Mel makes video for all Seasons
X FACTOR star Melanie Masson has called on her long-time friendship with Simone Lahbib once again to direct the video for her new single Seasons.
The pair have been pals since meeting as teenagers at drama college and even though Simone is busy on EastEnders playing Katy Lewis, she is in a bubble with Melanie’s family and could do the video.
Melanie, 52, said: “Simone is like my sister and we work so well together so it’s kind of just assumed that she’ll do it.
“We’ve also filmed a pilot for a TV show together.
“For the video for Seasons I just wanted to capture my mood and the mood of everyone right now. It’s reflective but hopeful.”
Melanie, who is married to Scots actor Forbes, teamed up with Bad Girls actress Simone, 55, to direct the video for the singer’s foot-stomping Why Don’t You Love Me? single last year.
Seasons, a cover of the Future Islands song, is another slice of Northern Soul. Melanie and producer Tristan Longworth have recorded an album’s worth of material.
She said: “My plan is to release an album but I’ll put out a few more singles first.
“I already have an album’s worth of songs but I’ve written a lot more so I want to go back into the studio to record them. I’ve also written songs with my long-term writing partner, Glaswegian writer/producer Andy Haldane.”
As a session musician she worked with the likes of Kasabian, Fatboy Slim, Stereophonics and Happy Mondays.
After taking time out to be a mum she looked to reboot her career, taking part in The X Factor in 2012 and reaching the live finals as one of Gary Barlow’s acts.
Since then, Melanie, who grew up in Cathcart, Glasgow, but now lives in London with Forbes and their two kids, has continued to work and perform and last year set up her own all-female record label, All About Eve to release her new music. The Northern Soul tinge to the first two singles has been well received. She said: “I’m delighted by the feedback. Boy George has tweeted that he was dancing barefoot to my single Seasons. That was a thrill.
“Seasons is such an uplifting, joyful song, I hope it can raise a smile and encourage a wee dance round the living room.
“I don’t know what this year will bring. It’s had a bit of a dubious start but like the video says, we all must hang on in there. Better times are coming.”
Download Seasons at http://ffm.to/seasonsmm