Nelly Furtado: The Interview

[Ian]

The red-hot Canadian singer, who will be the feature performer in the 2006 Rogers Grey Cup Halftime Show, talks about the Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League, her allegiances to the provinces of B.C. and Ontario, her smashing CD Loose and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, who will sing the national anthem at the Grey Cup.
Q: When you were first approached about the idea of performing at halftime of the Grey Cup, what was your reaction?
A: About six months ago (I was approached). I was really excited. It’s a real Canadian event, and I’ve never been a part of something like this before. I love doing sporting events. There is always a lot of adrenaline, just a really big burst of energy in the air.
Q: What will make this appearance different from playing in a concert venue?
A: I love playing huge stadiums and sporting venues. There’s always lot of variables, sonically, with the acoustics and the loud of the crowd noise. It’s always spontaneous with it being live to air. We will be doing our best to get the crowd involved.
Q: You recorded a sports anthem song a few years ago called Forca for the European Soccer Championships. What was that like?
A: Writing the theme for the EuroCup was amazing, and I really felt the excitement and felt like I was part of the event. The song was an important part of tournament. The song was played a lot. It’s also special because the chorus is written in Portuguese. There are certain soccer songs I like, and I felt up to the task of writing my own. And when you write a song for events like this they usually stick around for a while.
Q: Have you ever been to a Grey Cup? If not, do you have any recollections watching it on TV?
A: I have seen it a couple times on TV. But I have never been to a game. I am looking forward to it. I don’t know a lot about football. I’m very naive when it comes to it. I know more about basketball and soc.cer.
Q: You were born in British Columbia, did you ever go to see the B.C. Lions play?
A: No, I never had the opportunity, but I heard a lot about it.
Q: Do you have any interest in the Canadian Football League?
A: I am learning more about it.
Q: When you moved to Toronto a few years ago, did your provincial allegiances change insofar as the CFL is concerned?
A: I am slowly feeling loyal to Ontario, but my B.C. loyalty will never die. But you gotta represent the province you live in.
Q: During your many travels, have you ever met a CFL player?
A: Not yet. I guess I don’t get out enough. I don’t meet that many athletes.
Q: Your third CD is taking off, how much of a surprise is this to you?
A: I didn’t know what to expect with my third album. I was taking a lot of risks and having fun, but you have to take risks and hope they pay off. I am happy the fans are enjoying it and they seem enthusiastic about it. It feels great and I look forward to making music for a lifetime.
Q: What did producer Timbaland, who is featured in the single Promiscuous, add to your musical career, both technically and artistically?
A: He is amazing. He is a genius. I love working with him. I feel more powerful and in my element as an artist. We really enjoy working together and we will be making music together for a long time. We are friends and he is one of my favourite people to collaborate. He has an innate sense of rhythm. This CD is so rhythmic and that is one of the reasons why it has been received well. It’s fun to dance to, the beats are so provocative.
Q: The national anthem will be sung by Eva Avila, whom you had a chance to see firsthand during an appearance on Canadian Idol and who lists you as one of her idols. What makes her so special and do you foresee working with her (this is assuming that you're not already helping her on her CD)?
A: We might be helping Eva with some of her CD. She is a great girl, really genuine, and down to earth and smart. It is just the beginning for her. She is going to go places. I think she has a lot to offer. Being trilingual is a huge asset when trying to be an international pop star. I also think she has a lot of range and really sings with passion.

[Lanakila]

Thanks alot.

[iambored]

thanks!

[taylor]

great intfo! thanks for sharing!

[nelly87]

thank u sooo much, love it !

[Kimmy26]

hehe thanks for that ian

[nelly87]

shes a great Canadian, u think she feels more Canadian than Portuguese?

[Ib_1]

^I bett she feels Canadian And portuguese equal,
Im morrocan, but I also feel dutch since i live their .Geuss its natural

[nelly87]

yeah but she lives in Canada and was born there...i will ask her when i have the oppurnity to

[Ib_1]

^please do ,I think she will need a while to anser that