Greener Pastures: a No Doubt fan site
December 8th, 2014

new Spin magazine article

Spin magazine has posted a great new interview with Gwen in which she shares a lot of interesting information. They’ve also shared some behind the scenes photos from the “Spark The Fire” video shoot:


“When Gwen Stefani calls SPIN from her Los Angeles home, she’s unwinding in her bed wearing a robe, letting the stress of the full-day photo shoot that she just finished fade away. “I’m so lucky right now,” she says, referring both to her cozy lounging and the reception to her new solo single, “Spark the Fire.” Produced by Pharrell Williams, the song followed October’s reggae-tinged “Baby Don’t Lie.”

Both singles will appear on Stefani’s upcoming third solo record, which very nearly almost never happened. The pop icon spoke with SPIN about the writing and recording of her newest effort, reuniting with No Doubt, and working alongisde new collaborators such as Calvin Harris and Charli XCX..

Your new single features production by Pharrell. What do you think he brings out of you as a collaborator and producer?
Our whole relationship is crazy because back in the day, I really wanted No Doubt to do something with the Neptunes. I thought, “Let’s do something with someone outside of the band. Lets write a song with someone in hip-hop.” That was the skinny of our Rock Steady album, which was all about collaborating and being open. It’s my favorite that we’ve ever made. We went in the studio and wrote “Hella Good” really quickly. I noticed that Pharrell wasn’t just a hip-hop guy. He was always in his own lane. I noticed so many similarities between us in the things we like to write about, like style, and fashion, plus we both love Japan.

We weren’t friends yet then. We did the song together, but then when I did “Hollaback Girl,” I spent a lot more time with him. Then time went by, and I hadn’t really seen him. Then, all of the sudden, he does Despicable Me, and I was like “Whoa, that’s incredible! You did a soundtrack!” Then my kids started going, “I want to be in the ‘Happy’ video!” I emailed him like, “My kids are obsessed with you and I need to send you a video of them doing your song!” He wrote me back saying, “That’s awesome. I’m doing Coachella, I know you just had your baby a minute ago but we should do this together.” I wanted to do it because I wanted to show off to the kids and it seemed so fun. The first time I left the house after giving birth was to go on stage and do “Hollaback Girl” with Pharrell at Coachella.

Then [they] called me about The Voice, and I was like, “That’s crazy, would I do that kind of thing?” Then I found out Pharrell was doing it, so we decided to do it together. I think he’s an incredible guy. He has so much wisdom and positivity and he really has a way of making me feel good about myself. Being around that makes you wanna do great things.

We went in and did these two really weird songs together that he loved, but I was kind of like, “Is this what I’m doing? This is so weird!” The guy is all over the place, and I said to him, “I really want something like…” — well, he claims that I said I wanted something hard. The next morning, he came into my trailer and was adamant about playing me this track. He started playing the first version of “Spark the Fire” while singing this melody on top of it and I just gave him a big hug; I was like “That’s it!”

Was Pharrell bringing you out at Coachella the impetus for your return to solo music? What was it about right now for you that felt right for a return?
That’s a really good question. To be honest, I had no intention to ever do another solo record. I was in the studio with No Doubt after our last record. That last session we had was with Pharrell, and then I got pregnant unexpectedly, like a teenager. I got very sick, so everything stopped.

That was good though, because I needed that time to enter my cocoon and blossom into my next chapter. Before that, we were in the studio experimenting with a lot of different people. It was OK; there were certain times when we were so great, and there were other times where it felt like so much effort, so it was good timing to say, “Let’s take a break on this.”

Only four or five weeks after I had the baby, they called me to do The Voice. I was never expecting to do that, but when the opportunity came along, I was also itching to do new music. I didn’t even care if it was hopping on someone else’s song, I just knew that I couldn’t keep being the “Hollaback Girl.” Something new had to happen, and there was no way to do a No Doubt record in that short amount of time, because the way we write, it takes a long time.

At first I was like, “Oh, I’ll just put out a record! Let’s do it!” But now I’m like, “Wait a minute.” I feel like I was getting rushed by doing the show and trying to put the record out and having a new baby and doing No Doubt shows. It was just a lot to handle at one time, so I’m still working on the music and I think the only way to do it right now, with everything going on in my life, is to collaborate. Some of the best thing I’ve ever done — things I think are my favorite — are the collaborations.

Maybe then I’ll go back and do some No Doubt stuff. I feel like I’m in a time period where I can’t predict what’s gonna happen. I feel really happy to have something new out. It’s scary, too, because now everybody has such access to you and you have access to what everyone thinks of you, and I really didn’t really grow up that way.

In terms of collaborators, I read that you worked with Charli XCX on a session, and you’ve mentioned not liking to write with women in the past. Why is that, and what was it about Charli that clicked?
Yeah, the way that Charli and I worked together was that we really didn’t work together. [Laughs.] She wrote with Benny [Blanco] and then I wrote with Benny separately. I wrote her an email and was like, “This is so weird that I haven’t ever met you and now we have this song.” I think out of all the writers out there, male and female, I really like her style the most. I think that she comes up with really good melodies. I feel really lucky to work with her in the weird way that we did. It’d be interesting to actually be in the studio with her. I’d be intimidated. It’s always awkward for me to be vulnerable when I’m in the studio with people, but sometimes really great stuff comes out of that. You just have to be brave enough to do it.

I would love to work with Chris Martin, too. I’ve tried to get him to work with me for ten years, so maybe he’ll do it this time. [Laughs.] I just did stuff with Calvin Harris too. I’ve got a good start on the record. Sia and I did a session with Pharrell and No Doubt. She’s a genius and I love working with her. There’s a song on the record called “Start a War” that she wrote that I’m very grateful for. I think that girls are gonna love that one. I’m gonna definitely go back in with Pharrell, and I know that I want to work with Diplo. There’s so many people!

I just feel happy to be doing new music. I didn’t really count on it. I always thought that no one would care about me anymore, and then I would fizzle out and I’d have my family and my clothing lines. That was the plan I had 12 years ago when I started L.A.M.B. I was like, “I’ll do my line and I’ll have my kids, and that’s it.” Being able to do new music is more precious than ever before.

I heard rumors that No Doubt plans to reunite to headline some festivals next year. How excited you are to play new stuff for the fans?
It’s surreal to be up there with them. We still have a lot of fun onstage because we have a lot of chemistry and once we get together, it really feels like we’re being transported to a place where no time has passed. It’s a great feeling and it’s something that I’ll never be able to get anywhere else but right there with [those guys].

I don’t think we’re planning on touring, because I don’t feel comfortable what with all the kids in school right now, but if any shows come up that feel right, it only takes a minute to get things going again. It’s still a really good time for me. I feel like I get to do every single thing I want: having another new baby, doing No Doubt, doing The Voice, and doing new music on my own. There are so many lanes and I feel so lucky to get the chance to take them all.”

Heather :)

December 8th, 2014

Gwen in January issue of O magazine

Hello! Gwen is going to be featured in the January issue of O, The Oprah Magazine! People magazine has shared a preview of the feature:

O magazine January 2015
“We’re constantly taking fashion (and beauty) cues from trendsetting designer, musician and Voice judge, Gwen Stefani. But where does the icon draw inspiration for her always-envious rocker-chic style? Her younger self.

Stefani, who is featured in the January issue of O, The Oprah Magazine discusses fashion, along with her guilty pleasures and family traditions, and shared that her killer style is based off of her own pre-teen wardrobe. (How very meta of her!)

“My eighth-grade self,” she says when asked about what influences her outfit choices. “In 1982, I was into ska music, James Dean, and the Latino culture in my Southern California neighborhood. As a result, I tried to dress outside the box, different from what the other kids were wearing, with a laid-back vibe — and big accessories. More than 30 years later, that’s still my look.”

With a style as iconic as Stefani’s, it’s no wonder the star turns to her earlier years. But with three successful clothing lines to date, we happen to think the fashion mogul’s 2014 looks are some of her best yet.”

Heather :)

December 6th, 2014

Rolling Stone – new Gwen article

Hello! Check out this great new article from Rolling Stone:

The Voice - Season 7

How Gwen Stefani Discovered Emojis and Jump-Started Her Career
Stefani strikes back: inside her first solo album since 2006’s ‘The Sweet Escape’
By Patrick Doyle | December 4, 2014

“I had a couple of hard years,” says Gwen Stefani, looking back on the sessions for No Doubt’s 2012 album, Push and Shove. It was the band’s first LP in 11 years, and Stefani recorded much of it while her husband, Gavin Rossdale, was on tour with a reunited Bush, which left her to handle her sons Kingston, now 8, and Zuma, 6. “I would get my kids ready for school, drop them off, go in the studio and be home by four to make dinner.” The record scored no hits, and the band didn’t tour after its release. “I’m sad it didn’t connect,” she says.

Stefani, 45, has channeled the turmoil into her new solo album (out early next year), her first since 2006’s The Sweet Escape. She had been thinking for years about going solo again, but struggled to write material on par with hits like 2004’s “Hollaback Girl.” “I wasn’t gonna bring back the Harajuku Girls,” she says, referring to her former Japanese backup dancers. “You kind of run out of ideas. After a while, you’re just competing with yourself.”

Stefani points to the birth of her third son, Apollo, in February, as the turning point. After a rough pregnancy (“I was throwing up all the time and couldn’t do anything”), she took a job as a judge on The Voice, partly to be close to Pharrell Williams, who helped write and produce several of her hits. Williams was determined to get Stefani back in the studio. “It was time for her to really express herself and not have a bunch of people telling her what to do,” he says. “I held up the mirror and [said], ‘Do you know who’s in there? Do you know how many people respect that person?’ The more she saw, the deeper she reached, and the crazier the stuff came out.”

They recorded two songs, the frenetic dance-pop cut “Spark the Fire” and a punkish track on which Stefani sings about emojis. “I went, ‘Oh, my God, it’s the evolution from what I did before,’ ” she says. After that, Stefani started recording in her living room with producer Benny Blanco. “She’s an open book,” says Blanco. “She’s cuckoo, she’s a superhero, but there’s vulnerability there.” Stefani also wrote with young hitmakers like Calvin Harris and Charli XCX (“I don’t usually want to work with other girl writers – but she had my vibe”). “Even the biggest people [she worked with] were star-struck,” says Blanco.

Most of the album came together within six months – unusually fast for the obsessive Stefani. “It’s addictive,” she says. “I can put this out, and do another No Doubt record.” She probably won’t tour behind the LP, but is already working with No Doubt on a Pharrell-produced song for the Paddington soundtrack (though the song may now be released as a Pharrell/Stefani track), and the band will play festivals this summer. “I’m shocked people still care,” she says. “Doing another solo record and recording No Doubt music and being on The Voice and having three boys all at one time, that just wasn’t something I could dream up in my mind.””

Heather :)

December 6th, 2014

No Doubt to play KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas!

Hello! From the official:

AAC-2014-Lineup-INSTA-3.jpg

“We’re excited to announce that we’ll be joining the incredible lineup at Night 2 of the 25th Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Forum on Sunday, December 14!

Tony called into The Kevin & Bean Show this morning (the 4th) to break the news.”

Audio interview, and article from KROQ:

“Our friends NO DOUBT have been added to the night 2 lineup!

This will mark the 6th appearance at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas for the band, who last played in 2012 when they came out as the surprise guest. The band will perform alongside other night 2 bands Alt-J, Imagine Dragons, Interpol, Modest Mouse, Smashing Pumpkins, Tears For Fears, Vance Joy, and Weezer.

No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal called in to The Kevin & Bean Show this morning (12/4) to break the news on-air with the guys. Listen to the full interview above.

“We were talking, and we were talking about how important KROQ has been to us over the years and honestly if it wasn’t for you guys we wouldn’t be where we are today. You guys helped break us, you guys have been so supportive of us and we heard you have a big party coming up, the 25th anniversary of the [Almost] Acoustic Christmas. Honestly, I was going to call you and say ‘Can we get some tickets?’ because we saw the lineup and we were like ‘Wow, we have to come see this show.’ Then we were talking and we’re like ‘What better way to see the show than be on stage and play, so I’m actually calling to see if it’s cool if we come and rock out with you guys.”

“I think you started playing us in ’95 and I think that was actually the first time we played the Acoustic Christmas. I was trying to count how many times we’ve done the Acoustic Christmas or Weenie Roast, and I can’t figure it out. It’s been quite a few times.””

Heather :)

December 6th, 2014

Gwen teams up with Mastercard

From Billboard.com:

Gwen mastercard

“Gwen Stefani is taking her cues from Justin Timberlake. Like JT in 2013, her last solo album was released in 2006 (The Sweet Escape), so anticipation for its follow-up (due in early 2015) and accompanying tour is high. Along for the ride: MasterCard, whose Priceless Surprises program Timberlake helped co-found as part of a multiyear partnership inked with the company in 2013.

Beginning Dec. 8, Stefani will be the new face for the campaign and appear in a TV commercial giving out everything from a handbag to concert tickets. The partnership tees up a busy 2015 for Stefani and MasterCard that will include live events, support of her next solo album and upcoming projects with No Doubt, her first tour since 2007 and “Priceless Surprises” in markets around the world. Timberlake, for example, starred in a 2014 Grammy spot in which he showed up unannounced on a fan’s doorstep, and participated in other surprises in Canada, Turkey and Australia, among other markets.

“Gwen appeals not just to youngsters but to an older generation” says Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing officer for MasterCard Worldwide. “She has a very strong presence that we think will advance our global position.” Adds Joe Dimuro, president of the Frukt North America agency: “Gwen does well in several international territories, particularly Asia Pacific, and there’s a high degree of notoriety and equity in her brand. Over the next six months, you’ll see another surge in popularity.””

Heather :)

December 6th, 2014

Gwen at last night’s Jingle Ball in LA

Hello! Gwen and Pharrell performed “Spark The Fire” at last night’s Kiss FM Jingle Ball at the Staples Center in Los Angeles! I haven’t found any video or audio yet, but here are some photos:

Red carpet video:

Heather :)

December 1st, 2014

“Spark The Fire” music video and song available now!

The official video has been posted to YouTube:

There is a link in the video description to buy the song on iTunes, but it’s currently saying not available in the USA for me. Should be working soon, I’d think. Here is the link to iTunes.

Heather :)

December 1st, 2014

“Spark The Fire” performance video

Hello! Here is my capture of Gwen and Pharrell performing “Spark The Fire” on The Voice tonight!

Heather :)

December 1st, 2014

Spark The Fire performance tonight, Good Morning America interview

Hello! Don’t forget to watch The Voice tonight to see Gwen and Pharrell perform “Spark The Fire” live! Apparently, the song was available to purchase online very early this morning, but has since been pulled. Perhaps the official release isn’t supposed to be until tonight after The Voice performance?

Gwen was on Good Morning America this morning, and ABC has posted a video with clips from the interview, as well as some more preview clips of the “Spark The Fire” music video! Here is the video:

From the ABC web site:

“Gwen Stefani Previews New ‘Spark the Fire’ Music Video on ‘GMA’
Dec 1, 2014, 8:39 AM ET
By LAWRENCE DECHANT via Good Morning America

Grammy award-winning Gwen Stefani is blazing her way to the top of the charts with her new single, “Spark the Fire.”

“Good Morning America” got a preview of a new video for the song that shows Stefani, 45, dancing in a club with her thoughts conveyed on-screen by emoji’s.

“It’s kind of a clash … this punk rock, kind of old-school feeling, club feeling,” the singer told ABC News, “but [with] this really modern emoji world, and it just looks really cool together.”

Her latest single is her third collaboration with her longtime friend, Pharrell Williams.

“To have him back in my life again unexpectedly has been just incredible,” she said. “I keep calling him the ‘Yoda meets Oprah,’ because he’s got this forceful, amazing way of speaking and inspiring you.”

It’s been eight years since Stefani’s last solo album, and she said this one was unexpected.

“All of the sudden, I’m doing this record, which I definitely did not plan,” she said. “That’s probably what I love the most about it, is not knowing and just kind of being free and just doing it, and letting the surprises happen.”

Apart from music and fashion, Stefani also juggles life as a mother of three. Her children — Kingston, 8, Zuma, 6, and Apollo, 9 months — often weigh in on her music.

“I do use the kids for bouncing off songs, to be like, ‘Is this one going to be big? Do you like this one?,’” she said. “Because they know, and Kingston will be like, ‘You gotta make a song that’s going to be really big, mom.’””

Heather :)

November 24th, 2014

Spark The Fire video preview, interview on Ellen today

Hello! Gwen and Pharrell were on the Ellen show today, and a longer preview clip of the “Spark The Fire” video was shown!

Ellen has posted videos of the preview and interview on their web site here!

Ellen mentioned that Gwen and Pharrell are going to perform “Start The Fire” on The Voice next Monday! Ellen also mentioned that the song comes out “in about a week”, so assuming the full video will be released at the same time?

Heather :)

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