instore appearance at Borders, 668 6th Avenue San Diego.

TOMORROW-
SAN FRANCISCO
Interview with KKSF
Instore appearance at Borders, 588 Francisco Blvd West, San Rafael 4pm.

More Polish interviews

From fan Piotr: "There are a few more press releases and interviews with Basia I spotted on the internet. All of them are in Polish but there is a lot of news and things I have not heard previously.

1. This is the best Basia interview I probably have ever heard - from Polish Radio Ram from Wroclaw. There are 12 audio files on the website. Basia was very surprised by the questions set. She said no one has ever asked her these questions and they were very interesting. She expected traditional interview and this one was a lot different to typical interviews. Michal Sierlecki who did the interview is around 30...but he is also a big Basia fan. Indeed he asks for Halina Tymusz paintings, Rachael (from She deserves it), Trey Lorenz, the tour plans, the concepts behind the new songs, the understanding behind lyrics etc... Michal was very well prepared to this conversation and very inquisitive. The interview reveals a lot of interesting facts which I have never heard. If I have a bit of time I might give it a go with translation but I am limited in terms of free time at the moment. I might try later...

2. Piotr Baron from Program 3 talking to Basia: the audio file is on the website: shorter but still interesting.

3. Another press interview from Dziennik (Polish daily newspaper). There are a few parts of this interview and here are the links:

http://www.dziennik.pl/kultura/muzyka/article367686/Do_spiewania_potrzebuje_sily.html
http://www.dziennik.pl/kultura/muzyka/article356811/Basia_To_znowu_ja_Wracam.html

4. Here is a press article by Jan Lotus from Polish Daily News called Dziennik (Polish daily newspaper published for Polish community living in New York area)"

Wow! Thanks so much Piotr!

Basia and Danny's American Adventure

Kind of, anyway. ;) They are coming over to NYC and the West Coast to do a little promo.

NEW YORK (Tue/Wed May 12/13): Interviews for ABC News Now (Live 1pm May 12), Reuters TV and XM/Sirius Radio.

LA (Thu May 14): Interview at The WAVE and at Broadcast Architecture/SmoothJazz.com

SAN DIEGO (Fri May 15):Interviews for KIFM and NBC News (to be shown on the 4.30 Newscast) and at 7.30pm an instore appearance at Borders, 668 6th Avenue San Diego.

SAN FRANCISCO (Sat May 16): Interview with KKSF and an instore appearance at Borders, 588 Francisco Blvd West, San Rafael 4pm.

Be sure to catch them if those in-stores are in your area! We'll update with any more details.

In even more official good news, ITGA has gone gold in Poland and a fall tour is looking more and more possible! YES!

(via basiasongs.com & official mailing list)

More Polish interviews; TVP Polonia and Gala

A segment filmed for TVP Polonia. Particularly neat is hearing "A Gift" played just on piano. Also, earrings! ;)

Interview in Gala.
Time for a quick run through the Google translator. I only feel it's fair to wait for a full translation to be sure I have the right impression before I repeat things, but on preview this is why we love Basia interviews so much: she. gets. real. Just the fact that she can talk about these things, perhaps having realized that many of us can relate... it's just awesome.

Thanks Piotr, and please fans keep sending notices about interviews and reviews wherever you are!

Interview in Poland

Another interview ith Basia in Poland for style24 website.

Polish press

An interview with the Polish site rp.pl.

Also, Basia's page on the site of their Polish record company, Magic Records.

Radio Orla interview transcribed

and it can be read here! As soon as I can get my computing issues sorted out it will be archived on the Library here, too.

Thanks to Bev for transcribing this interview! (and thanks to Geffen for giving up Bev for a few hours! Also thanks to Krysia for checking the Polish.

Basia and Danny on Radio Orla this Wednesday

George Matlock, now with Radio Orla, will have Basia and Danny in-studio this Wednesday at 9pm LONDON TIME. He is again gathering questions: "If you would like to ask Basia a question and stand a chance of winning a signed copy of their new CD, email your question to dj @ orla.fm (remove spaces) by Tuesday, April 7. Include in the subject line "Basia Q". The first questions selected at random by Basia and Danny will win a CD! You can also phone during the show to ask a question live on +44 208 998 6630."

Does anyone know if this is simulcast online? If anyone has the ability to record this show and send to me, I'd love to transcribe it (though I'm still transcribing the last one, hahaha).

Basia interview on Jazz Trax is online!

It's up! Radio stations who carry the Jazz Trax program will be playing it this weekend as well.

At some point when I can capture the audio I'll transcribe it. :)

Basia on Jazz Trax for the weekend of April 5

Basia will "debut" ITGA on Jazz Trax during the weekend of April 5. She had an interview with Art Good last week and it should be good, knowing that Mr. Good is a long time supporter!

Incidentally Peter White's debut album (and my favorite, I don't care what anyone says!) Reveillez-vous will be the archive album two weeks after. They could play "Danny Bianco," who knows? ;)

It's a pretty sweet interview and it's totally translated.

Krysia and Andrzej worked their brains off to get this fabulous interview to you and I and the English speakers of the fandom/world. We can't thank you guys enough!

FIRST press for the new album! You have to love it.

The Marek interview [CORRECTED]

So, I was getting a bit confused about the Marek N. interview with Basia after reading the commnents about different stations etc. Luckily Andrzej showed up to set me straight: "Bits of today's interview with Basia are going to be aired next Saturday at 11:00am via tuba.fm (Radio Zlote Przeboje) but the whole interview is going to be next Wednesday TUESDAY (9p.m. - 11p.m.) via tuba.fm (Radio Smooth Jazz Cafe) - all Central European Time." Thanks for that!

If this was in English I'd be totally liveblogging this now. Hey, next time we get a shot at this, I'll try to liveblog AND get some sort of chat going in the comments while it's on.

Upcoming interview with Marek Niedzwiecki

Basia will be interviewed on Marek Niedzwiecki's Smooth Jazz Cafe program in Poland, and the show will be rebroadcast at www.tuba.fm on July 22 between 9 and 11pm; and repeated on July 25th at 9am. (If anyone is able to translate and transcribe you would pretty much rock hardcore ;) )

Yay! New album publicity is creeping up!

Instructional Video

Back in 1996, when faced with the task of putting together a mini-segment on Basia on Broadway, CNN came to one conclusion: Basia's name is hard!



(Thanks Marcus!)

Awesome 1990 interview posted

Within the London Warsaw New York tour program was a fantastic, highly insightful interview with Basia. It remains one of the best interviews ever conducted with her, so I was thrilled when the author, Ron Fell, granted permission to reproduce it on BasiaWeb. We present it here for the first time in seventeen years.

Ron says: "While owner/publisher/editor of The Gavin Report, I was the writer who did the centerpiece interview of Basia for the tour program of the 1990 London Warsaw New York world tour...It was a fairly extensive Q&A for its time in her career and I remain a huge fan of hers. The interview was conducted in the Spring of ’90 the same weekend she was in New York for her VH1 documentary which became the multi-track video she made at that time.

Thanks again for your gracious permission, Ron!

Fan interviews Danny, gets great answers

Speaking of fan submissions from the backlog, here's a treasure: longtime fan Gloria Cunningham was fortunate enough to get to speak with Danny after the October set of shows he did with Peter at Pizza Express. It's not everyday one gets to sit down with the man himself, so check out this interview with Danny White, and enjoy!

Interview with Mark Reilly about Matt's Mood

We missed this interview, which was reproduced on several jazz websites. It's an interesting look at some aspects of Matt's Mood from Mark's perspective.

Post-LA show interview with Canyon Times

A brief and cool interview with Basia in a metro LA paper. Choice quote: "'I love being here in America,' Basia said. 'Without question, our fan base in this country is more solid than we even realized. We feel that we are on safe ground with a host of faithful followers.'" EDIT: Article has been taken down, though I probably have a copy to put up sometime soon.

Interview with Basia in the Arizona Republic

Another super groovy interview, and the answers are: No, we didn't know until now; no, no one was ever fed up; and yes of course we do, silly! What are we talking about? Get thee to the site!

Basia interviewed in San Antonio Express

Basia was interviewed as they approach the Empire Theatre show next week. Notable: "'It's so much fun to be on this tour,' said Basia from her New York hotel room. 'The best thing is that people have been so affectionate toward us. It's amazing that they have not forgotten us.'"

Something to dream about this spring

Wow, it's Basia on Smooth Jazz Vibes again! While a combo of previous stuff in Smooth Jazz News and Smooth Jazz Vibes, there is one big notable exception in this interview: "'In a perfect world,' Basia says, 'I'd be happy to make another CD with Matt Bianco. At the same time, I'm writing songs that do not suit the band. In an ideal world, I'd make two records: one of my own and one with Matt Bianco.'" Whoa! We'd like one perfect world, please, sent to London gift-wrapped!

Cleveland interview with Mark

Lots of last-minute phone calls must have went down from Mark Reilly's place in London right before they left for the US! Another mini-interview!

Matt Bianco's Mark Reilly interviewed in Washington Times

As the Birchmere show approaches, we have an interview with Mark done by the Washington Times. He sheds some light on future Matt Bianco/Basia albums: "'It's kind of up in the air,' Mr. Reilly says. 'We've started working on some new ideas. I think a lot of that rests of the success of the album. I think we'd all love to make another album if this one has any amount of success.'"

Matt Bianco and Basia are the cover story in SJN

The Smooth Jazz News website has their cover story on Basia and Matt Bianco. It's very well written and not only explains the new order to old fans but also puts their return in the proper context for those for who missed Basia the first time around.

Basia and Mark interview with Chicago Sun-Times

Another enlightening interview done with Basia and Mark, before their sold-out show at Park West. EDIT: It's been taken down, but I probably have a copy archived to put up later.

Here's a small blurb in the Skyway News.

Basia on Jazz Trax

Jazz Trax's telephone interview with Basia was very sweet, be sure to listen for yourself. Another band revelation was let out of the bag: Veronique and Annick are back! Yay!

EDIT: shows from '05 have since been removed from the Jazz Trax site.

Basia explains the visa snafu on Smooth Jazz Vibes

Basia talked to Bryan Soergel and explained that their papers were not yet in order, causing the cancellation of the March dates. "'We're sorry to the fans who missed our first four shows,' she says. 'It's a sign of the times, and none of us had been through this recently." Read more.

Basia will be in the Jazz Trax studio this weekend

Basia will visit Jazz Trax as their special guest this weekend, formally rolling out Matt's Mood. The affiliate stations and times are listed on their site, and if you don't have Jazz Trax in your area, have no fear: they archive all the past shows on Windows Media Player. This appearance promises to be good, so be sure to check it out.

Hey Now interview rocks our world!

The Radio Hey Now event was almost three hours of interviewing, music and goofing around with Basia, Danny, Kevin Robinson, George Matlock and his assistant Jacek. It was fantastic and the questions from the fans were excellent for the most part. Basia and Danny enlightened us on all sorts of stuff from their history to their current work to their favorite music. And most amazing to us was the shout-out from Danny and Basia— thanks guys, we'll keep doing our best!

Basia interviewed in Atlantic City

Before the visa troubles, Basia was interviewed by the Press of Atlantic City via telephone. They've moved on, but we've archived it. Read it!

Hey Now is "pleasantly inundated!"

You've gotta love this: George Matlock has so many questions for Basia and Danny that he's saying, please, no more! Be sure to tune in to Radio Hey Now online and check this out— the broadcast will take place very early tomorrow morning (Saturday the 26th), Basia and Danny are set to go on around 1pm London time, which is 5:00am PST, so set your alarms! The first three questions pulled from the hat will get a signed copy of Matt's Mood.

Matt Bianco on Sirius

A reason to switch to satellite radio really really soon: Basia and the boys will be doing an in-studio performance on the Sirius station Jazz Cafe. It will be Saturday, April 23 at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PST).

Basia to be on Jazz Trax in March

We've just finished hearing this week's Art Good show and not only did he plug the living heck out of Matt's Mood, but he also announced that Basia and Danny will be on the show in March to introduce the new project and give an interview. Yeah! Mr. Good has always been a big supporter so it's going to be a good show. As soon as they post the date, we'll let everyone know. In the meantime check out this week's archived show and reminisce on The Sweetest Illusion. NOTE: the 2005 shows have since been removed from the site.

One suprising revelation however is that Peter White will not be touring as Matt Bianco's guitarist, being "too busy" according to Art Good (there is a concurrent tour called "Jazz Attack" that he is taking part in). Unfortunate.