From Young Talent Time to pop diva, serious singer songwriter to musical theatre, French chanteuse to independent artist and mother, it’s easy to forget all the different phases of Tina Arena’s career and life. With over 30 years experience as a performer, Arena is set to join the WA Symphony Orchestra for a series of concerts.
‘It’s a really interesting musical night, it goes through a few of the classics I’ve had, numbers from Songs of Love and Loss Volume 1 and 2, and we’re adding some new repertoire, trying some new stuff. I love playing a whole spectrum of music.
Free of the constraints of a major label deal Arena’s last two English albums featured a diverse range of covers from Bacharach and David classics to more modern songs by artist like Nik Kershaw, Kate Bush and Sting.
‘Those songs are snapshots, they’re like photo’s’ says Arena, ‘I was listening to them at a particular time in my life, they inspired me. The albums were about paying tribute to those artists and singers who had really marked my journey.’
Re-interpreting the works of your heroes is no easy task. We asked Arena how she approached taking on the greats.
‘I never overdose on listening to stuff, I’m one of those people who likes to remain incredibly naive, therefore it enables me to give it my slant. I just do what touches me and go purely on instinct, the emotional feeling.’
On the flip side of the cover experience, Arena has found her own tunes have become popular material for American country singers.
‘It’s amazing, there’s only one way to look at that kind of stuff and it’s to be incredibly flattered by it, it’s a great compliment to me. It’s like someone saying, this song really touches me, I identify with it. I think that’s the greatest compliment you can be given as a singer or songwriter. I think they’re all really courageous, they’re good singers, the women in Nashville.’
Arena is well known for being forthright in her views, so it’s no surprise that her forays into musical theatre have been playing bold characters like Cabaret’s Sally Bowles and Chicago’s Roxy Hart.
‘I’ve always had a connection with the character’s I’ve played, I feel like they’re a part of me. Although I wouldn’t say Sally Bowles is completely like me… her addiction to cocaine was something that is not my cup of tea, but her sense of insecurity, its part and parcel of the artistic life.’
Returning to musicals in the future is not out of the question for Arena,
‘I really love Nine, I remember doing Nine in 1987 with John Diedrich and 21 women. It’s a long time ago, I’m very surprised that nobody has put that show on again, I would love to attack one of the roles in that.’ Reflecting on the production Arena notes, ‘I think Australia’s are very avant-guarde, John Diedrich was incredibly brave to put Nine on. It was visually spectacular and sonically spectacular, with a cast that was diverse and interesting. That shows really fascinates me.
‘A straight on play is something I would like to approach at some point’ says Arena cautiously, indicating It would have to be the right one to tempt her away from family commitments. Family is the centre of Arena’s life today. As we chat on the phone from her home in France Arena pauses to speak to her five year old son.
Last year Arena was featured on the W.A. produced program ‘Who Do You Think You Are’, her episode gave the series its highest ever ratings and Arena explains that finding out more about her families roots is something she is proud of.
‘It was life changing’, she explains, ‘It was positive and personal, but it was opening Pandora’s box, not just for me, but particularly for my parents. It was confronting and it certainly stirred a hell of a lot of emotions. I think the good thing was it paid tribute to two very intriguing families.
‘The journey was interesting, it changed my life, to be very honest, it enabled me to able to give something to my son, it gave me the opportunity to discuss things with my parents that maybe been avoided before, it was a very positive experience.
Arena shares that the feedback she received after the show becoming public was confronting. After the screening she received letters asking her to apologise to her mother.
‘You want to respond’, she says ‘but you can’t, then you really do open up a can of worms, my mother and I have had issues in the past, who doesn’t have issues with their parents? It’s such a bloody normal thing. It’s wonderful to be able to get to 43 years of age and look at your Mum and your Father and be happy and open about things, our relationship is a very healthy one’
Later this year Arena hopes to head into the studio to record a new album, no longer signed to a major label she enjoys the creative independence, but highlights that getting on stage in front of audience is her favourite part of the business.
‘The greatest most fantasmical moment is when you’re on stage, having a great time telling stories and having an audience that is kind enough to listen, that’s the greatest part of it.’
Graeme Watson
