Sharleen Spiteri

TEXAS FRONT WOMAN, PROUD SCOT, LONG-STANDING GAY ICON!! - SHARLEEN SPITARI

INTERVIEW BY GARY CAMPION

SHARLEEN THANKS FOR TAKING TIME OUT FROM YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE TO CHAT WITH US, IT TRULY IS AN HONOUR TO GET TO TALK TO SUCH A LEGEND. I’VE BEEN A FAN SINCE “SAY WHAT YOU WANT” WAS RELEASED WHEN I WAS DOING MY GCSE’S AND IT’S NOT OFTEN I GET SO HYPED ABOUT A PERSON I AM INTERVIEWING.

Wow, really? I totally love hearing stories like this! It’s funny because some folks cringe when fans say stuff like that, but it makes me super proud that we’ve been around for so long. When someone tells me they’ve loved our music since way back, it just fills me with pride about what we’ve accomplished. “Say What You Want” was the second version of Texas, and it’s just so cool to think that someone young was jamming to my records back then—that was their first taste of Texas!

WITH A CAREER SPANNING 38 YEARS, OVER 40 MILLION ALBUM SALES, 3 NO.1 ALBUMS, 2-TIME GLASTONBURY PYRAMID STAGE ACT, AND STILL TOURING AND SELLING OUT VENUES YOUR RELEVANCE HAS NEVER WANED, WHAT DO YOU THINK TEXAS SECRET IS?

Oh man, our relevance has definitely dropped a few times. When you’ve been in the game this long—not just in music—you can’t expect to be on top all the time. The trick is to learn how to ride the waves of the industry. As I said, you came in during Texas’s second phase. We had our first big hit with “I Don’t Want a Lover,” but then the whole Manchester scene took off, and we couldn’t catch a break; we were totally off the radar.

It wasn’t until a few years later when we got lucky and sold a ton of records in Europe, that we were able to keep our record deal. Back then, having a record deal was essential, unlike today. We managed to keep things going because touring in Europe helped us pay the bills. Then we had “Say What You Want,” and everything changed for us—it took us to a whole new level compared to our earlier stuff. After that, we released songs like “White on Blonde” and “Hush,” plus a greatest hits album, but then things slowed down again.

Now it feels like we’re on the rise again. I’d say we’ve always been around, just at different levels over the years. After performing at Glastonbury for the first time a couple of years ago, we hit another moment where people recognised us, thinking, “I know who Texas are; I think I know a few of their songs.” When we hit the stage, everyone was into it, singing along, and it felt like we were catching another wave after such a long career.

Even the biggest bands, like The Stones or The Beatles, go through ups and downs. Great songs always find a way to come back around. Social media is a big part of it; despite the negatives, it offers a lot of good for younger generations. For them, it’s just a tool—they stumble upon a song and either love it or hate it without really digging into it. Everything moves so quickly these days. Our generation tends to take a bit more time to appreciate music. My daughter’s 22 now, and I keep telling her to give things a shot, and then she’ll come around and say, “Okay, that’s actually really good.”

I FIRST HEARD TEXAS PLAYED ON THE RADIO, DO YOU THINK THE DAYS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RADIO AIRPLAY HAVE GONE?

It really just comes down to what you’re listening to and how you’re going about it, you know? I bounce around all kinds of stations—like, I’ll check out Radio 2, then flip to some indie stations. There’s this super old local station called Angel Radio that’s actually run by retirees. It’s not about new hits but has this vintage vibe and sound that I totally dig! I love how different each station is, with their presenters and whether they’re corporate or independent. I usually have it on around the house or when I’m driving, enjoying various shows—not just music—and it still keeps me interested. I don’t know if it’s because of my age or what, but I just turn it on in the morning, and it’s always there in the background. I like catching music casually; I’m not locked in, but suddenly something will pop up that I like. Those days of hearing a song nonstop until you’re sick of it are gone, and so are the ones where a song sticks around forever. Now there are so many ways to listen and all sorts of preferences. Big corporations really analyse what people respond to these days, and the average listeners are just like, “Yeah, no, yeah, no.” Sometimes the tech folks think if they keep jamming it in your face, you’ll eventually like it more. And when big bucks are pumped into something, forcing it down your throat, you can end up with something pretty average that somehow blows up just because you can’t escape it!

TEXAS HAVE SO MANY ACHIEVEMENTS IT IS PROBABLY HARD TO PICK THE BEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER, BUT AT WHAT STAGE DO YOU THINK WOW I’VE MADE IT NOTHING CAN EVER TOP THIS MOMENT?

I haven’t really thought about it that way. There have definitely been moments that blew my mind. Like, when we stepped onto the Glastonbury Pyramid stage, it was a super indie vibe that day. We were going on right before the Foo Fighters, Royal Blood, and the Arctic Monkeys, and I was like, “This is gonna be interesting. What’s this crowd gonna think of us?” We went all out, no holding back, just giving it everything we had with low expectations—just determined to own it. I think that attitude helped us connect with the audience because they responded amazingly. If you look back at that performance, there’s a moment where I just stood there, completely taken aback. It was mind-blowing to feel that energy and love coming back from such a massive crowd. It felt so special to be part of that. Those experiences are when I really feel, “Yes, this is what it’s all about.” But I’ve never been cocky enough to think I’ve made it. I’m more like, “We’ve got you right now.” Maybe that’s why our career has lasted so long—because what does it really mean to have it? When do you really know you’ve got it?

OUT OF YOUR ENTIRE BACK CATALOGUE IS THERE A SONG IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY GET THE BUZZ FROM PERFORMING LIVE EVERY TIME AND EQUALLY IS THERE ONE THAT MAKES YOU CRINGE WHEN YOU HAVE TO PERFORM IT LIVE?

There are always some songs you vibe with more than others, and then there are those that make you think, “Seriously?” It really depends on your mood, the place you’re playing, and whether the crowd’s older or younger because they all react differently. You end up switching things up a lot from gig to gig; some songs you pull out for certain spots and others you throw in based on where you are. Like, there are tracks that are big in Europe but not here, and it’s the opposite sometimes too. The OG fans who’ve been with you forever love hearing those older tracks, while the newer crowd wants the fresh stuff that speaks to them. Sometimes you mix them in, and they hit or miss, but we definitely notice that in Ireland and Scotland, people are all about a good sing-along. They really get it and dive right in. Both places are similar that way; they’re all about being present and really enjoying the show. It’s like, “We’re here, so show us what you’ve got!” We just go for it and have a blast. The Scots and the Irish are either all in or not at all, and that’s what makes us alike. We take pride in those who’ve accomplished something, respect our roots, and when someone does well, we definitely show our appreciation. No holding back at all.

I’VE GOT TO CONFESS AND PROBABLY EMBARRASS MYSELF HERE AND ADMIT, I’M A BIT OF A SUPERFAN (BUT FROM AFAR)! I’VE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO CATCH YOU LIVE BECAUSE OF WORK, FAMILY COMMITMENTS, HOLIDAYS ETC. BUT AFTER WATCHING YOU ON BBC LIVE AT GLASTONBURY, I SAID TO MY PARTNER I DIDN’T CARE WHERE, WHEN

OR HOW I WAS GOING TO SEE YOU LIVE IN 2025. I STARTED MANIFESTING ABOUT YOU HEADLINING BELSONIC OR CUSTOM HOUSE SQUARE, WHEN THEY WERE ASKING ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHO THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO SEE I MUST HAVE WRITTEN TEXAS ABOUT 100 TIMES OR MORE OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS AND NOW IT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING! YOU’VE BEEN ON MY BUCKET LIST FOR SO LONG, SO I’M BEYOND EXCITED! WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM YOUR ALMOST SOLD-OUT BELFAST GIG? AND IS THERE ANY CHANCE FOR A QUICK PHOTO OP AND MAYBE GETTING MY VINYL SIGNED? LOL!

Holy mother of god how have you allowed that to happen!!! Omg I love you! Make sure you swing by backstage and say hi—I’ll have my team sort you out with some passes, and we can catch up after the show!

Belfast better be ready for a night filled with all the hits and energy! We’re diving into a fantastic mix from all the different eras and albums from Texas, and I’m counting on an electrifying atmosphere! Let’s dance, sing, and just let loose! I’m really hoping Custom House Square brings the energy for an unforgettable night! Let’s make it epic cause I love you all in Ireland I can’t wait to see you!

SPEAKING OF VINYL, WE HAVE A RULE IN OUR HOUSE THAT ONLY THE GREATS ARE ALLOWED TO BE PLAYED ON VINYL BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT HAS LED TO ITS BIG REVIVAL. OUR GREATS CONSIST OF ARETHA FRANKLIN, ELTON JOHN, WHITNEY HOUSTON AND MORE RECENT GREATS LIKE

RAYE, LADY BLACKBIRD, AMY WINEHOUSE, THE CORRS AND OF COURSE TEXAS! DO YOU LISTEN TO VINYL AND WHO WOULD BE YOUR GREAT PLAY IN YOUR HOUSE AND WHY?

Wow, what a lineup to be part of! Vinyl is everything in my place; my daughter spins records, and her boyfriend, who’s Irish by the way, is into it too. It’s awesome to see vinyl making a comeback with the younger crowd. When I’m not around and my daughter has her friends over, I always say, “Be careful with my records, or else!” It’s funny because I remember my dad saying that to me back in the day. I’ve got vinyl from when I first started collecting at like 12. I’ve got tons of records, but I organize them in my own funky way—like “The Greats” section with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Elton John, Bowie, and then some hip hop and jazz, plus an 80s section. Sure, I could do it alphabetically, but that’s not my style. I love the randomness and having a say in who goes where; it feels good to be a bit geeky about it. It’s funny how musicians often start off as the outcasts—we were the ones nobody wanted to hang with in school, which is probably why we turned to music.

I know plenty of older musicians with wild collections from all over the world, and yeah, I’m guilty of that too. I’ve got rooms full of random stuff, each with its own story. Losing things like that would hurt way more than losing some material stuff like a car or clothes. I feel for what’s happening in LA; you can replace the big things, but not those little treasures like old photos or family keepsakes. I have so many beautiful mementoes from my mum, who passed away a while back, and losing any of them would crush me. There’s this little book she gave me when I became a mom called “Now You’re a Mum,” and she wrote a sweet note in it. Sometimes I catch myself running my fingers over her handwriting and it hits me right in the feels. It’s only when you lose someone that you truly get how much those little things mean to you.

WITH TWO PRETTY SUCCESSFUL SOLO ALBUMS LAST ONE BEING RELEASED IN 2010, SURELY WE ARE DUE A THIRD AT THIS POINT, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

None! There’s no way I’ll ever make another solo record! Been there, done that, got the badge, and I’m not interested in doing it again. When I was working on that first solo album, I had just split up with my daughter’s dad, and I was carrying a ton of emotional baggage. I couldn’t just make a Texas record; it had to be something really personal, something I needed to let go of. Ironically, I ended up involving all the Texas band members at different points while making it. It was all about getting those feelings out, shaking them off, and then getting back to being part of Texas. I wanted to express my emotions in a very feminine way, and honestly, I don’t even see those solo albums as part of the Texas journey, even though they kind of are in a way. That first record was my way to vent, clear my head and throw away, while the Texas stuff is something I cherish and don’t ever want to throw away. Musicians often draw from their life experiences, but this one wasn’t a pleasant process for me. I write with Jonny all the time for Texas, blending all kinds of styles, but this was different. I just needed to get everything out and flush it away, you know?

WE KNOW HOGMANAY 2024 GOT CANCELLED DUE TO THE STORMS ETC. THAT WAS TO BE YOUR 3RD TIME PLAYING IT. HOPEFULLY YOU’LL GET TO PLAY 2025? APART FROM YOUR CURRENT 19 LIVE DATES, WHAT’S ON THE CARDS FOR TEXAS THIS YEAR? NEW MATERIAL/ALBUM MAYBE?

I was absolutely gutted; we were in Glasgow rehearsing when the news came. We had just been getting into the groove for about an hour, and then suddenly after a phone call it hit us that everything was cancelled! It was such a letdown after feeling all pumped and ready for a great show. Who knows what will happen next? They usually book these things far in advance for Hogmanay, so they might already have someone lined up, but there’s always a chance we could be asked back!

There are actually 30 live dates planned! I know you’ve obviously only seen the listings on the UK and Ireland Ticketmaster sites, but there are also plenty of European dates scheduled. This year is all about festivals for us; we won’t be going on an official Texas tour, but I can share that as we speak right now we’re currently working on a new Texas album! When I say working we’re recording but it’s not the classic way where everything is already written before we get to the studio. We’re creating as we go, laying down new songs, but we don’t even have a rough release date just yet.

We’ll figure out the plan once we have enough material to shape the album’s personality and sound. It’s all about getting it just right! We do have plans mapped out to at least until 2027, but I can’t spill the details just yet—it’s a bit of a secret for now!

YOU CAN CATCH SHARLEEN AND THE BAND WHEN THEY PLAY CHSQ BELFAST ON SUNDAY 17TH AUG 2025. FINAL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL USUAL OUTLETS.