Chris Connelly is a Scottish author and musician who became famous for his industrial music work of the late 80’s and early 90’s, particularly his involvement with the Revolting Cocks and Ministry. He has since established himself as an alternative singer-songwriter.
Photo by Eileen Moloney.
1.) WHICH RECORD HAS HAD THE MOST PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON YOU?
D.O.A, The Third and Final Report by Throbbing Gristle, arriving for me at the right moment after punk had started to die out, this was what I needed and it sent me on a very specific (anti) artistic journey, nothing was more profound for me than hearing Hamburger Lady on the John Peel show one night in the complete darkness of my room
2.) HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU SPEND A WEEK RECORDING/PLAYING/CREATING?
Not many, I tend to have creative bursts that will happen throughout the year in 1 to 4 week fits, then it’s over and I continue with life, it did not used to be this way, and I am fine with it, I am prolific and I don’t like to push myself, I do, however work on my voice on a daily basis, pushing my range and my stamina, trying to find new ways of using my instrument.
3.) WHICH OF YOUR OWN CREATIONS IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
It is always going to be the latest, so I am most happy with the piece Lovers on St. Stephen’s from my new album with Michael Begg “New Town Nocturnes” – I think I wrote the best poem I have ever written in that piece, and Michael’s sounds are such a magnificent backdrop, it is the closest bond between real and imagined I have created, the closest I have come to writing like the impressionists I adore.
4.) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET?
Who knows? I think overall I maybe should have worked harder on some records I made, and I often question whether I should have left Scotland, which I miss tremendously, but I live in the now.
5.) WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
Scrabble & whiskey!
6.) OTHER THAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION?
I am happy that I walked through years of stupid behavior with drugs and booze to be incredibly energetic and healthy, it could have gone a very different road, let me tell ya!
7.) TELL ME THREE OF YOUR HEROES/HEROINES?
David Tibet, Martin Amis, Anna Politkovskaya.
8.) WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
The New Town, Edinburgh.
9.) IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR ART WHAT OCCUPATION DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING?
Janitor of lunacy, without a doubt.
10.) IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT YOU HAVE NEVER CONVEYED IN AN INTERVIEW BEFORE WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
There is nothing I have not said that cannot be public knowledge in the 30 years I have done interviews, and no bands I like that would shock anyone in this post ironic age , everything else is private at this point.