Alison Hinds is one of the dominant forces in Caribbean entertainment.  As a former member of the band Square One, she’s the voice behind some of soca’s most recognizable tracks, including Faluma, Top Class Bubbler, Ragamuffin, Aye Aye Aye, and Iron Bazodee.  Her relentless barrage of soca hits, coupled with her high-octane energetic performances have gained her the title ‘Queen of Soca’, and a huge fan base (one guy kissed Alison’s boots, even though she wasn’t in them at the time). 

Since her departure from Square One, there’s been a flurry of activity surrounding ‘The Queen’. She’s gotten married, has an adorable princess of a daughter (awwww…) and has a blockbuster hit in Roll.  CiRCUIT has a chat with Alison on music, family, comic-book superheroes and more…

What are the top three words that describe Alison Hinds?
Mother, wife and entertainer. 

What’s the one thing about you that you think the general public would be surprised to know?
That in my early years, growing up in England, all I really listened to was soft rock and alternative.  

Was there ever a point in your career when you said ‘this music thing isn’t going anywhere. I’m done with this…’?
Nope! Ha ha.  No, I love it! I truly love what I do.  What would make me stop was if I stopped loving what I do. ..if it felt like a job…if it felt like work…if it felt like ‘oh gosh I gotta go on stage again’.  I’m too passionate about what I do. 

Let’s say you were offered a multi-gazillion dollar contract either as a hard rock or as a country n’ western musician?  Which would you choose?
None! None! Let me say now definitively, none!  If I could fuse soca with R & B or some other kind of music...but I’m not going to leave soca to go and do something else. Soca is at the heart of me. 

Will you be grooming your daughter as a possible Princess of Soca?
That I don’t know.  I would not go so far as to presume that she’s going to go into the music business.  I want her to be able to pursue what she wants to pursue. If she chooses to be in music then I will guide her as much as possible. If she chooses to do it fine, if she doesn’t, that’s fine too.  

What’s it like being a mom in the entertainment biz?
It’s fun, it’s good. I’m enjoying being a mother. It’s challenging but I’ve had some of my happiest times with my daughter, especially since now she can talk and talk and talkandtalkandtalk and chatandchatandchat… 

Worst “on-tour” experience?
Let’s see…my worst on-tour experience…I went to England. I was pregnant at the time.  We performed…show went well.  I went to the hotel, went to the front desk… said my name is Alison Hinds, I’m with Square One.  “Oh I’m sorry, we don’t see your name.” This is like 4 in the morning.  You don’t want to mess with me at that kinda time. And the guy got very arrogant.  He got upset and I got upset.  And the annoying thing was that the same list he was looking through, my name was right there, right there! That was not good…No, Noooo! 

What’s your favourite indulgence?
Sweet stuff.  Especially pastries.  Yeah… 

What’s your personal kryptonite?
Bad driving! 

All-time favorite song?
Okay, I have two.  Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, and Prince’s Adore.