Greenville News

Donna Isbell Walker, diwalker@greenvillenews.com11:03 a.m. EDT August 17, 2016

The singer Seal is known for his evocative voice and emotion-packed songs. The British musician, who performs at the Peace Center Aug. 23, talked about his new album and his recent acting gig in an email interview.

Q. The “Seal 7” album is your first album of new original songs in several years, and it coincided with some big changes in your personal life. How much inspiration comes from your own life?

A. I worked on this album with a dear friend, Trevor Horn. Many people would like to think this album is autobiographical, but it plays off many other people’s experiences and emotions. Trevor and I have both experienced losses of different kinds. I tried to capture the highs, the lows, the recklessness, the anger, the remorse.

Q. Is there one particular song from “Seal 7” that sums up where you are as an artist right now?

A. No. They all came from me and were selected for a reason and a representation of the story I wanted to tell.

Q. You played Pontius Pilate in Tyler Perry’s film “The Passion” earlier this year. How does the creative fulfillment you find in acting compare and contrast to that of music?

A. Yes, it was a very new and surreal experience. I have (sung) and performed live over half my life, but to take on a new task like acting was quite invigorating. It’s a very different part of the brain you have to tap into. Oddly enough, I received some of the best acting advice from William H. Macy while I was on promo for “The Passion,” and need I say it really helped!

Q. Do you see yourself doing more acting in the near future?

A. Probably not, but never say never.

Q. Your song “Kiss From a Rose” was such a smash hit, and it really helped to define you as an artist. Do you ever feel limited by that?

A. No, not at all. “Kiss From a Rose” was written and even released well before it became the smash hit that everyone has grown to love. I’m thankful to have a song as an artist that has touched so many and done so well for my career.

Q. What can fans expect at the Peace Center show?

A. I have reworked the show and some of the classics that fans are used to, making it a real dance party for all to enjoy.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SEAL

•Seal served as a coach on the Australian version of the competition series “The Voice” in 2012 and 2013.

•He won Ivor Novello songwriting awards in 1991 for “Killer,” in 1992 for “Crazy” and in 1996 for “Kiss From a Rose.” The awards recognize songwriters from the United Kingdom for both their music and their contributions to British music as a whole.

•The singer earned a degree in architecture and worked as a clothing designer before taking a musical career path.

•Seal recorded a cover of “Manic Depression” with guitarist Jeff Beck for the Jimi Hendrix tribute album “Stone Free.”

YOU CAN GO

Who: Seal

When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23

Where: Peace Center

How much: $65-$95

For more: www.peacecenter.org