Reborn and ready to rock the regions
Nineties darlings back together, 20 years on
IF Ella Hooper has learnt one major lesson from the rebirth of seminal ’90s rock band Killing Heidi, it’s to never say never.
After a capital city tour in June to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary, Hooper – who had gone on record to say Killing Heidi was dead and buried in the years following their 2006 breakup – said she had gotten it “so wrong”.
“I’m just a bit of an idiot and famous for making big statements and going back on them,” Hooper said.
“I genuinely didn’t see a time where it would feel good and natural, but cut to a few years later, I’d done whatever growth necessary to be where it was like, ‘that isn’t a bad idea’.
“I got it so wrong about this and how it would feel.”
Rocking out to rave reviews, Hooper said she was loving recreating the former version of herself, which burst onto the scene as a 13-year-old from the tiny village of Violet Town in regional Victoria.
The dreadlocks, eyebrow ring and shiny outfits are consigned to the past, but Hooper, 33, said she realised the teen who took the country by storm after the release Weir and Mascara (1999), and No.1 debut album Reflector (2000), was still an essential part of her.
“I’ve realised I’m not the same person, but you are the same person in a way. It’s a continuum and you haven’t completely changed,” she said.
“I needed to prove to myself as a solo artist and not just be the chick from Killing Heidi, but I always will be, so at this
stage of my life, why not. I’m enjoying getting into that character again, but I couldn’t get into it before the time was right. I wouldn’t want to live her life all day, but for one hour on stage, it’s fine.”
The early noughties belonged to Killing Heidi with multiple tracks in the top 20 of Triple J’s Hottest 100, four ARIA awards, four-times platinum status and an APRA songwriters of the year award.
Fast-forward to 2017 and Hooper, along with brother Jesse (guitar), long-term drummer Adam Pedretti, and new members James Gilligan (bass) and Lena Douglas (keyboards), the group are currently doubling up with a regional tour which lands at NightQuarter Gold Coast tomorrow.
No stranger to the Quarter – a hybrid of music and a marketplace – Hooper said she was looking forward to returning.
“Every gig that’s not a classic pub gig has a quirk and I actually enjoy it. I’m going to get my palm read,” she said.
While their time on the road is a far cry from the wild days of their original run, Hooper said they were enjoying being back in the saddle.
“I’ve loved playing live, reconnecting with fans, and working with Jesse. We get along so well, and I’m trying to work on the error of my ways, so never say never.”