Original lead vocalist from Bauhaus, the band described by many as the first "goth" group, Peter Murphy is creatively prolific and he's coming to Australia in January 2013 for the first time. Ever wanted to know a tiny part of what makes the "Godfather of Goth" tick? Read on.
UC- You recently said in an interview that in the next ten to twenty years you see yourself making music, acting, showing your artwork and perhaps writing a novel or two. What is it that inspires such a creative and prolific work life?
PM - I feel privileged to be able to give my time and life to any form of creativity , music art, writing , and I will take the opportunity offered. I believe in the artist's vocation, as a chance to communicate and reach many, even if it's one person that is raised and inspired. That in itself in invaluable and gives me personally great reason to be. Plus work itself is food. I'm a willing hard worker .
UC - You are always busy, considering you have been on the road for a while and your involvement in so many projects, how do you relax?
PM- Imagine when ever you have been on a long job or activity --it could be mundane or other—and when that action seems to fade behind a kind of deep flow of peace (or you might call a glide ) the activity becomes the relaxation itself. All you need then is to rest the body for a bit now and again , and you’re back up. How great to wake up looking forward and wanting to get back into the glide. This is the only way I can get near to describing it.
UC - Obviously Bauhaus fans come to your shows, who are the rest of your audience these days?
PM- Always most or all of whom are there as Peter Murphy audience , since Peter Murphy's work included his Bauhaus content. There's no retrospection in any one of my bones. If I play any song from my past catalogue , I make it vital and now. I believe that even a new song, once it is committed to tape , is at that point historic as it is eternal as all great music is.
UC- Who is playing in your band at the moment ?
PM - Mark Gemini Thwaite Lead Guitar, Nick Lucero Drums samples, Emilo China Electric Violin and Bass Guitar
UC- How do you go about selecting musicians to tour with ? Do you have a checklist for the perfect musician you would want to have in your touring band ?
PM - I intuit as well as accept first come, first served. The band becomes the music , as long as I insist that they can own it – I then, like a director of a theatre piece, give nudges and direction .
UC - Any acting roles coming up in the near future?
PM - Yes, some in the formation.. as you’d expect none to announce since film and theatre work develops in a drawn out manner, only to get the so called ‘green light ‘ at a late stage.
UC - If you were to write a novel or two in the future, what genre would you like to tackle?
PM - Jesus – who was he? An autobiography in a surreal form. A story of my music work without mention of the word Bauhaus or Peter Murphy. And a long, seemingly never-ending poem about a journey of an integrated Body and soul. A children's book for adults. End
The end of 2011 saw the release of Peter’s best received album to date. “Ninth” delivered 11 cuts of guitar fuelled drama which Murphy describes as having “... testosterone pouring out of it. At the same time, it's as beautiful as any female siren."
Peter Murphy’s current live show sees him reclaiming his legacy, performing both solo material as well as Bauhaus classics such as “She’s In Parties”, “Stigmata Martyr”, “Dark Entries” and “In The Flat Field”. Unbelievably, this will be the first time Peter Murphy has ever performed in Australia, either solo or as part of Bauhaus, and given his followers’ absolute devotion and fanaticism, tickets will go quickly for what could be the only opportunity to see Peter Murphy’s unique live performance and hear THAT voice – one which never fails to deliver and amaze.
TOUR DATES - PETER MURPHY Performing solo material & Bauhaus Classics
January 2013
Wed 9th – Perth – Bakery Artrage
Thu 10th – Adelaide - The Gov
Fri 11th – Melbourne – Corner Hotel
Sat 12th – Sydney – Factory Theatre
Sun 13th – Brisbane – Beetle Bar
Tickets for all shows are only $59 + bf available from metropolistouring.com and the venues.
