Did Cherry Pop’s 2010 reissue of your debut album, Arrival, give you inspiration?
Absolutely. I was amazed when people told me how much they were paying for the original CD. It was way out of mybudget! These wonderful music lovers would pay $800! There’s always a time for everything. Everything started cooking. It makes me happy that people are enjoying the music, because that’s why I’m doing it.
Was there a particular song that got you going on the project?
I had begun writing “Kiss Me Good” about eight years ago. I sent that to Peter, and we began to work on that together. I was so happy when it came back. We had a great rapport.
On this album, you showcase your uptempo and downtempo sensibilities. Songs like "Love Eternally” and "If You Give Love” are very danceable, while you show a softer side with “Angel” and the title track. Are there any identifiable ingredients a song must have in order for you to record or perform it?
In general, a hook is really important. It begins with that. In terms of the two sides, Bounce Back is very representative of how I’ve been the last couple of years. I love dance music. I love pop, I love soul. “Bounce Back” has actually been the most downloaded track off the album. It has to come from my heart. If I don’t feel it, I can’t do it. That’s my heart and my eyes. I don’t negotiate with that.
I must tell you that “Shine On” is my favorite selection!
That song means a lot to me, because it’s about coming out of a dark place.
I first listened to the track during my workout. It has that sort of ‘80s feel, like something you’d jam to on a boombox. But it also has a contemporary feel to it with the “Turn it up” hook.
I wanted to do that with this album. Moving forward, it’ll be different. But I really wanted Bounce Back to resonate with my past while moving into my present.
Bounce Back includes updated versions of two of your ‘80s hits, “Roses” and “Getting Closer.” How did you decide on including those, and how did you approach recording them this time around?
People love those songs, so I wanted to include them as a nod to the past, as with “He’s Got Magic.” Peter loved “Getting Closer,” and I always wanted to re-record “Roses.” But the original recording is quite dated because of the Prince influence, so I never knew how to bring it to now. I was jumping up and down when I got the mix back from Matt Pop!
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