Natasha Bedingfield is an oasis in musical desert that sometimes feel clogged by major egos with minor talents. Although Bedingfield is a major pop talent in the United Kingdom, and the first British female artist in 20 years to go the No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard pop chart with the title track of her 2005 debut album “Unwritten,” she’s not one to take a star turn. Instead, she’s living the theme of her tour “Less is More” in support of her newest album “Strip Me.”
“This is a very stripped down, stripped back tour, in contrast to a lot of pop music,” she said, from the U.K. just before starting the U.S. leg of tour. “This is not oversaturated and is really the best concerts I have ever done.”
| Onstage |
| Natasha Bedingfield |
| When: 7:30 p.m. Monday |
| Where: Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. |
| Info: Sold out at presstime; tickets may be available from online retailers; 202-397-SEAT; ticketmaster.com |
Although Bedingfield is often thought of as a relatively new artist, she has a wealth of experience starting when she was a teen and formed a music group with her siblings. In her early career, she dabbled with everything from R&B to gospel and electronica.
Although some artists who’ve found international success feel compelled to stick with a particular format but that’s not the case with Bedingfield. Her musical wanderlust is still in full evidence.
“I am always writing,” she said. “My music is always about people and stories and … drawing inspiration from whatever is around me. I can see in the next five to 10 years I’ll probably do a folk country album and a dance project and other projects. I want to work with as many artists as possible. Music is a movement, especially nowadays, and there is so much talent out there. I want to bring it all together.”
She’s started already, recording the song “Easy” with the country supergroup Rascal Flatts and even made an appearance with them to perform the song at a Minnesota concert earlier this year.
“They are more country and I am really so amazed at how talented and real those musicians are,” she said. “I think country music values real music. …”
But don’t think Bedingfield is turning all her talents to that genre. Other artists she hopes to work with in the not-too-distant future include Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Nicki Minaj.
If something gives me goose bumps I want to get involved,” she said. “Now that I have been in the industry awhile, I’ve made some really deep friends with other people and love the writing and music out there.”
