Lady GaGa Interview

Lady Gaga is (as we write this) No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic with her single Just Dance.

So far she's the most successful of our Spanking New For 09 nominees having also written for other massive artists like New Kids On The Block, Akon and Nicole Scherzinger.

But will that mean she'll win the vote?

We talked to the 22 year old (real name Joanne Stefani Germanotta) on the phone from LA as she shot two music videos.

Q: How does it feel to be number one in the UK and in the US?

A: It feels really great- it feels even better because we worked really hard. I wrote Just Dance exactly a year ago. It was hard work and a lot of people didn't believe in it at first. I'll be glad to get to London - I'm gonna show everyone in the UK what I'm made of.

Q: Is it important for you to be successful in the UK?

A: As somebody who has been obsessed with The Beatles and David Bowie it definitely is. The UK has a very specific way it receives pop music. It means a bit more to be received here. I tailor my music in line with many British who came way before me.

Q: Are you playing gigs while you're over in the UK?

A: Im touring with the Pussycat Dolls. Its crazy that my first tour in the UK is in arenas. I just want to get in with my fans at the shows. I have a very special place in my heart for this country.

Q: Are you friends with Pussycat Dolls?

A: I love Nicole (Scherzinger) and they are all so sweet and so sexy. Im very lucky to be on tour with such humble young women.

Q: You've written for New Kids On The Block, Akon and Nicole before- are you still gonna write for other people now you're a success?

A: Im still writing even though I don't have as much time as usual. Im gonna have a couple of really big songs (for other artists) later this year.

Q: Tell us a bit about your album The Fame?

A: I just feel like this record is really different- you've got club bangers to more 70s Glam to more singer-songwriter records to rock music. What I really love about the UK is that I'm not the first electro-pop artists to come around!

The Fame is not about who you are- its about how everybody wants to know who you are! Buy it and listen to it before you go out or in the car.

Q: When was it recorded?

A: I've been writing it for 2 and a half years. I wrote half of the album in one week last January. I think you've really got to allow artists creativity to marinate. It took me a while but really delving into myself I finally got it.

I couldn't be more proud of it. It's not just a record its a whole pop art movement Its not just about one song.

By Tom Thorogood