Interview with Colin Vearncombe

Colin has just released a compilation consisting of tracks from his repertoire. These pieces were chosen by fans and this record is available today. The singer met with success in 1987 with the song Wonderful Life. We met again after 25 years and have had the pleasure to interview this talented artist for you.

Hello Colin. You have sung in the 80's a beautiful song called "Wonderful Life." Recently, Kim Wilde did a cover of this title. What do you think?
I met Kim a few times in the late 80's. I thought it was a pretty brilliant woman. However this cover does not interest me much because it doesn't fit my personal taste.

How do you explain the success of Wonderful Life?
I can't quite explain it myself... The song is a phenomenon.

What was your reaction when you heard the song played on the radio for the first time?
I was very excited of course but at the time I was already thinking of my next single.

What are your current and future artistic projects?
I publish a new compilation entitled "Any color you like" which will be available in September 2011. A kind of retrospective of my titles chosen by my fans. I also have an exhibition of paintings in Cork, Ireland where I live. Plus two books: one of them contains poems and another, a "Graphic poem" called "Bride of the Abyss" (the successor to Water on stone).

A new album is being written?
Not right now but I continue to write because I have not said everything.

When you compose a song you start with the lyrics or melody?
This may be one or the other but I like both options.

The Given is a very interesting album. You published in 2009 and Andy Patterson had co-produced. Could you tell us something about this achievement?
These songs were written and recorded during the session Water On Stone but they were not adapted. So I decided to make them available for free download.

You can discover your work on your official website. What do you think of the Internet?
The Internet is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who has ideas, energy and enthusiasm. But these days it becomes difficult to make a living in my profession. Most people believe that music should be free. We can understand where that leaves us.

If the web had been available in the 80's do you think your career would have taken a completely different meaning?
Definitely. The Internet has brought great changes also in the business. How this would have influenced my career exactly, I do not know.

Did you come to France recently?
Unfortunately I have not come in France for over ten years. Why don't you invite me?