lush inerview 2008
“Sweetness And Light”- The Miki Berenyi Interview 2008
They don’t stand up to life.
So lock them in your soul and lose the key.”
-Miki Berenyi
Certain bands or songs will forever be intertwined with particular
events or certain times in people’s lives. Lush are one such
band, whom, in my case, will always have a special place in my heart.
There was no world shattering event in my life, no personal catharthis;
I can’t even entertain you with a tragic “Our Tune”
type story of heartbreak and redemption or the agony of unrequited
love… It was quite simple, I heard their music and thought it
was F***ing brilliant, I can remember the thrill when I first heard
their thrashing swirling guitars, the thunderous drumming and the
evocative wispy vocals. Some cite hearing Hendrix, The Beatles, the
Stones the Sex Pistols, or Nirvana etc as their musical
“JFK” moment, but it was Lush for me, I can recall it with
perfect clarity ( although I certainly won’t reveal what I was up
to!) It’s true to say Lush was underrated and unappreciated by
certain sections of the music press in the early 90s. A press that,
like today’s NME, liked to pigeonhole bands into easily
identifiable categories or ludicrous genres. (Hipcore-
tranceopera-emotrip- skagospel-doomgaze-jangle thrash-zzzzz) It seemed
the press didn’t quite know where to put Lush, which of course
just wouldn’t do, I mean how dare they transcend the arsey
classification system imposed by the style gurus and genre makers!
Where they shoegaze? Well not really, were they Brit-pop? Erm
nope…
Still despite the confusion, indignation, snobbery and sexism in
some quarters of the press they gathered a cult following in the UK,
and seemed to be going from strength to strength. 1996 had seen Lush
release their biggest selling album yet “Lovelife” complete
with top 30 singles and numerous high profile TV slots. They also had
just finished yet more successful dates in the U.S.….. Then
…everything fell apart….. As Joe Strummer once said “Whatever
a group is, it was the chemical mixture of those four people that makes
a group work. That’s a lesson everyone should learn,
“Don’t mess with it! If it works just let it… Do
whatever you have to do to bring it forward but don’t mess with
it”... However the tragic the death of drummer Chris Acland
meant Lush really had no choice but to disband, it just wouldn’t
have been the same without him.
I won’t retread old ground here, for those unaware of all things Lush they can find an earlier article HERE which
goes into a little more depth about the bands history, their
beginnings, successes and their eventual break-up. Suffice to say they
are a band who remain incredibly special to me even more so than the
way in which The Clash, The Smiths, Siouxsie, The Jesus and Mary Chain,
Blondie etc are. I, like many others, just totally connected with their
music and although I still miss Lush, their music sounds as amazing and
as vital today as it did some 10 years or so ago …. I was lucky,
I got to see them live twice and those shows remain the highlights of
my many musical adventures …………
So what happened post-Lush? Well, Emma Anderson formed Sing-Sing
with Lisa O’Neil,(who, incidentally, have recently called it a
day) Phil King stayed within the industry playing with The Fallen
Leaves, and Jim Reid amongst others, and is now a member of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s
current line up. Miki Berenyi sang on The Rentals 1999 album Seven More
Minutes (track “The Cruise”,) she sang lead vocals on
Mitsuo Tate’s lovely “Lost In Blue “-Flat 7 album (track-“Smile” later remixed by Robin Guthrie) she’d had a drunken conversation with Patrick Fitzgerald
of The Kitchens Of Distinction recorded and released on Fruits
“Hark! At Her” (Track “Starring Relationships”)
album and then….well then she just seemed to disappear! Rumours
where rife, she’d started a business with Kim Wilde as musical
landscape gardeners called “Songs, Shoegaze N’
Shrubs,” she’d joined that diminutive but rather scary
little fellow, Tom Cruise, and his wacky scientologist chums (Hey maybe
that’s what The Rentals track
“The Cruise” was all about?) Others suggested she’d
ran off to enroll in Mr. Whiffle’s Big Top to become a trapeze
artist . Aside from the latter none of these absurd rumours were
true…so where on earth was Miki? What was she doing?
Now I’m sure it’s apparent that Miki is a huge hero of
mine, and I was as surprised and saddened as anybody that she had
apparently left the musical community completely. She’s talented,
intelligent, beautiful, she produced some wonderful songs, which
covered an amazing range of subjects, as well as being one of the
coolest, nicest people, in music, and she also genuinely seemed to
enjoy being up on stage. She always had a laugh with the audience, and
could render the tedious Neanderthals (who seem to plague female
fronted bands) speechless with a cutting quip or the more basic “Oh do fack off.”
Underneath that iconic red barnet there appeared to be genuinely warm,
kind, caring person who loved what she did. I’d heard via the
wonders of the internet that she was happy and enjoying life, away from
the music biz, which was obviously great to know but a part of me also
still, felt it was a shame that such a talent wasn’t still
writing songs and performing. I wondered if others felt the same.
I therefore resolved to set up a “We Miss Miki” website and myspace page. Soon messages where pouring in from all around the world “What’s she up to?” “She was a rock goddess…come back” “I love Toni Basil, where the devil is she now?!”,-”You get the picture ? 
” People shared tales of meeting Miki, what Lush’s music
meant to them and, reminisced about favourite gigs. There were also
messages from musicians such as Robin Guthrie,
The Kitchens of Distinction, The Wallflowers, music mags and numerous
record labels hoping to sign her up. The message was clear, she was and
is, much admired, respected loved and missed.
Within the many missives received was a message from Eric Matthews,
a musician and composer who’s been producing high quality albums
for well over a decade, from his early days as one half of Cardinal to
his solo albums on Sub Pop and Empyrean Records. Eric informed me that
he had joined forces with Ohio based guitarist Christopher Seink and
that Miki had agreed to provide guest vocals on a couple of tracks for
their “Seinking Ships” project. Apparently Miki and her
partner Moose were
long time fans of Eric’s work. I was delighted to know that the
“majesty of Miki” would be heard once more and obviously
keen to know how things had gone, kept in touch with Eric. In due
course he informed me he was delighted with the results of Miki’s
work in the studio. I can only assume that at some point he must have
assured her that I was no wild eyed, gothic loony toon whose calendar
still read “4AD” and who sat at home stroking a red wig
whilst pretending Miki and Emma were guests of honour at some sort of
weird freakish Miss Haversham type dinner party involving an imaginary
Andrew Eldritch as the butler and….
(Ahem!)….Erm…quite!….. and Miki agreed to an
interview with The VPME. Several somersaults and no small amount of
jigging for joy later (including a rather lame “Dancing
Homer” impression and a moonwalk) I actually contained my
excitement long enough to talk to Miki, Eric and Christopher and
discovered that sometimes heroes really, really do “stand up to life”
“Kiss Chase” By Lush
VP: After the tragic circumstances that surrounded the break up
of Lush did you make a deliberate decision to get out of the music
business completely?
MIKI: No – not really. It’s not like I heard the
news of Chris’s suicide and thought, ‘I’m never
playing in a band again’. It just happened that way – my life
simply changed as a result.
VP: When “Lovelife” was released some critics rather
predictably started to use the old “sell out” angle. Did
this reaction surprise you?
MIKI: Not at all! By the time Lovelife came out we were
pretty well used to being treated with contempt and ridicule by most
quarters of the music press. HA! I remember the Melody Maker reviewing
Split and slagging us off because (apparently) all our songs were
light, jangly things about fluffy clouds and fairies. Meanwhile,
reviewing the same album, the NME complained that our lyrics were too
depressing (covering child abuse and parental death) and didn’t
fit the sparkly, light melodies. I guess what I’m saying is that
we couldn’t do right for doing wrong. I, of course, don’t
agree with the sell-out accusation. I mean, is Ladykillers more
commercial than Hypocrite? Is Desire Lines more shadowy than Last
Night? Is I’ve Been Here Before a throwaway exercise in jazz lite
whereas Lit Up is a trawl through the underbelly of dischordancy
rivalling the darkest periods of Miles Davis?
The production on Lovelife is a little zappier and more upfront. Beyond
that, I just think we got a bit more attention. When Split came out,
the world was grunge and you had to search hard to find a niche in
English pop, so I guess we seemed rare and obscure. By the time we
released Lovelife, Britpop had lightened the mood a little and radio
and TV were receptive to melody-driven pop songs so our version of that
felt commercially acceptable. (i.e., if you stick around for long
enough, you eventually become fashionable)
VP: “Ladykillers”? Was this song biographical?
There’s been much speculation in the past with regard to who the
“Ladykillers” in question may have been…
MIKI: Yes, it was biographical. Three verses, three men,
three experiences – and all united by a baffling attitude to
women. I’m probably being deeply unfair – after all, I
didn’t know any of them particularly well and – god knows
– I’ve acted like an arsehole on occasion and could
similarly be hung out for ridicule. Still, it was great fun writing it
and I remember Ivo Watts-Russell (the then head of 4AD) laughing his
head off when he first heard it in the studio. (So much for the
enigmatic Svengali image.) As for who it’s about –
I’ve definitely heard bachelor number 2 (pretty obvious –
see the video) and bachelor number 3 correctly identified, but never
bachelor number 1.
VP: Recently bands such as The Jesus & Mary Chain and My
Bloody Valentine have reformed , given that a lot of music can now be
made using a laptop and reach a huge audience via the likes of myspace,
have you never been tempted to dip your toe in the murky waters of the
Biz again . If financial constraints and time were not an issue could
you see yourself writing and playing again?
MIKI : Hey – if financial constraints and time were not an
issue I’d be on my 10th LP and recording a Greatest Hits
compilation with the Royal Philharmonic by now. I would love to make
music again, but it’s precisely those things that are stopping
me! Also – I know people out there who are too young to have – or
simply don’t want kids, HATE this answer, but when I do have some
spare time (which is rarely) I really, really just want to spend it
with my family and friends. I just had nine days (NINE!) off for
Christmas and New Year, and – believe me – the very last
thing I wanted to do with it was lock myself away in a room with a
keyboard, guitar and a computer to wrestle with my tortured soul.
I’m 40 and my metabolism is slowing. Meanwhile, the children are
small and cute and not yet slamming doors, stealing cash from my wallet
and mugging our neighbours. So I’m quite content to savour the
moment by sitting around playing ‘Balloon Lagoon’ and
stuffing my face with “Quality Street.”
VP: Do you still play the guitar, and do you still have your
guitars from your Lush days such as the Fender Telecaster, Rickenbacker
370-12, Epiphone Riviera, Firebird II etc?
MIKI: No – I don’t play I’m afraid. I was
never a proper guitarist – only in the context of Lush. I played
the guitar to write songs on and to play live. That’s probably
why I was so crap! To be honest, unless someone is really good, my
heart always sinks a bit when you’re in a public place (campsite,
party, holiday) and someone whips out a guitar. My least favourite
phrase in friendly company is “Here’s a song I’ve
been working on…” I still have the guitars, though.
Sentimental reasons.
VP: How did you hear about my “We Miss Miki”
campaign, did it freak you out or did it make you realise how much you
have been missed by many fans and how much your music meant to them?
MIKI : Hmmmm. I can’t remember. Maybe Emma told me? I
was very flattered. And also slightly frightened. Still, having
exchanged a few emails with you, Andy, it turns out you’re not a
frothing psychopath who wants to abduct my children so, yes –
it’s rather lovely to know that anybody cares!
VP: Are your work colleagues aware of your iconic, guitar playing, cider guzzling rock n roll past?
MIKI: Oh god, yes. I talk about it all the time. They LOVE
hearing about my rock ‘n’ roll anecdotes. I’m like
Les McQueen in The League of Gentlemen – always handing out my
old records and warning my workmates about the pitfalls of the music
industry – “It’s a shit business” –
that’s my catchphrase.
VP: Have you heard any news with regard to 4AD re-mastering and
re-releasing of Lush’s back catalogue, (it’s been rumoured
there will also be a DVD?)
MIKI: Yes, I’ve heard that too! I seem to remember a
bunch of emails about it last year where Emma and I were trying to rack
our brains over every hard-to-find release in the Lush back catalogue
but I honestly don’t know what’s going on with that. Ask
Emma or 4AD!
VP: You are guesting on Seinking Ships album, which will
hopefully be available in 2008, did you enjoy the process, you’ve
said you’re an Eric Matthews fan, and also that his songs were
difficult to sing could you expand on this? (For Eric’s sake!!)
MIKI : Eric got in touch with me through Simon Raymonde
(formerly of the Cocteau Twins and now running Bella Union). He just
asked me if I wanted to sing on his record and after reassuring me that
he had literally no expectations of the shoddy state of my vocals after
a decade away from the mic and that I would be required to make
virtually no effort at all, I agreed. He was very patient with my
numerous delays due to various family crises and really understanding
about my total ignorance of the technological revolution regarding
music and computers. I guess what I meant with the ‘difficult to
sing’ comment is that the vocal line and harmonies are quite
unusual – not obvious. It reminded me of some of Emma’s
songs like Thoughtforms, Lit Up, Olympia and Tiny Smiles (Christ, it
nearly killed me trying to get the pitching right on that damned song).
The vocals work brilliantly within the track, but it’s not the
obvious vocal line or harmony that you would pick, given the notes that
surround it (if you get what I mean!). Plus there’s a pretty big
range – hitting those high notes is fine when you’re young
but after 25 years of Silk Cut I’m finding it a strain to get up
there!
VP: If as mentioned you didn’t feel able to make a
big commitment to music again, would you consider occasional musical
ventures such as this (Seinking Ships) in the future. For example if
Jarvis rang you and said lets write “Ciao 2” – would that
sort of thing appeal?
MIKI : It’s funny, actually, I was in Paris last summer
and we went to a fairground at the Tuileries and who should I bump into
while trying to cram chocolate crepes into my kids’ faces but
Jarvis Cocker, also out with his kid. What a coincidence! I was
actually rather touched that he remembered who I was! But no – no
Ciao 2. I guess I would consider anything so long as I had the time and
it seemed like a fun thing to do!
VP : Do you miss anything about the music Industry , has it changed much since Lush ?
MIKI : I miss the excitement and energy of playing live and
the camaraderie of touring – being with the band and crew in a foreign
country is like going on holiday with your mates but even more fun
because it’s free and there’s a party every night! To be
honest, I was never crazy about the studio. That was much more
Emma’s environment. I enjoyed writing, and got a real
satisfaction and kick out of creating a song. But, to be honest,
rehearsing and demoing and recording it seemed like a bit of a drag.
Once I’d written the song I just wanted to get out there and play
it!
VP: What’s your fondest memory of being a member of Lush?
MIKI: Loads of memories – well, there would be! Most of
the best are from playing gigs. Even supporting The Darling Buds when
we were crammed three in the back of an ex-British Telecom Dodge Commer
going from York to Glasgow at 3am on a damp mattress with my legs up on
the bass drum and an arm keeping the guitars from falling on my head.
Even that was fun. Right up to supporting Jane’s Addiction at a
fucking hockey stadium in America where I thought we were going to get
bottled off and murdered and was virtually in tears I was so scared but
the kids crowd-surfed and cheered and were very sweet and gentle with
us! Actually, as much as recording always seemed a bit of a drag for
me, I really did enjoy doing “Lovelife.” This is no slag
off of any of the other producers we worked with, but I think because
Pete Bartlett (our live sound engineer) recorded it, there was no
nervousness and I didn’t feel so self-conscious about making
suggestions (and being a crap musician and singer!) so I could actually
relax a bit and have fun. I loved that we got our friends involved
(doing back-up vocals, Jarvis duetting, our mate Melissa doing speaky
bits on Last Night, Dan from Kitchens of Distinction coming in to do a
load of percussion, etc) and mucked about with silly instruments (the
toy harmonica keyboard on Ciao, the dripping water on Papasan etc). It
was a proper laugh!
Eric Matthews
VP: You have a new album out yourself very soon which is getting
rave reviews and the Seinking Ships featuring Miki in the pipeline do
you have titles as yet
ERIC: My album is called The Imagination Stage. The Seinking Ships debut LP is called Museum Quality Capture
VP: With regard to The Seinking Ships project how would you describe the music?
ERIC: It’s basically a new wave cinema score. By new
wave, I mean to reference the early and mid-80’s UK stuff. I am
quite a bit older than Christopher but for a kid, he was pretty hip
with his love of Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Cure, Cocteau Twins,
etc… So, he came out of his teens with some of the same
influences as me. Together we are making a brave new kind of
instrumental music. And with Miki doing the featurette vocals, on those
songs it really comes off as new wave adventure pop.
VP: When you writing the songs did you have Miki in mind, or once
the songs were completed did you then think “wouldn’t it be
great to get Miki Berenyi to guest on these tracks?”
ERIC: More of the latter. We had the songs written and done
more or less and then we decided that it would be cool to have a lady
singer on a few of the songs. We made a short list of singers that
would be great for the project and contacted Miki first. Thankfully,
she already knew about my music and was “honored” to be
asked. So, I picked the 3 songs that seemed best suited for a lead
vocal and wrote the vocal parts especially for her, in her range, etc.
I felt like Burt Bacharach and Miki was my D. Warwick.
VP: I reckon you’ll certainly have the eternal gratitude of
fans of Miki for tempting her back into the studio. Given that
Miki’s been away from the biz for quite a while, where you
confident in your powers of persuasion?
ERIC: I am a pretty good pitchman but no, not exactly
confident. I didn’t know the conditions of her retirement at the
time. So, looking back, and now knowing her situation better I am
pretty shocked that she got on board. We are honored to be the project
to bring her back. But what can I say; she more or less agreed to do it
without even hearing the music just based on my reputation. I think
that’s how it was. But when I sent her the package of music she
really came back flipped out and in love with the sound.
VP: Yourself and Christopher (Sienk) seem to be big fans of British music, who would you say are your fave Brit bands?
ERIC: Christopher will have his own list but my top faves are -
The Damned, The Cure The Smiths Depeche Mode Joy Division New Order
Killing Joke Japan Cocteau Twins Dead Can Dance Kissing The Pink Duran
Duran Tears For Fears ABC Tones On Tail Adam and the Ants Gary Numan
…all that genius shit
Christopher Seink:
VP: How did you and Eric hook up?
CHRIS: I knew Eric had done session work in the past; so I
reached out and asked if he would session in on a few tracks I was
working on. I figured three things could happen. He’d ignore me,
he’d decline, or by some miracle he’d listen to the
sessions which happened to be the case.
VP: What other musical projects have you been involved with in the past?
CHRIS: I played in and around the Cleveland/Akron area with a
few bands in the 90’s. It was lot of fun back then. I kind of
miss those days of recording on a TASCAM 4 track, making demo cassettes
recorded on a boom box, and then doing the sleeve artwork at the 24hr
Kinko’s at 2am. If I had to do that now I’d be hating life.
Kids have it easy these days. Uh-oh…. I am sounding old.
VP: You’ve previously stated you where a big Lush fan how does it feel to be involved in working with Miki.
CHRIS: It has been a real exciting moment for me. It’s
still a little hard to believe that Miki sang on a few tracks that I
was a part of. If someone would have told me, while I was watching Lush
play live in Cleveland back in the 90’s, that Miki would be
singing on some tracks of mine that Eric Matthews co-wrote and produced
I would have laughed and laughed.
VP: Eric’s described the music of Seinking Ships but how would you describe it?
CHRIS: Cinematic, dreamy, jazzy, dark, pop
VP: Are there any future plans for Seinking Ships, I believe this
is a studio only project, is it a one -off or may there be other
projects in the future? and what are your own musical plans?
CHRIS: Yeah I am sure there will be more Seinking Ships
tracks in the future but we’re taking it once step at a time. I
am looking forward to a 2008 release of the Seinking Ships LP.
VP: Which other British bands would you say have been a major influence on you?
CHRIS: RIDE, PULP, SWERVEDRIVER, CURE, WIRE, IRON MAIDEN, early VERVE, JOY DIVISION
“Light from A Dead Star” Lush
“A Pictorial History Of Lush.” Miki has kindly shared her
personal photo collection with us, complete with notes and anecdotes .
Not to be missed! Watch This Space!!
Links
Light From A Dead Star Lush Fan Site
CD’s/Downloads
All releases available on the 4AD website
Videos
Nothing Natural By Lush
Ladykillers By Lush
“Smile” Flat 7 & Miki Berenyi
Sweetness And Light By Lush-Live
Kiss Chase By Lush-Live
Chirpy Chirpy Chirpy Tweet Tweet By Lush(from the “Alvin Lives In Leeds- Anti Poll Tax Album” )
Wallpapers
36 Comments
Never heard of Miki or Lush till now_ OMG they r sooo awesome_which album is best tostart offwith ?
“Sweetness
n Light” is so beautiful, Ladykillers , so funny Childcather so
disturbing. Lush really did have it all “MIKI COMEBACK” we
love ya !
Saw you supporting jAnes adiction loved you..maried now- so cant ,
u Rocj
JA
VPME,
It is nice to read that someone feels exactly the same way that I do
about Miki Berenyi. She is dearly missed by myself and obviously by
many others. I was fortunate enough to have interviewed her for a zine
during Lush’s Lovelife and I must say that it was one of the greatest moments of that period of my life.
Since you have no “world shattering event” or
“personal catharsis” tales to share about Lush’s
music I wonder if you wouldn’t mind my sharing one that has left
me scarred for life (hoping, of course, that this isn’t akin to
one of those moments where someone whips out their guitar and says,
“Here’s a song I’ve been working on…”).
Around the time of the release of Spooky, my girlfriend at
the time and I loved to drop ecstasy. On one particular night we had
taken some ecstasy that was extraordinarily potent. On ecstasy, music
sounds good—really good—and listening to brilliant music on
ecstasy is an experience that is just that; pure ecstasy. We were
listening to the ever-so-brilliant Spooky and as we had just
run out of beer, I did what any die-hard Lush fan would do, I sent my
narcotized girlfriend all by her lonesome into the snowy, cold bowels
of lower downtown Denver to fetch more. Now it was just me and Miki.
Her vocals were angelic in my head and I was compelled to show her how
much I appreciated—no adored—her voice and her music. I
started the CD over. “Sweetness and Light” echoed
about the empty warehouse that was my home. I found a razor blade,
removed my shirt and began to pay my homage with slow, calculated cuts
to my chest. S. I. N. G. Then a long slash to underscore. Continuing
below and even deeper with L. O. V. E. (this was before the Pulp song
mind you). My girlfriend returned to find my chest and abdomen bloody;
she was both horrified and smitten.
Being much older now, I can see how ridiculous it all seems
(especially sending my ex-girlfriend out high and alone), yet I still
cannot bring myself to regret seeing that scar every time I look into
the mirror. Lush’s music means that much to me. (OK, it sounds
creepy no matter how I try to wrap it up.)
[BTW in the third to the last sentence of your first paragraph, you have a typo.]
Ouch
! I mean yeah I love Miki, I even wrote her name on my arm with a biro
once. But the old Richie Manic razorblade seems a little painful. But
hey, to quote Jeremy Beadle ” people do the funniest
things” Rumour has it Jeremy was a Pixies fan and such was his
delight at hearing “Debaser” his hand withered.! Take care !
Ive
always thought this was one of the best music blogs on the net. now I
know it is Give VPME a medal. Miki’s my hero, if you can persuade
her back you will be a genius
Luve u miki x
When’s part 2 coming out?!
Briliant, Brilliant Love it -Miki was a wondrful singer and guitarist despite her protestations!xxxxxx
I look forward to hearing the Seinking Ships tracks to hear Miki do her thang again.
On another note – is it just me, or has Emma gotten the shaft in this whole thing? She pulled her weight in Lush too, no?
A
million thanks to you Andy for this brand new interview and, even more,
for the Lush’s cover of “Chirpy Chirpy Tchip Tchip”
(looool) : I’ve been desperately looking for this, at least I can
say I know it ! What is surprising in this early track (in the
band’s story) is its sound, kind of it could have been recorded
much later. There’s two (at least) levels of reading in it : as a
funny 70’s number one cover, and as a gorgeous sounding Lush
track – definitely lovely and addictive !
I still believe that the fire glowing inside Miki – the love of music -
is alive and well, so if I was wrong, despite what she told you, she
wouldn’t have recorded stuff with Seinking Ships I’ve been
looking forward to listen to. And I’d be glad to hear again her
wonderful 12-strings sound as well.
This
was a Miki intreview, as I’ve mentioned Miki was a big hero of
mine , but that’s not disrespecting Emma. Lush wouldn’t
have been Lush without Emma’s amazing contribution too. and of
course I appreciate it…
Part
and be amazed !
2 coming soon – Im hoping to upload some new Pics everyday next week .
Watch this space – And in relation to Cassies question start with
“Spooky”
WOW, take the best blogger,the best singer from the finest band_result? perfection!!
Thanks Andy and Miki, this is wonderful
I hear ya, Andy. This interview was good to read. I look fwd to hearing Miki on the Seinking Ships project.
One more thing – Andy, y go to show that if a person comes sincere, they can usually get what they ask for, no? Hell yeah!
Take it easy!
Gala is definitely their best….one of my favs of all time…..
All
this sudden interest in Lush made me dig out some old VHS tapes.
I’ve put a few tracks on You Tube. Might be of interest!
http://www.youtube.com/user/Lushdeluxe2008
‘No – I don’t play I’m afraid. I was never a proper guitarist’
Punk Rock!
Great videos there Free Bird, thanks for sharing !
Fascinating read.
I’m happy to see she is a doting mother to her children, and
has moved beyond the “shit business” – showing there is
more to life than being a “rock star”. However, like a moth
to a flame, we can never completely let it go. Nor should we.
This has made me happy thanks Miki and Andy. You got to interview her now can you ask her to pick up a guitar again?
totally
agree with the person who made the comment about Emma….actually
I always kind of favored her….but they were great together no
doubt…..
This inteview has made me very very happy
Great interview, thanks for the link. I’m really looking forward to hearing the Seinking Ship album.
Great interview-fun reminiscing about Lush. Any guesses on the identities of bachelors 1 and 3 on Ladykillers?
“Any guesses on the identities of bachelors 1 and 3 on Ladykillers?”
Yes
No 3 That Rentals chap. No 1 I’m thinking John Humphries
“I
miss Miki!” . . . how I professed, yea, cried out those words
back in ‘05 when “Smile” came out and I underwent a
massive “lushassaince” and re-lived all the emotional
solar-storms that I experienced via Lush back in the heady days of the
first half of the ’90s. Now I’m heartened to find that many
others feel the same . . . good work, thanks for doing all this. Now if
Miki returned to song and stage I would be amongst the loudest to cheer
her on in a hero’s welcome, but that’s totally up to her
and I’m gladdened to read that she’s getting on in life
just fine with her family and a “proper job” . . . imagine
having her as a co-worker!
Miki.
I guess we miss you so much because your music *ended* with Lush. No
chance for goodbye. We’d feel differently if you’d carried
on in some shape or form.
I totally, utterly adored you growing up – so not hearing anything at
all was quite sad – we’re really glad you’re happy, though!
I guess that as fans, we hoped, waited. Then we Googled, forgot,
remembered and hoped some more… so the interview and upcoming
project is a wonderful surprise.
I feel like taking you to a quiet corner and explaining to you, slowly,
just how good you were. Miki: we *know* that you are no Jimi Hendrix,
but that is not the point. Obviously, we do not own you, but we *are*
your fans. If I could compel you to write music and sing again, I would
- but I can’t. I guess that’s what records are for. Your
music is a part of me now, anyway… so thank you.
One love.
In reference to Robert M’s post:
Emma did indeed pull her own weight in Lush and in reading
Miki’s comments, it seems as if Miki was acknowledging that,
mentioning how savvy she was in the studio. The attention is just what
you’d expect the lead singer of a band to get, no?
Well, I’m really glad to hear that Miki is happy and content
after the music industry. Lush’s early and untimely demise is
probably the hardest thing I’ve had to bear as a music fan, and
it’s just nice to see Miki one more time gracing us with her
musical presence. I understand how life zooms forward and there’s
always a bill to pay, an engagement to meet and an obligation to fill
but as ikemstar said, Miki was *very* good. Better than she probably gave herself credit for!
I’d like to hope that this isn’t the last we see of
Miki, but if it is I still consider myself lucky to be aware of
Lush’s body of work. It is an honor and a privilege to be a Lush
fan, always will be.
I’m
)
a big fan of Lush from Hong Kong. I heard their music when I was 14
(I’m 25 now). I’m surprised and touched to read this
interview. I really hope that I can hear her to play music again.
Anyway Miki, I wish you happy all the time. Thank you for grew up with
me.
Lush
were one of the best bands ever – exceptional, phenomenal talent. I
listen to Split, Spooky and Gala regularly, and one of my prized
possessions is a limited edition copy of For Love with a gatefold
sleeve. That’s another thing – the art-work, in particular the
early stuff, was utterly exquisite – and so perfect for the music.
I wasn’t massively keen on their change in direction for Lovelife
but there are some great songs on it (e.g. Runaway, The Childcatcher
and Heavenly Nobodies) and some superb B-sides to be found on the
singles (e.g. Dear Me and Piledriver).
I became a huge fan in 1991 (three things clinched it for me: their
name, “that” hair and, above all, Deluxe) but I was only 13
so most of my mates didn’t know who the hell I was on about! Yep,
being a Lush fan for someone of my age in the years that they were
together was a rather solitary experience! So it’s lovely to
discover all these like-minded people and it’s really cool to
spot 18 and 19-year-olds (e.g. on Facebook) who are just discovering
them. Thanks to the interweb, I don’t think they’ll ever be
forgotten.
As for Miki, what a talent. She says she couldn’t sing,
couldn’t play guitar, didn’t have a melody writing talent
like Emma’s etc, none of which are true, but she can’t
argue that she was a brilliant lyricist. The Childcatcher stuns me, as
does Light From a Dead Star.
Some musicians wear their heart on their sleeves a little too much and
it’s not always necessary for them to disclose the amount of
information they do, others’ lyrics are far too obscure all
together. Miki, however, got the balance right…
Glad
to have run across this article. Listening to Lush brings back a lot of
good memories. I remember seeing the video for De-Luxe on MTV’s
120 minutes (I think) circa 1990-91. The music caught my attention and,
of course, the hair. A couple decades later(!) and I still consider
Lush one of my favorite bands. Got to see them once in Chicago
mid-90’s and my daughter uses my old concert shirt as her
pajamas. “Light From A Dead Star” – incredible song.
I’d love to hear her record something of her own again.
I’d donate a few bucks to the “Miki Needs to Pay The Bills
So She’ll Record A Song Fund” for a song once in a while.
Well, I would if it existed.
“Miki and her partner Moose where long time fans”
Dude,
That should be “were” – ’tis a very easy mistake to make ,VP.
(and I love Josie’s singing too, c-c-c-can’t you see?)
As a journo & fellow Lush git, I wanted to point it out as I
know what it’s like writing when you’re excited and under
the gun but not spellchecking loses cred, kid!
Lotsa love and thankyou for an EXCELENT read otherwise!
Stay beautiful!
Dxxx
A mistake? Were? I mean, where ? Werewolf ? Where wolf ? There ! There wolf !
haha Cheers dude
So
good to hear from Miki via your interview. Their music is still in
heavy rotation on my stereo! I’ve even wriiten a few Lush song
knock-offs back in the day. Maybe I should dust one off and present it
to my band…. Hmmmm.
Well
there’s some answers to what Miki did next!.. great that she
seems to be contented with life – but obviously if she could just climb
back on stage an oblige us all that’s be great.. what you think
MikI?!! I saw Lush in Dublin, I think in ‘96 and it is still far
and away the best concert I’ve ever seen….
Grand