JUNE 2011 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM Q&A Patrick Swirc Patrick A legendary rock chanteuse talks sad songs and horror stories

YES, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND partly because I’m so good at the dark side. How were the guests recruited? actress Marianne Faithfull’s 1964 I fi nd writing my own to be much harder Hal brought in Lou Reed, although Lou is a breakthrough hit “As Tears Go By” was work. If you ask Nick to give you a rundown great friend of mine. Dr. John is also a great written by ’ of my faults, he’d say, “She’s incredibly friend. Wayne Kramer has become my new and . Yes, she and Jagger talented, but she’s very lazy and needs best friend. He’s been on tour with us in dated throughout the late ’60s. No, she a kick up the ass.” Europe. Plus we’re going to write together. doesn’t want to talk about it. “I don’t even mention their names,” she says. “Those Did Hal help choose songs? Do you have a backlog of songs? people are written out of my picture.” Today He did. There were a lot of arguments as I have a backlog, but I also have a deadline. the picture includes her 19th and latest solo to what should be the fi nished product, At the moment I’ve got plenty of time, but , , recorded huge rows—the usual making of a record. I’m starting to put things together. I would in New Orleans with producer . (laughs) He and I adore each other, so like to write more songs on the next album It’s an eclectic set of intimate originals and we’re used to it. When we’re not working than I did on this one. It seems that fans are well-fi tted covers featuring guest turns he’s my dearest best beloved. When we really keen on my songs. They like to get little from Lou Reed, Dr. John and MC5 guitarist are working I’m terrifi ed of him. This was windows into me. Wayne Kramer. The native, 64, one of the most exciting recordings since spoke to us from Paris, where she’s lived we started together. Any regrets? for the last eight years. I’ve been overshadowed by certain people, What does the title refer to? and I’ve been held back by certain people, Do you consider your songs dark? Oh, it’s nothing. It’s absurd. It’s to make me and “screw ’em” is all I can say. It’ll all come I fi nd it easier to write drama and sad songs laugh. The cover art is really kitsch, absolutely out in the wash. My main thing is music. I love and horror stories. There are a lot of jingle lighthearted. I miss psychedelia, and this acting because I love playing other people, writers who can turn out happy pap for years. is my version. but music has saved my . But writers like or PJ Harvey [who co-produced 2003’s ] Why record in New Orleans? What are your goals? don’t tend to write happy little jingles. It’s We wanted all that beauty, a nice time and I’d like to make a garden. Apart from hard work. Obviously it would be absurd if I good food. And we wanted [bassist] George that, just music. did a whole record of entirely happy songs, Porter Jr. He’s a very old friend from way back. –Jeff Tamarkin

‘It would be absurd to do a record of happy songs. I’m so good at the dark side.’

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