RS: Were you the vocalist on Killer Bunny's "Can't Take The Heartbreak?"
Simone: Honey, you know, you know that's me, of course.
RS: Because you said you worked with Barry and Rachid and that's just me putting the two and two together.
Simone: That's it, that's it, that's me. You know everything about me, I love that.
RS: No, I didn't know the metal thing, that was new to me. Are you singing on the new Love Inc songs like "Here Comes The Sunshine?"
Simone: That's all me. All the Love Inc albums to date that are out are all my vocals. You can see my voice changes from song to song.
RS: What's in your CD player right now?
Simone: What's in my CD player right now, let me see. Um, um, um, Evanescence. I really, really love her voice. Let's see, also listening to a lot of Sean Paul. I'm listening to a lot to calypso, so it's completely different vibes and, of course, All Things. I love Anastasia too, listening to her also.
RS: She has a new album coming out we're really excited about.
Simone: Oh, yes, so you can see it's all four corners I'm going to musically, definitely.
RS: Well, let's got back to Canada, Love Inc was very hugely successful to Canada, as you mentioned, it was huge there. Do you think being Canadian has helped you as an artist?
Simone: How so?
RS: Well, I remember back in the 90s the Canadian radio stations had the rule that thirty percent of the music had to be Canadian, do you think that gave you a foot up on the competition somehow?
Simone: You know in principle, that theory worked but if what you're presenting to the radio station isn't up to par, they're not going to play it just because it's Canadian. Because the songs did well and were so well received by the crowds and just from the audience and fans, it took it over the top. I think it had a life of its own, once people had a chance to hear it and appreciate it. I'm pretty sure that if it wasn't up to par, it wouldn't have done anything on the radio, it definitely wouldn't have done anything. I think that being Canadian and going into the American scene you have to prove yourself that much more that you're capable. The American industry is so big and vast, it's lyou really have to work that much harder as a Canadian to sort of show them and say hey, I'm here too and I'm showing you what I've got.
RS: That's awesome, that's what I wanted to hear. About "You're A Superstar," when you sing that, do you sing as if it's to one person or is there a special story for you with that song?
Simone: You know what, the stories came along the way. When I sang it, I just thought it was such a beautiful song that Vince De Georgio wrote and what an inspirational track. It was very easy for me to sing that in the studio because I enjoy singing songs like that. But the stories really came along the way as we were on tour. I remember particularly we were crossing onto the Vancouver islands, and repeatedly people would see me on the ferry and come over and say oh, my gosh, your song inspired me. I had exams and my life was so difficult and I didn't think I could make it or I didn't think I'd pass and I played your song and went out and passed and I did really well and I got that scholarship. There was another guy when we were in Saint Catherine's who was handicapped. His girlfriend started playing Superstar for him and that's one of the songs he kept playing every time he was in the hospital to help motivate him to get on with his life and be the superstar. You know those are the experiences that really let me know that I'm doing the right thing and that I'm so blessed to have the opportunity sing a song like that.
RS: Wow. Well, one last question, what do you want to say to all your fans and all the readers out there?
Simone: I want to say to everybody right across the US and into Europe and Canada, thank you so much for all your support. I plan to do a lot more music and you're going to hear from me. Just keep on giving me the love back and believe me, it's felt and it does not go unnoticed, and I thank you for all your support.
