Crystal Waters - Gay Icon For Big Gay Day

By Les Smith

Crystal Waters is the headlining act for this year's Big Gay Day. With stunning looks and a voice to match She has received world wide attention through her music with such tracks as 100% Pure Love, Destination Unknown, Speakerbox and her latest release Never Enough. QNews Music Editor Les Smith took the opportunity to talk to Crystal waters just before she left the USA fro Brisbane's Big Gay Day.

QN - Congratulations on your new single Never Enough. I received it through a DJ pool and it has had very favourable reactions here on the dance floor.  After listening to some of your albums you appear to very comfortable in a variety of styles from RnB to soul to dance to pop, is there a particular style that you personally like?

CW - I like all styles of music, but dance music is my favourite, there's something about it that is positive and uplifting 

QN - You have had some amazing tracks on the charts including Gypsy Woman and 100% Pure Love.  The lyrics from Gypsy Woman seem to come straight from the heart, is there a story behind that song?

CW - Yes it's a true story. There used to be a homeless woman singing gospel hymns near my sister's job with a hat on the ground for money. I never gave her any because she looked well dressed with a face full of nicely done make up. I thought she didn't really need the money and was just lazy until a local paper did an article on her. She had recently lost her job in retail and thought it would be respectful to keep up her appearances even tho she was going through hard times. It changed my whole opinion of her and homeless people. They could be anyone, you or me. Hence the song... 

QN - 100% Pure Love is receiving a strong reaction again at the moment on the dance floor due to the recent remix done by Spencer & Hill; would you agree that the song  is about the love you find on the inside of a person not from just the way a person looks?

CW - Spencer and Hill? Why I haven't heard it? Yes it is about the love on the inside. It was written 
in reaction to all the rap songs at the time putting people down. I wanted to write something 
positive. People shouldn't have to put people down just to feel better about themselves. 

QN - Your recent collaboration with Alex Gaudino on Destination Calabria was a huge hit on the dance floors (especially the gay ones) in Australia did you expect it to get as much attention as it did?

CW - No, I did not. It was released a few years earlier with not much reaction. Thank god for the  
remixer!  

QN - What would be the most amazing event that you have performed at?

CW - I did a show in Italy at the Coliseum with thousands of people, it began to rain and the crowd went crazy, chanting "Crystal Waters" 

QN - Who would you like to perform a duet with?

CW - I would do a duet with George Michael or Kylie Minogue.

QN - At last year's Big Gay Day one of our entertainers was amazed at how different it was working to a gay and lesbian crowd to performing at a straight event. Would you agree that a gay and lesbian event is a lot more fun?

CW - Yes! Gay crowds are the best, they come to have a good time, no if's or buts..... 

QN - What gives you inspiration to write songs?

CW - I guess the inspiration is innate; it's something I love to do. I guess I get inspired by the music, it tells me what to write about... 

QN - Do you come from a family with a musical background?

CW - Yes, my great aunt was Ethel Waters a famous actress and jazz singer from the 40's and 
my father was a life long jazz musician as well as many other family members 

QN - Who would be your greatest musical influence and why?

CW - my greatest influence I think would be Ella Fitzgerald. I love her voice, it always sounded as if it was smiling. I try to keep that in my vocals as well. 

QN - You are regarded as a gay icon is that a tag that sits comfortably with you?

CW - Yes that fits very comfortably with me. 

QN - Was being a performing artist something that you had always wanted to be or is there another side to Crystal Waters?

CW - Yes I always wanted to be part of music but I also went to college for computer science 
and business so I like to consider myself somewhat of a business woman. March 30 I'm launching my own internet radio station called Clubheads.com featuring some of the best DJ's from around the world, followed by Clubheads TV. I'm also in the process of founding a non-profit called the World Dance Music Coalition. So this should be a very interesting year for me. 

QN - When not performing what do you like to do to relax and switch off from the world?

CW - I like to hike and be by the water, meditation is a must.