Chain D.L.K. talks with “Godfather of Goth” Peter Murphy about his most recent tour, his new album Ninth, and artistic influences.
Chain D.L.K.: You’ve gone through many transformations during your musical career – though most sources still describe your style as gothic rock, post-punk, or experimental. Do you think these classifications are still accurate?
Peter Murphy: I express my creativity independently of genre. The seminal artist is seminal not because they conform. Genres, labels, monikers cannot hold meaning and are projections of first, nonartists like journalists/observers – the chitter chatter of a listener’s need to know ‘who’ the artist is. Ultimately, after all those tendrils of guesswork are spread about, they become fixed. It is ever so boring to tell the truth which can rarely live up to the myth, but in my case I am certain the truth is definitely better.
Then still, it is up to you lot out there to busy yourself with the impossible task of describing the feeling of the wind on your cheek – just be careful not to miss out (on me) as you do.
Chain D.L.K.: You have said previously that all art was an act. Do you still believe this to be the case?
Peter Murphy: Life is but a shadow play – the puppeteer is the real.
Chain D.L.K.: You’ve had some good experience with the film as well as the music industry; do you ever write with the big screen in mind?
Peter Murphy: I’m not sure – not necessarily with it in mind, but a lot of what comes out is ideal for soundtrack and scapes.
Chain D.L.K.: What do you think is the most important technological advance in the music industry in the past few decades? Has it affected the way you produce any of your own music?
Peter Murphy: Every new invention points me even more to the basics of human playing instruments, singing song, and performing. No program can do more than virtualize at best. We must all remember to remember that we are in our own virtual construct. Don’t forget reality by becoming a gear junky.
Chain D.L.K.: During the Resurrection tour in 1998, you cited religious reasons for not performing “Stigmata Martyr” and “St. Vitus’ Dance”, yet you played “Stigmata Martyr” during your tour in 2011. Can you tell us what changed your view on the appropriateness of the track between then and now?
Peter Murphy: This is a myth…
Chain D.L.K.: How is Nettwerk Music Group working out as your new label?
Peter Murphy: Very nice, thank you. We have more work to do as partners to conquer the world, though. My favourite friends at Nettwerk and Liz, Danielle, Marcos, and Kerri (now moved on)
Chain D.L.K.: Has living in Turkey influenced how you think of your past work?
Peter Murphy: Lyrically, the deep Sufi eduction that I embarked on many years ago complemented what was already there.
Chain D.L.K.: What’s next?
Peter Murphy: More marvellations. More marking my old territory and paving the way for even more younglings to new ways.
Visit the artist on the web at: petermurphy.info