Here at DIVA we’re regularly bombarded with demos and DIY recordings from talented artists struggling to get their voices and music heard. Yorkshire lass Belinda O’Hooley and Brighton belle Al Start could write a book on the perils of dealing with record labels and venues. Instead, they’re decided to join forces and show people that there’s an alternative to the sanitised pop of Dido.

Thirty-three-year-old O’Hooley first came to public attention when she appeared as Annie Lennox in Stars In Their Eyes. Since then, she’s appeared on Woman's Hour and written and recorded a promising debut album, Music Is My Silence. Thirty-six-year-old Start first appeared in Diva five years ago as one half of lesbian duo Tucan. Now a solo performer, she’s started her own record label (Lone Coyote), studied with Squeeze’s Chris Difford, and recorded several albums, including the recent Go. Impressed by their determination and will power, I caught up with the duo on the last leg of their recent UK tour.

DIVA: How did you hook up?

Al Start: I help organise the women's stage at Brighton Pride and, after hearing Belinda’s album, I invited her to take part in last year’s festival. We already had some pretty good artists on the bill, but her album made me think she’d be head and shoulders above everyone else.

Belinda O’Hooley: We chatted a little bit on the day, but didn’t really get to know each other until a few months later, when I invited Al to join me on tour. I was impressed by her act when I saw her in Brighton, so she was the first person I thought of. I had no idea if we’d hit it off, but if I had to choose one word to sum up the last few weeks, it would be ‘fun’; all we’ve done is laugh.

DIVA: When did you both decide you wanted to be songwriters?

AS: I was 12. I dug my mum’s guitar out of the loft and taught myself a few chords. As soon as I knew three, I started writing sad teenage ditties about love and rejection.

BH: I’ve been a musician all my life, but didn’t start writing my own material until after my mum died. I went on Stars In Their Eyes to please her, but she died before it was broadcast, which was ironic. I felt very numb and disillusioned afterwards, and didn’t consider singing again until I bought a piano with the money she left me. Within six weeks of playing it, I’d written and arranged an album’s worth of material.



DIVA: On your albums, you both sound like developed songwriters. Where do you get the inspiration for the lyrics?

AS: I try to write songs that’ll capture peoples’ imagination. On this album, I’ve got songs about everything from cross-dressing to rent boys. There are a couple of love songs on there, but I’ve tried to make sure they’re a little quirky.

BH: It sounds mad, but most of my best lyrics come to me when I’m running. I’ve got quite a good memory, so I repeat them over and over until I get home and can sit at the piano and write them down. I never know what any of the songs are about until they’re finished. Initially, I wrote a lot of songs about the grief and anger of losing my mum, but recent songs are more diverse.

DIVA: Programmes like Pop Idol and Fame Academy suggest anyone can make it in the music industry as long as they’re willing to work their ass off. What’s it like as an aspiring songwriter?

AS: Its hard work. Besides finding the time and energy to write and record, there’s the administration, the marketing, the promotion and the shows. Joining forces with Belinda has not only given me the inspiration to keep going, it’s made me think about what else I could be doing.

BH: After each show, we put our heads together and say ‘Have you considered this or that?’ Getting a record deal with Cadiz has opened lots doors for me, but watching and waiting for a year while label bosses and distribution companies sat on Silence and tried to decided whether or not to offer me a deal was pretty soul-destroying. In retrospect, I think most of them just didn’t know where to place me; I don’t fit in any particular category.

DIVA: Do you think it’s been harder to get recognition because you’re both
visible lesbians?

AS: I do, yeah. I think there’re so few lesbians and gay men in the music industry that the gay community totally embraces everyone who comes out, and wants them to play every event and party. That’s great, but it can pigeonhole artists and make it hard for them to reach a more mainstream audience.

BH: Yeah, it can be hard getting the balance right. I enjoyed playing at Pride last year, but I don’t want to be known as just a lesbian artist playing for lesbian fans. I want people of all sexual persuasions to enjoy my music. That’s one of the reasons I made sure this tour involved traditional music venues like The 12 Bar club.

DIVA: Ever been tempted to pull on a gypsy skirt and start penning songs about your ideal man?

AS: I couldn’t get away with it. I’ve always been out about my sexuality and I’ve always sung songs about women. Some of them could be perceived as ambiguous, I suppose, but most people would realise they’re for and about women.

BH: I’ve thought I might have got a deal sooner if I’d played it straight or dressed differently, but I don’t know if it would’ve made a massive difference in the end.

DIVA: Has either of you ever been propositioned by a fan?

BH: There were a lot of starry eyes and scribbled phone numbers when we played Hebden Bridge. I was even asked to sign someone’s breast. Her girlfriend was standing next to her, which I found very odd. I would have obliged, but I couldn’t find a pen.

AS: After a while you come to recognise which women want to buy your CD and which want to take you home. The ones that want to take you home usually have this strange, smitten look in their eyes.

DIVA: What’s next on the agenda?

BH: We’re going to do another tour in Nov, playing bigger and better venues, including The Spitz in London. Our music’s very different but we compliment each other really well. I’ve had a drummer and bass player with me for the past week, so we’ve been creating a big wall of sound, while Al just performs naked with her guitar and microphone.

DIVA: How would you describe your albums?

BH: Mine’s bloody great. A lot of the songs have a cinematic feel to them and there’s a big band on there, including a cello player and a trombonist.

AS: Belinda’s a really talented musician and that shines through on her album. The arrangements are tight and her piano playing is excellent. I find it really inspiring. Mine’s a more poppy, uplifting album full of quirky, heartfelt songs. The production is earthy – and polished, too.

BH: I hate to admit it, but the only term to describe Al’s album is sickeningly good.

DIVA: Finally, do you think the world’s ready for more lesbian icons?

BH: Definitely. Ten or 15 years ago, the only visible gay musicians were people like k.d. lang and Melissa Etheridge. Now we have more alternative role models, like the Scissor Sisters and Antony and The Johnsons. There’re many of us out there.

AS: I think the world’s waiting for some more lesbian icons, and we’re more than ready to step up and take the mantle. Everyone loves to see strong women doing it for themselves, and we’re both strong, talented and authentic.

For more info, visit www.alstart.co.uk, www.rabblerousermusic.com and
www.belindaohooley.com