yourGigs (yG): the church continue to create music that is unique, innovative and dynamic. How wary are you of becoming a band who, like the Stones for example, bash out the same old hits continuously on every tour? Is it even a thought?
Marty Willson-Piper (MWP): No. The Stones are icons of the modern world, even if their music sucks. They were rebelling when most people hadn't even dreamed of messing their nappies. What is really sad about the Stones now is their horrible music, but the church have never, ever gone down that alley. We've always tried to steer away from the commercial aspects of the group.
We do play some of the songs that have been hits over the eras but we still make interesting left-of-centre records. We don't want an older audience coming along disappointed that we don't play old hits, and we don't want a newer audience who judge us because they thought we were around before they were born and therefore can't be relevant. We want people to see the depth of our work and how interesting we're trying to make it.
I mean, how does Nick Cave get away with it? What on earth are people seeing in Nick Cave that's so amazing? Maybe it's just an image thing. So Nick Cave is cool 'cause he's managed to convince people with his image? And his music comes second? That's ridiculous. The music should come first and if you've got a cool image then great. I don't listen to music and go, "Oh God, that guy's really ugly, I can't listen to him", but maybe people do that!
yG: The thing with younger Nick Cave fans though, is that they all look like Nick Cave.
MWP: Oh come on, the moustache surely isn't cool!
yG: Apparently it is.
MWP: [Laughs.] Oh right, ok then. Well I've got a great big beard these days so maybe that's cool too? TV on the Radio and Iron & Wine have them, it's a very cool thing to have.
yG: Back in England you record with various other bands. How important is it for you working with younger up-and-coming bands? Do you feel as if you can impart a bit of wisdom on them? Do they inspire you sometimes?
MWP: I don't know how this is gonna sound, but bands should talk to me. Not only have I been in the church for 29 years as a good creative part of the band - a guitar player, co-songwriter and occasional singer - but I've also spent a lot of time looking after the merchandise and looking after the business. I do know a lot about what you should not be doing. You can pass that on to people: if you ever need to have a coffee and some advice then I'm more than happy to discuss things with you.
yG: Having taken care of the business side of things, releasing the new album independently must have been relatively easy for you.
MWP: I know what I'm doing but inasmuch as everybody does. I can't all of a sudden make the church sell loads and loads of records. Nobody can. All I can do is have a really good record with nice artwork, with no spelling mistakes, in the right print, with the right company, and at the right gigs.
The most important thing is having the great songs, but there's no point being really creative and superb if you're just going to fall over. You gotta be able to do something with your output. That doesn't always mean you succeed but it means you do your best. You make the best of the situation you're in. You might not be Richard Branson or a genius or a marketing magician, but you can at least not have the name of the band spelt wrong and the cover upside down and too many made or too little.
No one wants to spend money on music nowadays, so the music better be good and your day to day performance better be bloody efficient and you better not have spent 400 bucks that you didn't need to stand on that stage.
yG: I read an interview with Steve Kilbey in which he quoted you as saying the first time you both met: "If I can't make a living making music I won't do anything else." How lucky do you feel having been able to achieve that? I know tonnes of musicians who have so-called "real" jobs to sustain their musical endeavours and it's a tough situation to be in.
MWP: It is. I haven't done anything else but music for 30 years, but I also find myself sometimes in worse situations than people who have the good sense to hold down a regular income. I have to have simple tastes. My hobbies and tastes and spending are about books, records and DVDs. I'm not a drinker, I don't buy clothes, I don't go out to dinner, I don't own a car and I don't have a regular rent to pay. My girlfriend Tiare [Helbeg] and I travel around doing shows, staying with friends and working on projects then moving onto somewhere else. I've started drawing and taking photos and I try to make money from different places and different ideas. I've got a solo record, Tiare's making a record I'll play on, she'll do some shows, I'll do some shows. I've got the church, I've got a project in England called Noctorum and one in America called The Electric Mood Maidens. Having said that, December 25th, where will I be staying, what project will I be working on? No idea.
It's a big sacrifice to live like this but at the same time I manage. But I have to look after the business aspects of things. I make a living by playing music but I look after the business that allows me to do that.
Aimee-Lee Curran
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