Justin Hawkins and Beverlei Brown

Justin Hawkins and Beverlei Brown

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In March, Britain's "Making Your Mind Up" contest failed to send favorites, Justin Hawkins and Beverlie Brown, through to the Eurovision finals in Helsinki with Justin Hawkins' song "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To." Having taken time out from their recording schedules at the persistence of the BBC, Justin and Beverlei remain unperturbed by the outcome as they now concentrate on the more serious business of making albums. Justin had been enjoying a long sabbatical and a chance meeting with Beverlei brought them together in a studio and "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To" was the result of their first collaboration.

Beverlei is well known for her vocal talents and has worked with artists such as M-People, Jamiroquai, Blur, Lemar, Joe Cocker and Razorlight. With a background in soul music and R&B, Beverlei started singing gospel at a very young age in church with her mother and sister. But a desire to do something different, more rock based with a harder edge, has given Berverlei renewed excitement since meeting Justin. The chemistry between the two is undeniable and they continue to work together writing and recording new material with Justin producing the album. Justin's long-awaited solo album is also nearing completion. Some of his unmixed tracks can be heard at www.myspace.com/justinhawkinspanther.

ASCAP's Sean Devine caught up with Justin recently amid his hectic promotional schedule for the song.

Sean: What were your motives for inclusion in the competition?

Justin: Whenever I watched Eurovision I always become annoyed at how we (Britain) get thrashed by all the other countries all the time. As a nation we have this confusing love-hate relationship with Eurovision, but I love it.

Sean: Your band's songs were laced with humor and irony, so what can we expect from this duet?

Justin: When I was presented with the chance to enter the competition, it felt like a very natural progression. My favorite song from Eurovision history is France Gall's "Poup�e de Cire, Poup�e de Son," Luxembourg's winner from 1965. It translates as 'wax doll, sawdust doll' - is that enough humor and irony for you? Well, it was written by Serge Gainsbourg, so you do the math (laughs).