Dave Stewart, Video Interview

Dave Stewart
Video Interview

Contactmusic.com caught up with Dave Stewart recently in a Soho hotel to talk about his new release Platinum Weird.

For the past six months the publicity behind Dave Stewart's latest music project, Platinum Weird, has sparked off fascination and keen interest amongst classic rock fans around the world. Platinum Weird is the name of Dave's new rock band. This is no ordinary band, but what it does have is an extraordinary past. Stewart has returned to Platinum Weird 32 years after the band originally split.

In 2004 Stewart hooked up with acclaimed LA-based songwriter Kara DioGuardi to write songs for The Pussycat Dolls. The pair struck an instant bond and re-launched Platinum Weird, the constant being Stewart, with the sole intention of continuing their passion for no-frills 70s-inspired rock'n'roll.

In 1974 Stewart was originally a member of a short-lived band named Platinum Weird signed to Elton John's Rocket Records label. On the eve of the album's debut release in `74, the original lead singer, Erin Grace, suddenly disappeared.

Don't let Platinum Weird's rich history take away from the band's incredibly moving rock'n'roll songs. The feature single, Will You Be Around, could easily be an outtake from Fleetwood Mac's Rumors sessions. The previously unreleased 1974 album, Make Believe, will be released by Interscope Records in North America on October 10th, followed by a European released by Weapons of Mass Entertainment through Universal on October 30th.

In addition to writing hundreds of songs with Annie Lennox via Eurythmics, Stewart has also written songs with Mick Jagger, Bono, Sinead O'Conner, Bryan Ferry, Bob Geldof, Anastacia, Jon Bon Jovi, and has produced everyone from Aretha Franklin to the Ramones.

Kara DioGuardi is currently America's most celebrated female songwriter, and has penned songs for Santana, Christina Aguilera, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Kylie Minogue.

During Stewart's success with Eurythmics, Kara DioGuardi was a young schoolgirl living in the upscale neighborhood of Scarsdale, an hour north of New York City. Her early interest in music was encouraged by an older woman who lived nearby and became her mentor in those formative years. By 2004, having become, as an adult, a successful songwriter, with scores of hit songs to her credit, Kara teamed up with Stewart under the guidance of legendary record producer Jimmy Iovine. The magical synchronicity enabled Platinum Weird to restore its musical legacy and reach out to a new generation.

Dave is special guest on Later With Jools Holland on November 3rd at 11:30pm on BBC2. Dave will appear alongside Muse, Amy "I'm Not Drunk" Winehouse, The Racantours, The Duke Spirit, Gypsy Kings and John Legend.

On November 14th Dave presents Bon Jovi with an award at the UK Music Hall of Fame Awards at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday November 14th. The show will air on Channel 4 on Thursday November 16th.