Craig Hanlon-Smith

Carol Decker and T’Pau first appeared on the music scene in 1987 with the quadruple platinum album Bridge of Spies which spawned five hit singles including the US smash Heart and Soul which stayed on the Billboard charts for six months. China in Your Hand remained at the top of the UK charts for five weeks and the country went T’Pau mad.

The albums Rage and The Promise followed as did sell out tours culminating in performances at Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC.

Having recently become a mainstay of Here & Now tours and Rewind festivals, Carol marks the 25th anniversary of T’Pau with a headline UK tour in April, May and June with co-founder Ronnie Rogers, and a new compilation CD/DVD The Story Behind The Tracks.

What are your memories of T’Pau’s success?

“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. Sometimes it seems like five minutes ago but then I catch an old T’Pau video and we all look like babies and I realise how long ago it was. I look at my daughter Scarlett who is now 14 and I see her face not mine in those videos. My memories range from reigning at number one in many countries to shaking hands with the great and the good: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Debbie Harry; singing for Charles and Diana; selling out arenas; tons of exciting show biz bashes like the Brits and the Ivor Novello Awards and of course when we misbehaved on tour!

“In the years immediately after, there seemed to be somewhat of an 1980s back-lash. It was a politically challenging time, the music and fashion were laughed off as uncool and lacking substance, but now we can’t get enough of it.”

What’s your experience of that in/out cycle and why are we all 1980s crazy again?

“For a time we were almost reviled as cheesy 1980s pop stars and I was totally out in the cold. It was incredulous to me as the 1980s was the most diverse, creative and imaginative decade for everything from technology to fashion and music, it was such an optimistic time. I think after the dirge of the 1990s people wanted to have fun again and so rediscovered us. I got a call in 2001 to do a Here & Now tour and I haven’t stopped working since on a variety of 1980s line-ups and big 1980s weekenders.

“The live work is the thing, people want to see us in the flesh. Performing live has always been vital to what I do. I really enjoyed going to gigs myself, to be in the same room as the artist I admired was so exciting, so the smaller the gig the better from that point of view. Having said that I do really get off on performing to vast crowds at festivals.

“Live work is the mainstay of my career these days with the record companies having practically disintegrated and illegal downloading annihilating that part of our income stream. Being there on the stage is about the only part an artist can control.”

At the height of your success, there was a real surge in the presence and success of women in international music. What do you think inspired that female dominance of music or helped enable it?

“I don’t know why that happened, I have always just done my own thing. I know I was inspired by all sorts of artists, male and female, I didn’t only look at female role models but maybe the time was right for determined women like me to punch through. I can’t speak for the likes of Cher or Madonna’s success any more than I can speak for Bon Jovi’s. This is a tough business and you have to be wilful to get somewhere. You have to believe in your music and persuade the money men that you’re worth a bet.

“In the entertainment world, women over fifty are/were sometimes seen as very much in the shadows, we’re obsessed with the next ingénue and the eternal quest for youth. Recently Olivia Newton John played Brighton on her first UK tour since 1978, Cher and Agnetha from ABBA are about to release new material, Bonnie Tyler is representing the UK at Eurovision and here you are with T’Pau25.”

What do we want from the pop stateswomen that we don’t get from the younger crew?

“The young still like the artists of their own generation, that’s not changed. We older girls appeal to our original fan base and I think that the 40-something demographic wants to hear the music they grew up with and will spend money on going to a show. I think they like the fact that we are still doing it, respect us for it and I think my fans like my single mindedness as well as my music.

“If I’d listened years ago to all the nay-sayers who told me the odds were stacked against success I’d never have had a career so I don’t listen to anyone who thinks I should hang up my mic. I’ll do it when I want to.”

China in Your Hand featured on X Factor last year. What advice would you give young artists trying to make it in the music industry and would you have gone on that type show in your early career?

“I may well have gone down that route, why not? As long as you prove yourself, who cares how you get your break. Having said that I’m SO over reality shows – it’s all a bit dull. I think these shows clog up the industry and it seems like it’s the only way now. The whole point of being a musician is to not conform.

I was 28 when I got my record deal and 30 when China was number one and I was still totally overwhelmed by what happened to me. Maybe I would’ve been even more so if I’d been very young, who knows? I don’t blame kids for giving it a shot, the rewards seem so appealing, but we’ve bred a generation who think it’s their right to be famous on very little talent but there’s no easy way – it’s hard work.”

What can we expect at T’Pau25 live shows?

“We’ll be performing the big hits, favoured album tracks and a couple of ‘ones that got away’. I have a rocking band and I’m so happy that Ronnie can to do the tour.”

What are your personal favourites from the T’Pau back catalogue?

“I love Heart & Soul from Bridge of Spies. It’s hip and a cool groove and my favourite song as a writer. A Place In My Heart from The Promise album has a stadium rock feel and gets you up on your feet! Road To Our Dream from Rage is a story of endeavour, an everyman tale and I think most people connect with the idea that anything worth pursuing isn’t always easy to achieve.”

For full 30 date tour including south coast venues, CLICK HERE:

For the Story Behind The Tracks CD/DVD, CLICK HERE:

The Isle of Wight evokes many memories of childhood school holidays exploring its family friendly beaches and amusement centres but as an adult, for many the island had lost out to its staycation Cornish and Devonshire competitors.

Not so anymore. The reintroduction of the Isle of Wight festival, for decades a legendary memory of Woodstock proportions, has injected a deep shot of cool into one of the south coasts most aesthetically pleasing locations which transcends the age barriers of many festivals and which has mainlanders in their thousands flooding back. And you should too.

Yes the Island proudly boasts some of the United Kingdoms most spectacular coastline and blue flag beaches, but in recent years has been at the centre of award winning ecologically sound tourism and a perfect blend of both bijou relaxing accommodation and restful sun soaked afternoons following a more adventurous early start enjoying spectacular panoramic views across the Island’s north coast, Solent and mainland’s distant bustle.

Who would ever have thought the words ‘caravan’ and ‘cool’ would be natural bedfellows but with Vintage vacations the unthinkable has been perfectly established. Located just outside popular resort Ryde it’s hard to believe your eyes when first taking in the sight of a trailer park with a twist, all gleaming silver Americana, rather than tatty white plastic vans. You would be forgiven for feeling as though you were enjoying the Californian sunshine back in the 1960s. Vintage Vacations were amongst the very first businesses offering ‘Glamping’ holidays in the UK … and the original Glamping holiday on the Isle of Wight.

All Airstreams have been restored to great original condition – their owners preferring to restore rather than refurbish – which really helps to keeps the ‘soul’ of the caravan and continues the tradition of many happy holidays past. What this means is that if the original Formica and door handles (for example) are a bit worn but still working perfectly these remain intact, but the cookers, soft furnishings and beds etc have been replaced with sympathetic alternatives. Vintage fabrics and accessories allow your mind to play fantastical tricks upon your sense of time and place as your sleepy afternoon in a striped deckchair plays host to the expanse of your imagination. Pop Mamas & The Papas onto your iPod and you’re away. Well worth a staycation.

Unique to the Island is the tree top adventure with the award winning Goodleaf Tree Climbing. Speaking from personal experience, we were given plenty of time to learn the ropes with a friendly, qualified and experienced instructor before taking to the canopy. Using the latest climbing and safety gear, we had a great time ascending into the branches and trying out our new tree climbing skills, and at the top, time to enjoy the beautiful countryside and sea views from the birds’ nest adjacent tree hammock. The session was fantastic fun, adventurous but safe, eco-friendly to boot and left us with a great sense of achievement. The tree climbing package is a cracking way to spend half a day with friends and even if an active holiday is not your usual bent, the climb is achievable, comfortable, stretches you as much as you want to be stretched (or not if you don’t), and the views from the top are truly breathtaking. If there’s a group of you, you’ll get exclusive use of Good Leaf’s experienced and friendly team and all climbs include light but welcome refreshments upon your descent. Goodleaf also offer a three day course for the more committed climbers details of which are available on their website.

To really take advantage of everything the island has to offer we recommend a diverse stay on the Island that takes in both the charm and action of the vintage vacation and Good Leaf experience, with the relaxation opportunities provided by some of the more exclusive hotels and off the beaten track locations. Adjacent to Ryde and a stones throw from the Good Leaf base is the attractive hamlet of Seaview (the name says it all) and The Seaview Hotel. We much prefer the (slightly) faded glamour but theatrical grandiose surroundings of The Priory Bay Hotel which sits on the edge of both Seaview and the Island itself above its own private and truly beautiful beach. Should you be more than happy, appropriately so, with your week in an Airstream, The Priory Bay is also worth dropping into for a suitably grand afternoon tea or morning coffee in its Victorian drawing room before strolling around its lush grounds (a glass of fizz overlooking The Solent is also recommended).

Longer visits must take in Steep Hill Cove just south of Ventnor, which is only accessible on foot but plays host to excellent sea food eateries thriving on local produce. Even the Islands contribution to the UKs list of ‘faded glory’ seaside towns hold a much more romantic atmosphere than their mainland cousins, and for the more daring amongst you the naturist beaches of Blackgang and Yaverland near Culver, knock the salt aired socks of that rubbish pile of stones in Brighton.

Looking for an Island hop this summer? One hop and you’ll want to stop.

Wight Link sail from Portsmouth and offer short (30minute) crossings to Fishbourne on the Island, although Red Funnel from Southampton is only an hours sail, more financially reasonable and an all round more pleasant start to your visit.

More details including rates and availability are available on the following websites: