THIS week we chat with accomplished singer and musical theatre performer Alice Bottomley.<\/p>\n
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What initially motivated you to become a singer and performer?<\/strong><\/p>\n My grandfather was the organist and choirmaster at our local church for 60 years. As children and young teenagers we were all a part of the choir. My parents are both singers too. My dad studied at Victorian College of the Arts and they were both involved in amateur and professional musical theatre. Every young girl aspires to be a pop star, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n Obviously starting out as a choral singer, mainly with religious music, that was the way I was gently nudged, but always liked to push the boundaries. It took me a long time to discover my sound because I\u2019d been sort of conditioned in that style. I would describe my sound as big and soulful. As I got older I spent a lot of time listening to Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac and then I realised that whilst I was an average classical singer, I actually had something really special once I found what my voice could really do.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which other singers inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I have such a broad range of inspiration, from Stevie Nicks to Van Morrison to Broadway, to Nat Cole, Tony Bennett, all the way through to Dolly Parton, Whitesnake, Air Supply, Foreigner, Elvis, and Johnny Cash. Whilst I enjoy your everyday top 40 artists, the music that really hits me in the soul is the old stuff and not just the songs but the history, the culture and the way music has evolved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are some highlights you have from your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve been very lucky to have many incredible opportunities thus far, being a part of X Factor<\/em> in 2014, flying to New York and singing for John Legend, all the amazing roles I\u2019ve been fortunate to play within the musical theatre scene, working on and writing my own EP with an incredibly talented producer, who also happens to be a dear friend, performing at fundraisers, high profile events, and even something as simple as singing in the car with my family. \u00a0I find such joy in performing, it doesn\u2019t matter where it is or who it\u2019s for.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n