here is an interview with mark, in a hebrew site called Musica Neto, for the upcoming gig in tel aviv-
www.musicaneto.com/Interface/mivzak.asp?news_id=4666my shot at translating-
in less than two weeks, (14.12), Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell will play a joint concert in israel, on a tour promoting their third mutual album 'Hawk'.
in preparation for the concert at the Barby, we had the pleasure to interview Lanegan, without a doubt one of the best artists/vocalists of our time.
for those not familiar, we'll just say he's one of the most diverse and interesting artists working in the alternative music industry. Lanegan's discography is so rich, it's hard even to count it all, but we'll give it a go.
except for six solo albums (the first came out in 1990), he was founder and vocalist for the screaming trees since the 80s, and later was a short time member of queens of the stone age and the supergroup mad season. he also took part in albums by the twilight singers, soulsavers, was half of the gutter twins with greg dulli, as well as releasing 3 albums with isobel campbell.
if all of that isn't enough, during his 25 year career, lanegan worked with a lot of other artists, including unkle, kurt cobain, martina topley bird, bomb the bass, melissa auf der maur and pj harvey. during the interview we asked him. amongst other questions, about the many cooperations and whom he would still like to work with, his favourite album, the state of the music industry and of course, about israel (and the cancellations).
MN: you've worked with so many artists, is there anyone else you wanted to work with and couldn't?
ML: it's weird cause I just answered that question... I told that guy that there were millions of people I'd love to work with. you know, if neil young knocked on my door and said "let's do something", I'd lose it. that's just one example, but there are millions.
MN: your voice has been compared to those of huge artists like tom waits, nick cave and Johnny cash. Are those comparisons annoying or flattering?
ML: those people you just mentioned are all fantastic, great artists with amazing voices, so I wouldn't go against that comparison, though I don't hear it(laughs)… those you mentioned have great voices and some of us have rough voices, but for me I sound like myself. In the screaming trees era I tried to sound like jeffrey lee pierce and failed miserably. At the beginning there were others I tried to sound like and also failed, so at the end I just sounded like me.
MN: your last album (bubblegum), came out in 2004 and that's the longest period of time that's passed between your solo albums. After so many cooperations in the last few years, what about a new mark lanegan solo album?
ML: actually I've started working on a new album a few weeks ago and I'll continue to work on it once I get back from this tour, so I hope it'll come out sometimes next year.
MN: who are you working with?
ML: I started working with alain Johannes and actually many people I've worked on the previous album with.
MN: you've been part of so many projects, is there one you're especially proud of?
ML: you know… I like some more than others (laughs)… I've enjoyed making them all, but I'll admit that I liked the music on some more than others. Anyway, I'm glad all the things I worked on exist and I loved every minute of making them. It's hard to pick favorites with your own material.
MN: by the way, the album 'broken' by the soulsavers (on which he participated in 10 songs) was musica neto's album of the year last year.
ML: wow, great!
MN: this will be your fourth visit to Israel, what do you remember from the previous ones?
ML: they were short, but memorable. I remember, first of all, that the Israeli crowd is very enthusiastic, and that made the whole thing really nice. I've also been to Jerusalem a few times and experienced it, it was amazing. I've been at the beach in tel aviv a few times and enjoyed it very much, the beach was great.
MN: it's still summer here, maybe you could go to the beach at the middle of December…
ML: NICE!
MN: there were artists who canceled their shows in Israel at the last minute for political reasons. Have you heard of that?
ML: no, I don’t really pay attention to politics, cause I don't play music for politicians. If a politician wants to enjoy my music, that will be great (laughs), but I don't care for such things. I'll go anywhere people want to hear me, cause that's what I do, so the hell with politics.
MN: the music industry is going through a rough time, but it's thrilling. What about you? Would you prefer releasing records with a record label or on your own?
ML: I'm currently with the label 4AD and I love it. They treat me well and do a good job with the albums. But yeah, the music industry has changed a lot.
MN: how do you feel about people downloading your music for free?
ML: that, again, is one of those things I can't control, so I don't really think about it. Of course I would rather having people pay for my music, if they like it, and even if they don't (laughs), but I just go with it…
MN: how do you buy music? At a record store or online?
ML: I go to record stores now and then, but they're getting harder to find… they're disappearing fast. The world is changing and I'm trying to change along with it, cause it's very hard to resist change… so what ever happens happens.
MN: does it bother you that record stores are disappearing?
ML: I'll be much more upset if they stopped having basketball games (laughs).
MN: what's your favorite album?
ML: I'm sure that there's lots of albums I like… just one? Well, I'd take along 'Paris 1919' by john cale… but wait, there's also 'Canzoni' by Fabrizio De André, he's a fantastic singer… and there's a french guy called Gérard Manset with 'La Mort d'Orion', he's fantastic… and 'something else' by the Kinks… I like so many, it's hard to pick just one (laughs).
MN: you and isobel campbell have very good chemistry, obviously, you've released three albums together. When you recorded the first one, did you imagine there would be three?
ML: I haven't thought about it, that's just the way it turned out. She did approach me, but I was a fan of hers ever since belle and sebastian and gentle waves and I was happy to work with her. It was very spontaneous, right after we got back from touring the first album, she asked me to do a second one and I immediately agreed.
MN: thank you for your time, looking forward to seeing you perform in israel next month.
ML: thank you.
man, translating is hard.