GAVIN MARTIN
Siobhan Fahey has been a central figure in two pioneering Brit Awardwinning girl groups – Bananarama and Shakespears Sister. The Dublin-born ex wife of Eurythmics star Dave Stewart has had a reunion with Bananarama pals Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward in the past couple of years.
And now she’s reunited with Marcella Detroit, her Shakespears Sister partner on smash hits Stay and History, for the first time since the pair split in 1993.
“It was always a very creative partnership,” Siobhan, 60, reflects.
“But I don’t think when we were together all those years ago we really understood where each other were coming from as people.
“We’re older now. When we sat down and talked we understood each other much better than we did before.” An initial meeting led to more and with a brand new sixtrack
EP recorded and ready for release ahead of this autumn’s comeback tour, Siobhan is relishing their return.
“Our writing is at least as strong as ever. We’ve both matured as writers and as people as well. So I’m so excited about it. The abiding relationship in my life has been music. Men have come and gone. But my love for music is the thing that sustains me.”
Two years ago, Siobhan rejoined her Bananarama partners Sara and Keren for a short Bananarama reunion.
But she has since left the others to carry on their own course. “I don’t think we’ll be exploring that further. It was a celebration of what we had achieved, a really fun experience. I’m very proud of the body of work I did within Bananarama and it was great fun performing it and sharing it with the audience.” With Marcella and in Bananarama
With two grown children from her marriage to Stewart and a life in California, Siobhan thinks the highs and lows of the past strengthen her new music and will enrich forthcoming performances.
“When I was very young I took it for granted and kept thinking it was a fluke, someone was going to find me out and it wasn’t going to last.
“But all these years later I now look back with a perspective and go ‘no, you’re dedicated, your love of music has sustained you throughout life’s ups and downs and you’re good at what you do.’ I can look back and think ‘It was never a fluke’. “And I honour it much more, whereas I never honoured it before.”
■ Shakespears Sister Singles Party 1988 2019 is out now It’s 25 years since Heather’s debut album Oyster, and the Bermuda-born singer has worked with her original producer, bass player Youth, on this, her 10th. She produces a rocking core amid tales of loss and heartbreak, forgiveness and renewal. The tracks on Pearl are inspired by major life events – including marriage break-up, new love and a deathbed reconciliation with a past abusive partner. All in all, Nova’s created a scintillating and heartfelt jewel.
Men have come and gone but my love for music is what sustains me