Caggie Dunlop Interview

Caggie Dunlop is well-known for her appearance on the reality TV show Made in Chelsea, but she's also a singer-songwriter and working on an album which I believe will be released in 2012. I interviewed her about her songwriting process, the impact of TV shows like Made in Chelsea, and was pleasantly surprised by the wedding song she chose being pretty much the coolest thing ever.




What can people expect from your upcoming album?

I want to surprise people, and show that I can really write, and that I passionately care about my music. For me- it's all about the lyrics. When they come together, everything else is just.. decorating. The lyrics are the foundation for me. There's a bit of an eighties theme creeping through the works at the moment as well, inspired by the sound track to Drive. Which is really cool.


You’ve been shown singing a few times on Made in Chelsea. Had you thought about a career in music before this, or was singing not always one of the things you wanted to do professionally?

I never thought I had the talent or courage to consider singing as a career. So I'm very grateful to Made in Chelsea for that, they encouraged me to come out of my shell- as the first ep season 1 was the first time I'd performed in front of anyone, my mum hadn't even heard me. But it's all about building confidence, you're never going to be every bodies cup of tea, and thats okay. It's really when you're performing your own songs when you feel that satisfaction. Like you shared something of yourself...and people can take it, or leave it. First and foremost I trained as an actress so singing has taken me in a different direction that I expected. But I'm loving the journey so far.


Why do you think that people are so interested in Made in Chelsea, and TV shows with a similar format like The Only Way is Essex and The Hills?

I don't know...I think it's the insight into other people's lives, maybe a sort of escapism from their own that makes it so attractive. The knowledge that it's real seems to be more engulfing; the pain, the happiness is all heightened because you know it's not acting. It could be argued that it ruins entertainment though, I'm part of the genre so I don't want to slander it- but we must always make room for real art in theatre/film and TV. This type of genre doesn't stretch the mind particularly...probably why it's such easy watching.



Made in Chelsea exposes, or maybe we should say represents, a lot about you and your friends’ personal lives. Have you found that people you haven't met seem to think they understand a lot about you from what they’ve seen on TV?

Yes, very much so. Which doesn't bother me, no one has been nasty, so it's lovely really, to have people hug you like long lost friends. I'm a very open person so its suits me fine. But it's funny because my most shaping experiences (for lack of a better term!) as a person, haven't happened when the cameras are on.I feel like I've already lived a number of lives in a way, and this MIC part is just one of them. But that's the only one people know. And I guess with my music I want to introduce to people the other "me's" so to speak.


Do you think that when fans of Made in Chelsea hear songs that you’ve written, they’ll look for some connection to what they’ve seen on the show? (For example, trying to figure out if songs are about Spencer and things.)

Absolutely. And that could be frustrating. But completely understandable. That's what people know of me so of course they will look for connections...I can safely say now they won't find any. Well they will, because they'll be looking for it, but they'll be wrong. I've never written anything to do with the show.

Who are some of your favourite bands and artists, and which ones influence your song-writing the most?

I've always loved Jessie J, and Rhianna. Bastille are a great band, To Kill a King, Sam Beeton, Ben Howard, Will Heard is a fantastic up and coming singer song writer so watch out of him. Marcus Foster, Fink. But I like every genre of music- the above are my easy listening regulars. But I love a bit of Chase and Status, Devlin, Tinie Temper, Plan B. And I love the old school song birds like Edith Piaf. I listen to regularly.


And finally, which songs would you have played at your wedding and funeral?

Easy, wedding song is Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap. Funeral song would be Youth Group Forever Young. Or Stay by Shakspeare's Sister. But that might be a bit haunting! No swap that for Where Do You Go to My Lovely by Peter Sarstedt. One of mine and my dads all time favourites. It makes me happy.