Anathema - Interview Vincent Cavanagh
R'n'R : Who are your principal influences ?
VC : Not so much a’ who’, more of a ‘what’, music to us is instinct. We love and respect a lot of artists but we don’t want to sound like them. Recently I’ve been listening to stuff like Max Richter, Frankie Sparo, Johann Johannson, Aphex Twin, James Blake, Deru, Murcof, Caribou, Jon Hopkins, Brambles, worriedaboutsatan, 65daysofstatic, Stiver, Minorstep.
R'n'R : Since 2008 with « Hindsight » Anathema release a lot of albums. Why ? You have many things to say ?
VC : Yes. We’re always writing music. We have to release albums quickly to stay ahead of the writing. Otherwise there will be a backlog and stuff will never get released. There’s at least 3 albums worth of material that we have put on the shelf.
R'n'R : How in the mid-nineties did you feel to pass from metal to progressive and alternative rock ?
VC : We never forced anything. It all happened naturally. I have no interest in genres. Especially not the ones other people tag onto us. We will always write whatever kind of music comes naturally to us. We pay no attention to such external trivia.
R'n'R : Is Christer-André Cederberg the perfect producer for Anathema ?
VC : He’s certainly the best that we have ever worked with from the start of any recording process. But without being conceited at all the truth is that the perfect producers for Anathema are me, Danny and John. No one knows our music or our songwriting like we do. So it’s a matter of finding someone who fits into that dynamic. Christer is the closest fit that we have found so far.
R'n'R : « We're Here Because We're Here » is not an usual name for a record. Why this title ?
VC : The song arose in the trenches of World War 1. It was a defiant rallying call to the fellow brothers-in-arms that somehow they had made it through another night. They were still here. It was a joyous celebration that brought the men together with a wry smile and boosted morale. Listen to it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA730QtjOBE
R'n'R : You come again in Paris in april the 13. Is Paris a special city for you ? Do you think french audience understands your music better than other countries ?
VC : Yes of course Paris is very special to me. Most people know it has been my home for 6 or 7 years. It will always feel like home to me. I feel a personal connection to the French audience because I have spent so long here.
R'n'R : In Paris the formers Anathema Duncan Patterson and Darren White will play with you. Does it mean you will play old songs for the early 90's ?
VC : Yes. The show is 3 hours long, split into 3 parts. The songs go in reverse chronological order. So set 1 is Distant Satellites to Judgement. Set 2 (with Duncan on bass) is Alternative 4 to The Silent Enigma. Set 3 (with Darren White on vocals) is Pentecost III, Serenades and The Crestfallen EP. This maybe the last time the old line up play these songs live. So it’s important for us. Don’t miss it.
R'n'R : How was to work with the french band Devianz in 2010 ?
VC : Easy. The guys are friends of mine from Paris. They write cool music, a very under rated band, and the singer Guyom is a great lyricist. I liked the song, so when they asked me to sing some backing vocals I was more than happy to. Also I got to sing in French, which was a first for me.
R'n'R : In Universal you work with an symphonic orchestra. How is it to work with such an orchestra and to rearrange your compositions for it ?
VC : In the words of Don Logan, “Preparation, preparation, preparation.” We spent months working together with Dave Stewart our orchestral arranger to make sure everything was perfect. We changed some of how the live band plays, so interact with the orchestra and let them take the lead. We have a lot of respect for classical musicians, so it’s a question of balance.
R'n'R : How do you sense the evolution of Anathema ?
VC : I can tell you a rough idea of what the next album will be like, but beyond that, who knows. There is never a destination with this…
R'n'R : When i listen to your music i feel like you want to touch and talk to Heaven. How do you feel that ?
VC : Continue to speculate if you wish, I’m not going to tell you. For me it’s more important how YOU feel.
R'n'R : Do you consider music as a therapy ?
VC : It can be a small part of therapy in a cathartic sense if you’re creating it. But if you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience mental health issues, or been close to someone who has, then you realise there are much bigger issues to face. As a listener it can offer some comfort to feel that there is someone out there who understands exactly how you feel, even if your friends and family don’t. It can make you feel less alone.
R'n'R : How do live your concerts ? I mean for the audience your concerts are very moving. And for you ?
VC : I put everything I’ve got into playing and singing live. Everything I do for the 24 hours of a day is in preparation for those 2 hours that I’m on stage. I respect the audience and focus on the meaning behind the lyrics in order to communicate with people in an honest way. It’s all about the connection between ourselves and the audience. There’s a kind of cyclical flow of energy being transmitted and received by both sides.
R'n'R : When you compose do you visualize the song played in concert ?
VC : It can happen, yes.
Click and watch the video of Fragile Dreams live
R'n'R : What's the difference working with Christer-Andre Cederberg and Steven Wilson ?
VC : We have never worked on a full album from start to finish with Steven, he has only ever mixed for the band so it’s impossible to compare the two.
R'n'R : Do you think music is easier to describe our inner feelings than the words ?
VC : That depends on many things, each individual has the choice (or ability) to express and articulate their emotions according to many factors including upbringing, gender roles, peer pressure, social expectation, education, mental health and well being amongst others. Emotions at their core are intangible. Music (without the aid of words) has the ability to open up those inner doors and allow everything to flow through uninterrupted by the noise of the mind. Most of my favourite pieces of music of all time have no words.
R'n'R : The last words are for you.
VC : …
Click and watch the video of Untouchable live
Dave on Interview Vincent Cavanagh
Interesting reading. I am not surprised Vincent is thinking about the emotions o...
Crafton on The Bookends
Wonderful article and so well written, we thank you dearly!
halka on Tearing Down The Walls (2014)
Awesome review of an awesome album. Thanks! :-)
Interesting reading. I am not surprised Vincent is thinking about the emotions of the lyrics he is singing, before hand, i always thought his vocals were the most honest i ever heard, even as far back as the early years, watching some of those old live performances, its crazy. Vincent is the best singer on this planet, for that reason.
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