‘Simon Cowell Still Sends me his love’
Ray Quinn on getting back in the studio, planning his wedding and staying in touch with his famous mentor
Ray Quinn is buzzing when we catch up with him for a chat. The 31-year-old has just dropped his new single, They Say Love, the first original track from his new album
Undeniable, and he can’t wait for fans to hear it.
The album sees the Liverpool lad go back to his big band roots, with a huge orchestra backing his velvety vocals. As well as a second original track, Smile, Ray’s album includes his spin on eight of his fave songs from across the decades by the likes of Matt Monro, Tom Jones and Duffy.
“The songs are epic,” he tells us. “It’s music I listen to every day and artists I’m passionate about.”
It’s been a long time coming after a
13-year break from his career in the music industry, which began when he finished runner-up to Leona
Lewis on the 2006 series of The X Factor. Not that the self-confessed born entertainer has rested on his laurels, using the time to conquer
Dancing On Ice, bag a gritty role in Hollyoaks and tread the boards in the West End.
Here, Ray tells us all about his musical comeback and the showbiz hero he’d love to emulate…
So Ray, tell us all about your new single…
It’s about the ups and downs of love and it’s actually the first original track I’ve ever released. It was originally a pop song I recorded about five years ago, but I didn’t release it because it never felt right at the time. I didn’t feel like I was connected musically, so I went down the road I know, which is big band orchestra and swing elements. It was a bit of a eureka moment of, “Oh, wow, that’s my sound.”
Was it strange being back in the recording studio after 13 years?
It felt like coming home because I was in Liverpool at Parr Street Studios. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We had a 50 or 60-piece orchestra, so it’s huge. I’m a big Bond fan as well and a lot of strings is quite Bond-esque.
Where does your love of big band and swing come from?
I’m from an older family – my dad is in his late 70s and my eldest brother is 50 – so I grew up listening to these artists and it connected me to my dad. He’d always have the tunes blasting from Gerry & The Pacemakers, Cilla Black, Leo Sayer, The Walker Brothers, Frank Sinatra… all these artists almost became part of me.
Was it a conscious decision to mix classic crooners with more modern singers?
Absolutely, to connect the whole thing to the 21st century. We called the album Undeniable
because every artist is undeniable to this day. Tom Jones is a living legend. And Duffy, of course. When she came out, everyone was in shock because no one had heard a voice like that in so long. You’ve credited The X Factor for launching your career. Do you keep in touch with Simon Cowell?
Not really, but every now and again friends who go to events will text me saying, “I saw Simon last night and he sends his love.”
You’ve done music, theatre, TV and ice skating on DOI. Do you have a favourite?
I just love entertaining people – singing, dancing, acting, whatever it may be I’ll always have a crack at it. Music has always been my love. I do pinch myself sometimes. I’m singing songs I’ve loved all my life and I feel very privileged to do that.
You got engaged to Emily Ashleigh in January – have you been wedding planning yet?
We saw one venue, but that was before lockdown. We’re not in any rush, but it doesn’t stop me and the missus getting the laptop out and having a nosy because it’s exciting!
Will you be your own wedding singer?
No, the missus would kill me! She’d be like, “Get down!” I’m sure that won’t stop me at two in the morning at the after-party. I’ve actually already asked my mate Shane Richie Jr, or Nolan as he’s known now. He’s one of the most talented entertainers
I’ve seen on stage. His mum’s sister Bernie played my mum in Brookside, so we’ve known each other since we were kids.
Do you have any performances in the pipeline?
There were some in the diary, but who knows now? I did a cruise in January and sang a couple of snippets from the album and it went down a storm, so I’m super excited. I’m most at home on stage. I like to see that first instant reaction. That’s what I live for. It’s the old-school entertainer in me, like Bruce Forsyth – he never stopped, did he? If I could have a quarter of his success as an entertainer,
I’d take that all day long.