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 Former front lady of The Cranberries had a fifteen minute session with hkclubbing to talk about her new solo album “Are You Listening”.
Nilly: Tell us a little about “Are you Listening”?
DO’R: It is quite a personal album, which I wrote over four years. Not consciously…I was writing more as a hobby, trying to deal with various emotions. I made it as it was both therapeutic and helped me deal with personal challenges. The composition of the album helped me get through challenges and these are also reflected in the songs.
Nilly: Is there any one track on the album that is the most personal for you?
DO’R: Probably “Black Widow”. I was dealing with quite a personal issue with my mother – in –law falling ill. I realized exactly how devastating the experience is when a loved family member is reaching his or her demise. I had lost my grandparents when I was younger but I was younger and didn’t react the same way or understand the sorrow behind it. The emotion was very raw. “Ordinary Day” was also inspired by the birth of my daughter Dakota who is now two years old. I wrote it trying to see myself as a little girl having experienced the future and how I could even change things for her. But it’s about her life challenges she will have to face personally. The other element of the song was that unlike the birth of my other children I was not under pressure to go back to “The Cranberries”, I was simply just an ordinary mother! Nilly: Ordinary Day was filmed in Prague. Why did you choose this city?
DO’R: I love Eastern Europe and Prague is one city with shines with beauty in every way. The architecture, of course, but the people…they have gone through such hardship, yet they have picked themselves back up and just live life happily. These features on the emotional side worked quite nicely with the mood of the album and the inspiration for the songs. On an aesthetic side, the city is just gorgeous with is ornate gothic architecture was just a perfect match to the emotions of the lyrics. Nilly: Tell us a little about the band. Did you collaborate with Graham Hopkins from Therapy??
D’OR: Yes. I was looking for a drummer across Dublin and came across Graham. I wanted a rocking drummer and he was the perfect match. There is also our bassist Marco Mendoza from the band Whitesnake. He has known my husband for 12 years now. And of course out guitarist is a personal friend who was also part of The Cranberries. I’ve known him for about 15 years, but his father is a good friend of my father in law. It’s like a family, the band. Nilly: What are your plans now?
D’OR: Basically just promote the album across Europe and the US. I just got back from Taiwan and heading to Bangkok. Really a packed schedule with promotions and promotional concerts and doing interviews. Nilly: Any time to rest?
D’OR: I split my time between Dublin and Canada where I have a log house in Ontario, so it will be the standard rest and work routine. Nilly: What are your thoughts on Hong Kong?
D’OR: I have been here before with The Cranberries and I find it gorgeous. I have not seen too much of Hong Kong, but everyone I have met is just wonderful. There is so much respect for different cultures and basic family values. Next time I want to have a chance to look around! Interview: Nilly Chaudhuri |
