INTERVIEW: Kristin Hersh Talks Dublin, Works In Progress. Says She’s Returning for her “Ireland Fix”

INTERVIEW: Kristin Hersh Talks Dublin, Works In Progress. Says She’s Returning for her “Ireland Fix” 1
photo-credit-Peter-Mellekas

Kristin Hersh is most recognized as the front person for the influential art-punk band Throwing Muses. She has also found a surprisingly successful career as an author, she has published the critically acclaimed “Paradoxical Undressing” in the UK (released as “Rat Girl” in the USA), a children’s book “Toby Snax,” and “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die,” a highly acclaimed personal account of her long friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt.

Kristin will also be returning to Dublin for an exclusive one-off concert, to take place on Sunday, July 23 at the National Concert Hall. Mike Dimitriou recently caught up with Kristen to talk about the show for XS Noize

 

1) It’s so exciting that you are returning to Ireland. I take it that you like this place then? What is your personal favourite place in Ireland?

It’s close to addiction, in that I feel “less than” when I don’t get my Ireland fix. My favorite place there? Probably a field near a gas station where I saw a double rainbow while they blasted Patsy Cline across the parking lot. Dumb but true…

2) How was your experience this past December when you last played here?

The musical literacy in the room, the laughter, deep intelligence and emotion coming off the crowd…in only a handful of places on planet earth can you find that perfect combination of mind and heart.

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photo-credit-Peter-Mellekas

3) Any chance you might visit Northern Ireland at some point in the future? Have you ever played there previously?

I have played Northern Ireland and it was lovely. My job is basically to get out of the van when I’m told, though. I can’t just play wherever I want, unfortunately. I could try, but they’d shoo me away.

4) You recently issued your double album ‘Wyatt at the Coyote Palace’ on vinyl via America’s HHBTM Records and as a book/CD combo via Britain’s Omnibus Press. How has the reaction been to this release thus far?

I found the positive reception shocking. Because I’m shy, I like to think I’m working in a vacuum, so when a record is truly supported like this one, I second guess my work. Like suddenly realizing you weren’t talking to yourself, you were speaking into a microphone.

5) You have already published several books – do you have anything else in the works right now? I also hear that your book ‘Rat Girl’ is being made into a television series. Anything you can say about that?

I’m doing a whole bunch of stuff…it sounds so obnoxious when you talk about it, though. I’m wearing out my welcome and there’s no time to sleep: success!

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photo-credit-Peter-Mellekas

6) I also read on social media somewhere that you’ve already begun working on the next Throwing Muses album. How is that coming along? Always looking forward to hearing whatever you have up your sleeve.

The Muses record is so very strange. I like to be confused by music; confusion catches my ear and keeps me invested. So things are going well, I guess, because I’m DEEPLY confused by this one.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and I wish you a brilliant performance at Dublin’s National Concert Hall.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you doing this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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