Matt Cardle: 'I can't speak highly enough of Dannii Minogue' (From Bucks Free Press)

Matt Cardle: 'I can't speak highly enough of Dannii Minogue'

1:00pm Saturday 20th October 2012 in News By Rebecca Cain

MATT Cardle now counts Dannii Minogue as one of his friends.

The Australian star celebrated on Twitter how Matt's new album was number one in the HMV pre-order chart.

It is on general release on October 29. The 29-year-old spoke about how much freedom he has had with his new record label and who he's pushing for in the new series of X-Factor.

The Fire is Matt' second album. In May he revealed on Twitter he had parted ways with his former record label, Columbia Records. But soon after So What? Recordings announced his new album and single.

He said the new label is "absolutely brilliant" adding: "I never thought I would have quite this much control."

He rocketed to stardom in 2010 after he came first in the X-Factor, with Dannii Minogue as his mentor.

His first single, When We Collide came top of the singles chart. His second single, Run For Your Life, written by Gary Barlow was released last October and came number six in the charts.

It was taken from his album, Letters, but the second single from the album did not enter the top 100.

He said of his latest offering: "I have been able to make all the decisions myself, especially with regards to the writing of the album.

"I have managed to play most of the instruments on the album. "I got it to sound exactly how I wanted it to.

"It is so important. You can demo a song and go away to the producers and it can sound like someone else."

It was written and recorded in London, Toronto and Los Angeles, and he co-writes with Eg White, Steve Booker, James Walsh, and Paul Statham.

The lead single It’s Only Love will be released the same day as the album.

Matt said all the songs are very different, and ever since the first album he has had lots of ideas for the next one.

He said he can start with a beat sometimes, or with a lyric or melody in his head, before he puts down the song.

He said: "I knew soon enough if it was any good or not. It is like anything- once you have done it you are proud of it."

And he said he has had a great reaction from fans so far.

He said: "It is a good indication people are still interested in getting what I am making. We will see when the album comes out. Everyone will see what happens then."

And he also has three tour dates, this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in Birmingham, Brighton and London.

Matt said: "It is going to be a great show. I learnt so much for the tour earlier this year with the band. I just can't wait to start playing the new tracks. It is so much more upbeat and uplifting. A lot more positive. I just have a lot more confidence and faith in myself."

He has had plenty of press attention since he won the X-Factor.

He said: "The negative stuff the press has been up to- 90 per cent of it is rubbish. It doesn't phase me. My fans know what it is all about. It is nothing you can't get used to."

And he said he still gets great support from his parents, and of course Dannii Minogue.

He said: "I see her quite regularly over the last couple of years. We are in touch quite regularly. Any time she has come over from Australia we meet up. I was having lunch with her recently. "I was talking to her this weekend. She said congratulations to me on the pre-orders.

"She's very supportive. She is just brilliant. I can't praise her enough."

He said she was the most supportive judge on X-Factor the year he performed.

And as for the current X-Factor he said he likes Ella Henderson and James Arthur. He has no further plans to work with Gary Barlow but said: "I think the guy is great. I have a lot of respect for him."

The Fire is released on October 29. Go to www.mattcardlemusic.com for more details.

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