Remember En Vogue? They're back in a bigger way than ever before

Long before TLC, Brownstone and Destiny's Child, there was En Vogue, who changed the history of girl groups with their harmonies, soulful vocals and diva stage presence. With 10 million sales and some of the most recognisable 90s R&B tracks behind them (Hold On, Don't Let Go, You're Never Gonna Get It, Free Your Mind), they set the bar for future female vocal groups. Although they were often compared to The Supremes, En Vogue were a rare breed of band in that each member was lead singer material. No one ever became the designated Diana Ross.

Despite a seemingly revolving door of band members, its remaining line-up never stopped touring - and, unusually for a group who've been together for so long (they met in the late 80s), appetite for their live shows never waned. What's new for this highly skilled band - which today comprises founding members Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron, as well as Rhona Bennett - is that they're now releasing their first album in 14 years, Electric Café. While the band are reticent to call it a comeback, their new material does mean that they've returned in a bigger way than ever before.

There have been public spats, legal battles, unfinished albums and even a TV film; En Vogue have weathered numerous storms, refusing to give up on their mutual passion. Here, Terry Ellis reflects on the band's tumultuous history, the secret to music longevity, what it really means to be a diva and the 90s fashion trend she wishes had never happened.

The original En Vogue line-up in 1992 - Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson and Maxine Jones

What makes En Vogue so relevant and unique today?

"It's 2018 - the year of the woman - and in this particular year everything just fell into place for us. Recording our record and releasing came at a very significant and powerful time for women.

What made you stage a comeback?

"I wouldn't call it a comeback because we never left. We've been consistently working, with barely a day off, for 27 years. We've been consistently touring. But it's just this specific moment in time that everything happened for us - we got a new manager, all of our music came together, we have the right combination of songs, we landed the right partnership with E1 Records. That's why it might it may seem like a comeback, but we wouldn't call it that - we'd call it a great plan and a great execution of a plan."

What makes Electric Café different to your previous work?

"An eclectic blend of music simply because our initial intention was to do an EDM or dance record because we'd never done that before. But over the creative process, it started to take a life of its own. Because we have such an eclectic background of music, all of that came together. There's some R&B, a little bit of punk, soul and a little funk. We've got the signature En Vogue harmonies, but there are two songs on the album where me and the girls are singing in unison which is something we've never done before."

How have you overcome the challenges of having different band members?

"By continuing to work. Cindy and I did that not only because of our love of music and recording, but because of our passion. It was important for us to carry on the brand and the legacy that was created. Vocally, it was a bit challenging at first because of the signature harmonies. But because we continued to work with new producers, then it became easy. So it was our love for this brand and its legacy that we wanted to carry on."

What are your fondest memories of the 90s?

"Shucks, I'd say receiving the Sammy Davis Jr award, the fashion of the 90s, doing the Soul Train awards and paying tribute to Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan. The emotions of that night… that was a cool tribute that we did. Then The Lady Soul Awards, receiving the Image Awards - there's so many moments I can't ever name all of them."

What was the worst 90s fashion trend?

"To me, wearing your label on the outside of your clothes. That was hideous to me."

Do you have any style regrets from that period?

"I don't have any style regrets because we have an incredible stylist and he kept us well fit. In fact, some of the clothes he styled us in during the 90s still work in 2018."

What have you been doing in the interim?

"We've been consistently touring. Cindy has four children - she's a mum and a wife. Rhona does life coaching. I am also a crafter, I have an arts and craft studio at my home. Quite honestly, we're on the road so much that we hardly get to do any of those things - with the exception of Cindy being a mum and you can't get away from that."

En Vogue on The Jay Leno Show in the early 90s

What's the biggest way that the music industry has changed since you started out?

"It's gone completely digital. When we were recording, we were on the cusp of analogue moving into digital. Now it's completely digital. Everything has a social media platform. Thankfully, because we were on the cusp and because we never stopped working, we were able to evolve with the time. We're there now and we were able to grow into the digital world with everyone else - which is another thing I think has helped us stay relevant."

What does it take to be a modern diva?

"Well, the true definition of a diva is a lead singer in theatre or the arts. It's only because we know the true meaning of that word that we allow ourselves to be called that. We all know that there are negative connotations to that title. So honestly, I don't know what it takes to be a modern diva; I guess to hone your craft and be a lead singer."

Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett

Which artists do you like today?

"Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar, all the greatest divas - we'll never get tired of them. Gladys Knight, Chaka khan, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle. Jill Scott. There's so many - it's hard for me to name everyone. We listen to Second Chance by Ed DeBarge all the time."

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"It would be the same advice that I've always given myself which is to focus, be respectful of yourself and others, know who you are and be true to yourself, operate with integrity and dignity. Learn to forgive people and be proud of your work and learn to love."

En Vogue's tour commences today Thursday 5 April and tickets are available now at livenation.co.uk

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