Reproduced from Herald Sun 7 October, 1999

TWO years ago the former Stock Aitken and Waterman hitmaker Peter Waterman signed a small-time British model called Tina Cousins to his label, Eastern Bloc, and set about shaping her into the new Kylie.

The budding starlet's first two singles fared modestly in the UK. She seemed fated to sink into obscurity.

Indeed, Cousins' career didn't take off internationally until after a "fluke" collaboration with German Euro-pop producer, Sash! The song was called Mysterious Times.

Cousins' newly-released debut album, Killing Time, is something like a mini greatest hits set with the singles Killing Time, Angel, Mysterious Times, Pray and current Australian top 30 hit Forever.

In fact, the only hit not included is the all-star ABBA tribute, Thank ABBA For The Music, on which Cousins sang alongside poster acts Cleopatra, B*witched, Billie and her labelmates, Steps.

Killing Time also sees Cousins updating the Euro-techno formula by borrowing inspiration from contemporary club genres like trance and drum`n'bass.

Then, of course, she boldly tackles the Celine Dion-style pop ballad.

Cousins is delighted with the response - especially from the tough British dailies.

"They've been really good - I think probably because they're quite surprised that it's not just all dance."

Cousins actually came to Waterman's attention when she featured on a demo tape assembled by a small indie set-up who were pitching their material to him.

Yet the savvy singer ensured that the tape was accompanied by a glamorous photograph of herself. As things turned out, the demo was discarded, only to be retrieved when Cousins' picture was spotted.

WATERMAN promptly arranged for Cousins to visit his studio for a vocal test. And on the same day, she was offered a record deal.

The bubbly Euro-pop queen may have been relieved to leave behind the catty fashion world to sing, but she still finds herself having to focus on her appearance daily.

AND frankly this down-to-earth Essex girl hates it.

"I try not to be all stylised and too made up because then I think any guy you were seeing who woke up next to you in the morning after you'd taken all your make-up off would think he was with someone else."

Cousins also envies those grunge rockers who don't have to deal with the trappings of a presentable image.

"I hate make-up artists and hair stylists with a passion," she says, laughing, "because they always put on too much. You look like Coco the Clown."

Killing Time (Jive) out now. Tina Cousins, Metro, tomorrow, Saturday. Instore appearance: Jam Factory from midday Saturday.