Before talking about New Beginning, his first solo album which is released in Autumn, I start by appreciating his trouser. "Nice, huh? I bought it in Holland..." The rumour says he's living in Holland with his boyfriend. I was just wondering if we'd talk or not about Eloy De Jong, member of Caught In The Act, I wanted to end my interview with a couple intimate minutes, just to comfort Stephen about the French reaction towards his sexuality. Here, it doesn't change anything!
However, Stephen talks immediatly about his music. "This album, I'm working on it for two years. I was already writing the songs when Boyzone was in the middle of the promotion. And I'm making it perfect since we took a break with the group." Oh yeah? It means BZ will be back? "Of course! We only take some time for our solo projects. Ronan and Mikey are working with their albums. Keith is hosting a TV show and Shane is a motor car racer."
Stephen wiggles on his seat and I start wondering if I bore him. I goes on slowly. Your album is very rock and pop. Very different from the BZ style... "Pop, it's my kind of music. I love it and I want to sing it. I knew in which direction I wanted to go. I also knew that everybody was expecting some slow songs a la Boyzone and I didn't want it. With BZ, I'm singing in the high ranges. For this album, I wanted to surprise people, to prove them what I was able to do." And the texts about the difficulties to live a relation, about a new beginning, they're inspired by your own life?
Stephen is suddenly very pale and becomes very agitated. Not answering, he says he has to lie down 'cause his back is hurting. He lies down on the couch and answers. "Not really. I'm talking about lots of things important to me but not that personnal. I didn't want to talk about me and didn't want to sing BZ songs." He already said it. I'm thinking we're going nowhere. Why have you called your album New Beginning? Is it a symbol? Have ya the feeling it's a new beginning for you? "Life is always a new beginning. And well, yeah, in a sense, I'm starting all over again. I'll have a double life between the group and me..." Stephen gets up and start pacing in the room. I'm starting to worry. What happens to Stephen who usually answers our questions with a smile and very patiently? He goes out of the room, saying : "I'll take an aspirin and I'm back". I'm waiting, wondering how to talk about Eloy De Jong when his manager asks me to leave the room. Stephen has to lie down and waits for the doctor. In fact, he's suffering from his kidneys. The doctor gives him an injection and asks him to cancel his promoion. Worst : to be able to leave for Asia in 10 days, he has to go to the hospital and be operated without waiting. He took a plane back to Holland and promised me the next interview would really be a new beginning. Sometimes, it's difficult to be an artist!
