Ian Astbury

Musician: The Cult

Ian Astbury

Ian Astbury needs no introduction as the lead vocalist, frontman and a founding member of The Cult.

Active since 1980, he has consistently evolved as an artist. He was initially part of the post-punk band Southern Death Cult, which turned into proto-goth band Death Cult, who, in 1984, became The Cult

Ian has also been involved in much more than The Cult. Along with Bill Graham he organised the 1990 A Gathering of the Tribes Festival which was a precursor to Lollapalooza. He was part of the Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1999 and performed in D21C with Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek from 2002 -2007. Other projects include his solo album Spirit\Light\Speed and forming the band Holy Barbarians. He has also been involved in collaborations with an array of diverse artists including Boris and UNKLE.

The Cult and Death Cult remain active as recording and touring acts. They have produced 11 studio albums, the latest releases are Under The Midnight Sun in 2022 followed by Death Cult’s Paradise Now in 2024.

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1.) WHICH RECORD HAS HAD THE MOST PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON YOU?
Life on Mars. First single I bought – played on the family record player on repeat to infinity…

2.) HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU SPEND A WEEK RECORDING/PLAYING/CREATING?
24/7. Always in flow.

3.) WHICH OF YOUR OWN CREATIONS IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
Non, fragments, it’s quantum.

4.) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET?
The time that has been spent adrift in reflection.

5.) WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
Meditate, train, martial arts.

6.) OTHER THAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION?
My vital organs. Ha!

7.) TELL ME THREE OF YOUR HEROES/HEROINES?
Bowie, Bowie and Bowie. Too many to mention and then, at times, none at all.

8.) WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
Lhasa

9.) IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR ART WHAT OCCUPATION DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING?
Something in the creative arts. Fashion, film, painting or a Buddhist monastic.

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?
I don’t feel there is anything I wish to share that I haven’t already shared in interviews or writings, no better than, no less than.

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