On World Music Day, After Hours chats up Simon Webbe on his upcoming India visit
The name doesn’t get a particularly enthusiastic reaction from music lovers though the critics have been appreciative of his music. Most Western artistes who perform in the country are either classic rock bands or yet to make it big. That said, Simon Webbe, former member of the boy band Blue, will be in town as a part of Vh1’s ‘Handpicked’ and will be performing at Hard Rock Café on June 29.
“I have been to India two years ago with the boys from Blue and that was a lot of fun. I would love to go sightseeing and spot the best architectural structure in the country,” says Simon, who jokes about tuning into the radio and TV stations of any country he goes to. “Yeah, that’s what I do when I’m travelling and don’t have the time to go and see places,” he laughs.
[url="http://www.dnaindia.com/"]Read latest news at DNA[/url]While his previous album ‘Sanctuary’ was inspired by his 12-year-old daughter, the new work ‘Grace’ is dedicated to his mother. What about all that talk of him being a ‘ladies man’? “I don’t date a lot of girls; I try to not be taken over by them. I don’t look at myself as a sex symbol,” he says.
Since a lot of his songs are about soul, does he believe in the concept of soulmates? “I think if you put two individuals who are each other’s soul mates together, they’ll be complete. I haven’t found my soul mate though,” he says.
As far his collaboration fantasies go, artiste Rihanna tops the list. “I think she’s beautiful. She’s a great singer as well,” he says.
Oh, and by the way, Simon doesn’t really care about what the critics have to say about his music. “It’s completely their opinion. I’m only bothered about my fans who have supported me throughout,” he ends.