CHRIS & COSEY should need no introduction. They have been producing unique and individual electronic-based music since the 1970s (as members of the legendary COUM TRANSMISSIONS and THROBBING GRISTLE), and have released a number of vital LPs and CDs as CHRIS & COSEY, solo, and in collaboration with others as C.T.I.. Based in Norfolk, England, Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti are constantly working on new projects as well as re-releasing some of their out-of-print works. Cosey, who just had major heart surgery, has thankfully recovered and has plans to exhibit some of her work around England. Chris continues to work on musical projects like the 'Library of Sound' series, which is an ongoing set of instrumental soundtrack works. Both Chris & Cosey kindly took some time to answer some questions for Todd Zachritz of GODSEND ONLINE in December 1999.
1-First, how did you initially get interested in electronic music?
COSEY:For myself, I've never really identified anything specific as being the catalyst for my initial interest in electronic music. If I cast my mind back I suppose it was our meeting Chris that really sparked the potential of electronic music. Prior to that we'd used acoustic instruments and strayed into rigging them with contact mics. Chris had the knowledge I lacked. He built his own electronic gear and gave me the license and ability to experiment. Having said all that I do think "electronic" music is an undefined term to me because we use all kinds of instruments and objects, so the sounds we produce are not truly speaking what is considered "electronic". It's nit pick ing but I don't in all fairness really think we produce purely "electronic" music.
CHRIS: This is fairly well documented elsewhere but my interest started with my fathers tape decks way back in the 1960's. He allowed me to use them to construct sound experiments such as: cut-ups, reversing, sound-on-sound, vari-speed etc. (pretty basic techniques, but quite avent-garde then). This progressed rapidly into building my own electronic sound making circuits and recording the results. My listening habits started off with the Beach Boys and the Beatles but quickly mutated into the likes of the BBC RadioPhonic Workshop, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Amon, Duul II, Can, White Noise, Beaver & Krause, Walter Carlos, Van Der Graaf Generator, etc. Then later on to include: Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze and such. Funnily enough a few of my all time favourites aren't electronic at all: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Jimi Hendrix and Abba.
2-Your days with TG are well-documented, and yet still there are "new" releases from the TG vaults...what are your thoughts on the continuing interest in your early work with TG?
COSEY: The interest in our past TG work is great but the unofficial release continue to piss us off. It's a fast buck for the greedy and quality suffers for it. The re-releases we do through Mute are at least done with all our full cooperation so people are getting a decent TG product not only in the sound but production too. I think the legitimate re-releases are valid and important too for people who never experienced TG the first time around. I think it still has a place even today with all that's going on. There was a true energy and will to communicate and push the boundaries with no compromise, a refusal to surrender. I think that spirit is building again now and I love that undercurrent of restlessness.
3-Your music as Chris & Cosey has covered much ground since the early days of "Heartbeat", "Trance", etc. How do you feel today looking back at that work? Do you see it as being innovative or influential?
COSEY: I never look at our work in those terms until someone asks or we see or hear of people who cite us as being an influence. I've certainly picked up on C&C sounds in other peoples work. It's flattering when it's been taken a step further, used as a springboard because that's what all innovative work does, it sets the stage for moving forward. But straight rip off's of C&C loops, rhythms, melodies etc. show a lack of talent and skill. I think the variety in our music is down to our artistic approach to music. Making music, video, art etc is a way of life to us. Sure it earns us money, just enough to live on and continue to produce creatively. We don't feel comfortable with a commercial attitude to music. It doesn't interest us really, we get real enjoyment out of going where the music takes us instead of being lead by external considerations.
4-Volume 2 of your CTI "Core" project is in the works...any word on what this will be like? Any collaborators you'd like to name at this point? I've seen both PBK and Vidna Obmana mentioned as possibilities...
COSEY: CORE TWO is becoming a legend more than a reality. This year, as you know, has been totally distracting just in terms of my health problems not to mention other things that have gone down. It's been a year of turmoil. That's not to say it's been negative. My art work has taken over a lot of time normally allocated to getting projects like CORE going, but I believe in not planning things to the point that you deny those things which unexpectedly present themselves. There'd be no excitement then. We go with the flow really and everything tends to find its rightful place and time. We haven't made a final decision on who is on CORE TWO yet anyway because of other peoples commitments etc.
5-Your work is now released through World Serpent, which has fairly limited North American distribution (mainly specialty shops and mail order companies). How is this arrangement compared to your dealings with Nettwerk and Wax Trax? Any plans for more North American releases/licensings?
COSEY: We would dearly love an American distribution deal again because the USA was our largest market and World Serpent don't cover anywhere near the distribution Nettwerk and Waxtrax did. Hence when Waxtrax went down and we left Nettwerk, we lost a lot of access over there. Any serious offers will be considered, but they must be genuine. We were stung for nearly 35000 (pounds) a couple of years ago by a US distribution company who took a very large stock order from us and then refused to pay for it or return it.
6-Describe your "Library Of Sound" releases, intentions, aims, influences, etc.
COSEY: There's not a lot to say about Library of Sound really because they are totally open ended, that's what they are about. Total freedom to record whatever occurs and feels right at the time. I don't think of influences, there may be some operating subconsciously but that's acceptable because they come through as an unconscious response to the sounds we're working with at the time. It's not contrived, unlike in "let's do a track like such and such". I don't see the point of going over old ground unless as I've said before , you're going to move it forward.
7-"Disobedient" includes the input of some rather interesting guest artists--how did this all come about?
CHRIS: The whole Disobey/Disobedient thing was the brainchild of Paul Smith and all at Blast First (Mute). We've known Paul for about 25 years, since he was the manager of Cabaret Voltaire in the 70's. Blast First had been running a series international 'one off' events and clubs under the umbrella name of Disobey and Paul had been on at us for a few years to do a C&C gig but because of Cosey's condition we couldn't do it, so he suggested that I might do a few solo gigs instead (going back to my 'solo' roots). I put together my part of the events relatively quickly considering I had to come up with all new material and visuals but it all worked out beautifully. I have to say it was one of the most 'stress free' tours I've ever been involved with. The recent C&C 'Union' gig in London was also organised by the same Blast First (Mute) team. All very professional and a joy to work with.
8-Your thoughts on the internet and net culture...
COSEY: Love it for access but it's a necessary beast. Alas it's also a perfect vehicle for abuse and potential abusers.
CHRIS: Love it/Hate it. We totally underestimated how time consuming it would be setting-up and running just a medium sized (but constantly expanding) web site. The Net is very distracting and constantly robbing us of quality music making time. Love the near-instant global access and all the wealth of information available 'on tap'. Hate the many down sides, particularly the 'oh so slow' access when the USA wakes-up and goes on-line, and the extremely US centric tone of so much information on the web.9-What do you have planned for the future?
CHRIS: I'm halfway through remixing some of my own material for a series of albums called EAR (Electronica Ambient Remixes), to be released on our own CTI label in 2000. I'm also working on a collaboration album with electro-synthesist Ian Boddy. Because we live so far apart (we live in the East and he lives in the North of England) the material has been recorded at our (CTI) studio and also by exchanging audio files over the net and by regular mail. The rest of the album will be recorded and mixed at Ian's studio in Durham. We have about 75% of the album recorded and it should be out in March 2000 on Ian's new DiN label. UK pro sound magazine Sound On Sound will also be running a piece on how it was recorded when the album is released. I'm also due to start work on a number of remix projects for other US and UK artist in the new year but I can't say more on that at present. And of course there is Core Two.
COSEY: I never plan anything because things have a tendency to change all the time with us. I have projects in the pipeline. I have work in an exhibition at The Whitechapel Gallery, London opening Feb 5th next year. Another show I'm in at the moment at The Cabinet Gallery, London closes January 15th next year. I have a few lectures I may do at Art colleges around the UK. Of course we have Library of Sound Five to record. I'm really looking forward to that because I've not done any recording for ages now. I'm gagging to get going. Also there are some compilations we are contributing to. At present (this is December 23rd 1999), we have stopped everything to rest, read, and relax for Christmas and the New Year. It all kicks off early January!!!!
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Special thanx to both Chris and Cosey for taking the time to answer so cordially and for their help in presenting this interview.
For the latest up-to-date info on Chris & Cosey releases and news, please visit their official website at: http://www.chrisandcosey.com
or email them at: CANDC@chrisandcosey.com