When the name Heather Peace is uttered, it always creates a flutter in the lesbian population.
Since gracing our screens in London’s Burning, (probably something about a woman in uniform) and then as the highly popular Sam in BBC 2’s lesbian drama Lip Service (2010-12), plus a four season stint on BBC1’s Waterloo Road, Heather Peace has made waves amongst her LGBT fanbase.
However it’s now time for the music as Peace is set to launch her second album The Thin Line – since her music debut in 2012 – followed by a UK tour.
Recently, Peace toured Australia including a performance at the renowned Sydney Mardi Gras, which she thoroughly enjoyed, as well as presenting the parade for the Australian TV (BBC2 equivalent) coverage.
Peace’s decision to leave Waterloo Road, and concentrate on the second album now was driven by a desire to give the fans what they want. Following the success of the first album and the growing dedicated fan base, whom Peace credits as very “sweet, generous, respectful and the reason I get to do a job I love”, she did not want to keep them hanging on too long.
And she says, it was the “right time” to give up working in Glasgow for 9 months of the year after celebrating her civil partnership in 2013.
The album is supported by a UK tour, which Peace is looking forward to, helped by the fact she “loves performing”. There will be a number of Pride dates (York, Glasgow and “home city” Brighton) as well as a mix of Academy venues and one of her most enjoyable “incredible” venues, the Smooth Radio Waterfront event in Liverpool. Peace still enjoys the chance to support charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the opportunity to sing a solo at a packed Royal Albert Hall in aid of the organisation is a career highlight.
In response to the obligatory Lip Service question, and her reaction to the cliff hanger ending, Peace said that she’s still surprised her role in Lip Service continues to attract interest in the media and from fans (it’s three years since she finished filming the final episode). In particular she’s pleased to see LGBT characters become much more part of mainstream TV, with characters in the major soaps. She’s proud that Lip Service paved the way for more visibility on our screens. Peace does admit she wishes there could have been some viewer-satisfying conclusion to the unduly short lived show.
The second album is a blend of the intense, evocative songs one might expect from Peace, alongside some more upbeat sounds including the anthemic, uplifting summer tune We Can Change which will be the first single off the album, chosen for its “catchy” sing-a-long-ability.
The new album The Thin Line and first single We Can Change are released on 9th June. Go to www.heatherpeace.com for more info, to get your hands on a copy, and for full tour updates.
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