A german interview in english of 2004

[snookyjojo]

Andrea and Jim interview from the official German site, Oct. 2004

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German original can be found at the Corrs official German site.

1. Your European Tour starts at the beginning of October. Are you happy that you've finished the studio work for your album Borrowed Heaven and you can play the songs live, for your fans, now?

Andrea: Oh, I think the wonderful thing about the music business is the constant change, it's never boring. But going on tour is almost like a reward for all your hard work in the studio, and for the good and bad days you've had. Going on tour is so magnificent! It's pretty hard sometimes cause it's sorta it is your whole entire life, but the concerts are fantastic. The fact that we are able to play our songs for the whole world, that's amazing.

2. Generally speaking, is touring the most exciting part of your work?
Andrea: Yeah sure, on tour we get feedback from our audience. You can see and hear how people react to the songs you wrote yourself and what they think about all of the things you thought of in the studio and you worked on for quite a while. You're very close to the audience. If it's a really good gig you are almost merging and this can lead to a domino effect: if the audience reacts, we are getting better at the same time. And that's the exciting thing about it.

3. This year's European tour takes place without your sister Caroline, who is advanced in pregnancy. How does it feel to be on tour without Caroline?
Jim: She was with us the last leg of the European tour but she couldn't do the American leg since she had gotten too bulky. To be honest, I don't think people would have liked it very much if she had played the drums in her condition, that's also not healthy for the baby. So we decided together she's taking a break and at the moment, she is really heavily pregnant, she is very bulky and I think already over-due, isn't she? Anyway she can hardly wait to come back and I think she'll be back sooner than we think. It'll be the right thing for her. Which means in a few months time, whenever she's ready, and we're looking forward to having her back. Nevertheless we have another drummer at the moment, Jason Duffy, who is the brother of our bass player by coincidence. Jason is a great drummer and he always contributes new things to our shows. It's fun to play together with him but of course we're looking forward to Caroline being back soon.

4. Don't you miss Caroline not only as a drum player but also as a family member on this tour?
Andrea: Yes, of course very much. We aren't a "normal" band, we are a family, too. It's a bit weird without her. (laughs) Especially at the end of a concert, when we bow together, and now there is only the three of us and somehow you think, "Hey, is she still behind the drums?". We miss her greatly but life and things that happen in life are naturally far more important (laughs).

5. Have you thought about what the future for the band would look like if both Andrea and Sharon got pregnant, too?
Jim: I think it's important to stay flexible in our job. We all took a break and Sharon got married and Caroline as well. And she has already had a child in that period. But, when the time comes: "The show must go on" and as we love what we do, we would make compromises if necessary if, for example, Sharon gets pregnant now. But I think it would be very difficult if Andrea got pregnant since she's the lead vocalist. (Andrea laughs in the background). We will deal with what life brings us, but at the moment we're just glad to be back on tour.

6. What are the fans' reactions to Caroline's absence?
Andrea: The feedback is really good. We are lucky with our fans. The people who like our music are really nice and they are also supporting us in our personal development, what's important in our lives, our personal goals - apart from our life for the music and the band. They are supporting us greatly. Wherever we are on stage, all over the world, they shout things like "Tell Caroline good luck" and they give us presents for the new babies, really very supportive. They say they miss Caroline but they don't hold a grudge or something (laughs).

[snookyjojo]

7. Andrea, are those presents a motivation to become a mother, too?
Andrea: Yeah sure, JUST because of the presents! I want a baby, so I get presents, too (laughs).

8. Are you preparing for such a tour in a special way and if yes, how?
Jim: I wouldn't say that it's problem-free with all the traveling we do. And it's more difficult if you cross different time zones. Although, in America it's not so bad but it gets to you, no doubt. What we try is to eat healthy, to stay fit - many of us do fitness training while on tour. Honestly I'm probably fitter on tour than when we have down time. But it's the only possibility to mobilize the necessary energy for this job.

9. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of life on tour?
Andrea: I think it's like in normal life, touring becomes your everyday life. Thus I think since you are on the road day by day you can have a bad day as well, no matter where you are or what a job you do. When you are accountant or lawyer you have days where you think "This sucks." Generally that doesn't happen to us when we are on stage, thank God as that wouldn't be very good. To be on stage is great! It takes over your whole life and what's great about it is that you are part of the big circus. But you are also cut off from the normal world, that's sometimes a bit weird and I think your private, personal life is on hold during this time and that's one of the things that are a bit negative.

10. Is it a special challenge to play the new songs live?
Jim: Erm, it's always a challenge and I think it's always a good indicator whether the songs are really good if you have to play them a bit more technical (? - weird choice of word in the original - maybe he meant raw?) We don't try to replicate the songs on stage the same way they were produced on the album. We always aim to be more direct and honest and that's a challenge in itself. But the songs on this album won't be problematic. They were excellent when they were produced, we are proud of the songs and it's great fun to play them live.

11. Will Ladysmith Black Mombaza join you for the song "Borrowed Heaven"?
Andrea: No, they are not touring with us, we will sing everything ourselves. And there is a very African feeling nevertheless, we have this huge drum that Jim plays with Jason Duffy on the drums. It will have something of the ethnic-y feeling. It's especially good live, yeah.
Jim: Of course we had to leave out the voices of LBM but who knows if we are touring in the same country - maybe they join us on stage, but at the moment it's also good without them!

12. How will you design the show artistically and musically?
Andrea: It's a very dynamic show. As always, the focus lays on the music, we go on a musical journey. We are not really into choreography or fire works. It's about the music, listen to music and experience, to have fun and freedom! Like may be known, we have expanded the band a bit, with Jason Duffy on the drums as long as Caroline is away, but we also have an accordion player and keyboarder now, Kiran Kylie. He's benefitting the show since before Jim always had to jump back and forth between all the instruments. Well, and of course we have guitars and bass. And a piano, a real piano I mean. It's all very big. It's a really full sound, unlike any other tour before.

13. You have the possibility to choose songs from four studio albums now. How do you select the songs?
Jim: The decision is always very democratic, together with our manager. The five of us are involved in it. And of course the guys from the band, they tell us which songs they think sound best live. Of course it's great to be on tour with four released studio albums as you have so much material to choose from. In the beginning, with FNF, it wasn't so easy to come up with a set for 1 hour and 50 minutes. But now we luckily have many, many songs. Strictly speaking, we had to shorten and swap and I think the next time we have to do that again, and then we might play songs we haven't played live before.

14. Will you play different songs in different countries?
Jim: Absolutely, we have done that very often already. For example, if we play QOH in America, people are more concerned with it than anywhere else on the world, or WTSGB, the Ryan Adams song, is very popular there, so we've decided to play it there. That is, yes, depending on which country we play in, we will make small changes.

15. Would you say your show is more Irish folk or pop rock?
Andrea: Well, it's always a mixture. If you want to define our music, it's always a combination of different influences, there is traditional music but also pop rock. And our show is just like that. Sometimes we have very traditional moments which explode to solid rock suddenly. And this mixture can be found in the whole show.

[snookyjojo]

16. Is it to be expected that the show will be more folk-oriented in your home country Ireland?
Jim: No, because the traditional elements in our music are very popular all over the world, no matter where we are. Strictly speaking that's exactly what makes us unique. We don't do more or less depending on the country. We play the same amount of traditional music everywhere, on the whole pretty much, because that's what people like.
Andrea: And it's also in almost every song, it's kind of always present.

17. How important are Germany and the German fans to you?
Jim: Germany will always be special for me since it was one of the first countries I visited when I started to travel through Europe. Many years ago, when I was still playing in another band, I've lived in Mainz for one and half years. Then I got to know Germany and the Germans quite well, and of course I've been to the Oktoberfest and I probably drank far too much beer (laughs) and well, it was great, it was a special experience and that's why Germany will always be special for me.
Andrea: We have come to Germany very often already and we always had a really good time! We like the people we work with here and we've had some great nights in German cities!

18. Jim, have you learned some German while being here?
Jim: One beer please (laughs).

19. What are you impressions of the German cuisine?
Andrea: You have really cool bread in Germany! I'm always looking forward to the breakfast when I'm here, because the breakfast buffets are always excellent in the hotels. Great bread, and I think Ireland isn't especially known for its cuisine and we can't compete with the German cuisine! (laughs)
Jim: I just had cheeseburger here in the hotel, and it was the best I ever had. It was just great! German cuisine? I've always loved it! I like the big variety of cheese, and also the bread and the different kinds of meat, it's really good. And the yoghurts, really yummy. Actually the dairy products are very good here.

20. How would you describe the German fans in comparison to other European fans?
Andrea: Oh, very enthusiastic! I think they are really very, very... at least towards us, I can only say it for us, when we play here in Germany, the audience is always very enthusiastic. Last summer we started our tour in Bonn and it was completely sold out and a very good start for our tour, the audience in Bonn was fantastic. People here are reacting pretty cool to us, we think (laughs).

21. Your shows will take place in the biggest venues in Germany. Is it even possible to reach every single one in the audience with your music?
Jim: Absolutely! I think the sound will work in the big venues in any case. And in the smaller ones, too. We are very happy about the success we've had in Germany so far and it's always growing. To enter the charts on #2 with your fourth studio album is really fantastic. Yes, it's great.

22. Are you more nervous when you play in a big stadium or in a small venue, or is there no difference?
Andrea: No, it's never the same. I think both are a challenge. If it's a large audience the challenge is to create an intimate atmosphere and to give everyone in the audience the feeling to be addressed. And if it's a smaller place it can be pretty hard because you can see the single faces and how they look at you, you know? (laughs) It's always something different but I think both is a nice challenge.

23. The songs "Angel" and "Goodbye" deal with the death of your mother. How is it for you to play these songs live in front of a large audience?
Andrea: I think it's a very special moment, really. "Angel" has been received really well so far. Well, if you are giving a concert you are lucky because people have actually paid money to see you, which means, you don't play for a bunch of cynics but for people who really want to see you or they wouldn't have come. It's a very special feeling, in a way I would also say that the person you sing about has become immortal somehow, respectively that people are thinking about this person, which is amazing. Or they think of the people they have lost, which everybody has, and these people are becoming part of the room, it's almost like a prayer. Thus it's a really, really special moment in our concerts. For me personally when I'm singing it, I feel it helps me. Once we have reached "Angel" I feel safer somehow. Because it's such a direct, honest song, you can't reveal more of yourself. That's why I'm having more freedom for the rest of the show. And that's good.

24. Does it touch you when you perform this song ("Angel") live?
Andrea: Yes sure, of course it touches us but it's also somehow liberating. You can get rid of it, it's almost like a scream. It's reaching very deep and I believe that it has an extraordinary meaning for our show.

[snookyjojo]

25. Many artists are very peculiar when it comes to the catering backstage. What has to be ready for you backstage?
Jim: Go-go dancers, schuhplattler and drops... what else? No honestly, drops.
Andrea: Ginger, lots and lots of ginger and honey and lemons. I'm making a tea out of this, it's basically disinfecting my throat. It's really good but I don't think it's very rock'n'roll, is it? But very, very good.
Jim: Most of the food with have backstage is very healthy anyway. We have this huge juicer where you can put the whole fruit in. So we always have some juices that give us energy before we enter the stage.
Andrea: Well, and there are also the after show drinks which aren't quite as healthy. Beer, or wine or something.
Jim: Nothing really special. I suppose it's a bit boring...

26. Is a tour just stress and no fun for you?
Andrea: No, it's also fun, we have a good time. But we have to be careful, for example that we have the next day off when we want to have a drink. It doesn't matter how you feel or how you think you can sing but I'd feel guilty if somebody sees a gig which wasn't brilliant. But it was THE evening for this person and they bought a ticket and you're the one who ruined everything. I'd feel terribly guilty. But of course we also have a good time out, but we try to take care that we don't do damage to ourselves. It's not so easy for me, our show is really demanding and strenuous for my voice. I have to be careful because it's my instrument that should be top all the time. We also have nice times. We take it.

27. Do you have time for sightseeing during a tour?
Jim: To be honest, the only possibility to really get to know a city or country would be to come back for holidays. We try to see as much as possible of the cities we travel to. But normally we come off the stage, enter a car and are taken to the airport. Or we get on the tourbus and drive to the next city. If we're lucky we have one day off but that's rare. And that's the problem: we're working most of the time and don't really have the chance. But we've been to Cologne a few times, we got to know it a bit better, or Hamburg, we know that as well. And bit of Berlin. Unfortunately we don't have the opportunity to look at the cities as much as we'd like to.

28. How is your relationship to your fans who are known to wait for you in front of the hotels? How do you keep your privacy?
Andrea: I think if you come into a hotel you should be aware this isn't going to be very private. It's okay in its way. And sometimes it's also very nice, you visit a city and people want to welcome you and see you. That's totally alright! Thankfully our fans don't shove or something, they are always nice and respectful. Often you recognize one or another and that can calm you, if you see a few familiar faces during a concert, you know "Oh this is good, they are almost like friends, this will be nice." I think everybody who is leading a public life has to deal with rumors or the press taking a closer look at your private life. We are very private persons and and I think we're kind of spared because we hardly talk about our private life. If you have decided not to speak about everything, there is not a lot they can do. The only thing we say about us can be found in our songs, and that's it.

29. Jim, would you describe yourself as the big brother who wants to protect his sisters from time to time?
Jim: Oh, if I'm the protective, big brother? Well, I think so but I also think it was more like this when I was younger. Nowadays it's more balanced. Of course I'm looking after them but I think we do that all the time for each other. We're very close, which is great, we can read each other quite well. Yeah, I'm probably protective, but not too much, am I?
Andrea: No, it's true we're all looking after each other. It's like we're the only persons who understand what the others are going through. Because we are going through the same thing, but everybody is also part of the family, which is also our band. So I think we're all taking care of each other.

30. Is it difficult to be a band and a family?
Jim: Well, I suppose it wouldn't work for everyone, to grow up with your family members and then have a job where you are constantly around each other again. It wouldn't work for everyone but it works for us. Luckily for us we get along very well with each other and so far, everything has worked well. What joins us the love for music and the joy of making it. And that's what makes it work.

31. You have worked with Bono from U2 for the song WTSGB. This song can be found on the album "Vh1 presents the Corrs live in Dublin", which has only be released be in the US. Why not in Europe as well?
Andrea: At the time, we had lots of releases here and it just wasn't the right time. It's also a Vh1 Unplugged album, which was something completely new. It was also designed for the American market. We couldn't release it anywhere else because U2 were releasing another album at the same time and you have to coordinate things a bit so you don't confuse things for your own band and the other band. Even though we're very proud of the album, it's only available as an import here. I do hope we can release the album here as well, it doesn't have to be a single for the radio - just the album. It's a very good album and it would be very nice to release it here, too.

32. How was it working with Bono?
Andrea: We've been friends for a couple of years. And Dublin is also a small, close-knit community, at least in our business. It was great of course, fantastic to play and sing together and for this album, we also recorded TEFT together. You're thinking, "Wow, this is really fantastic to be able to work with them." They are cool and down-to-earth. It's great fun!
Jim: We have a lot of respect for them and what they have achieved. They have always worked so hard and are continuing to do so. We have a lot to thank them for since they have paved the way for Irish bands to a certain degree. I think because of them record companies are giving Irish bands a chance, and that's very positive.

33. Andrea, you are playing a lead role in the upcoming movie "The Boys From County Clare". What is it about?
Andrea: "The Boys From County Clare" is a comedy, a kind of dramatic comedy. And it's a how-do-I-grow-up story for the girl I'm playing. It's mainly about a music festival in Ireland. The movie is really, really funny but also very true, especially when it comes to the Irish way of living I think. When you think you have to cry you find yourself laughing so hard, and that's something typical Irish. It was great being involved with this. I believe the movie even has a German producer. It was fantastic to do that again.

[snookyjojo]

34. Jim, after your first joint stint in "The Commitments", don't you want to be an actor again too?
Jim: Well, I didn't have the opportunity to explore my abilities and limits in this field. I think this is something I might try later.

35. Andrea, if you had to choose between life as musician or as an actress, what would you choose?
Andrea: I think I chose 15 years ago! We are a band who have been on the road or wrote songs together for the biggest part of our lives. I've been in this band for more than half of my life so this is what I've chosen. However I don't think you have to choose exclusively one thing. I'm interested in doing more in this direction in the future, but music is my priority.

36. What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you on stage?
Jim: I'm sure there are lots of things... can you remember something specific?
Andrea: Oh yes I can! (laughs) But I'm not sure I should talk about it (laughs. To Jim I had to think about our first Wembley show, we were the support act, that was years ago and the record company was sitting front row...?
Jim: Oh no... no... (laughs)
Andrea: You see, I'm not allowed...
Both: Some things were so terribly, it's too embarrassing to tell (both laugh).
Jim: There are things that happen at various shows. Mistakes happen. For example: sometimes you just glance at the set list when we haven't played many shows yet or re-arranged something. And then you think that this and this song has to follow but when you take another glance at the list, you realize that a completely different song is on, it's already being counted in and you aren't ready yet and start totally wrong... this has happened to me quite a few times and it's rather awkward!
Andrea: Yeah, you start a song and everyone says, "No, that's not it...!". Or sometimes I'm on the wrong side of the stage when I'm supposed to play the tin whistle in front of the microphone. Or: Sharon's violin literally fell apart when she wanted to play a solo one time. These things happen. Or my In-Ear monitors, they are normally attached with a cable. One time I lost them during the show, they fell between my skirts and I had to fish for them (laughs), it must have looked very weird. Well, this stuff happens.

37. Are you angry when mistakes happen during a show?
Jim: No, on the contrary. We laugh and think it's funny. And it helps because it breaks the tension, and it relaxes the audience. I think when you start with the first songs, the audience doesn't know yet what to expect. And we are a bit nervous too because we want give a good performance and a good show. If we make mistakes, it lightens things up and makes everything more personal in a way. We probably should plan the mistakes in the future (laughs). No, that was just a joke. It's okay and it doesn't bother us at all. We're just human, and humans make mistakes. At least the audience knows we are playing live then, don't they?

38. There currently is a discussion in Germany about a compulsory quota for German music on the radio. What is your opinion of this as a suffering foreign band?
Andrea: I can understand that the artists want their music to be played more often. It's probably not the wisest thing to say here, from me, but I know how it feels. As a band, if you try to be successful, it's hard enough to find success in other countries, notwithstanding how well you fare at home. Speaking a specific language doesn't make things any easier. I can understand it, but I think 70% is quite a lot. However, I can see why they fight for more of their own music being played.
Jim: Yeah, I can totally relate, too, but I wouldn't agree to 70%. 40% seems more realistic to me, I think it's the same in Ireland and in France as well if I'm not mistaken. But you also have to think about how music develops. Merging of different musical cultures can be wonderful! This wouldn't be possible in a country where only music that was produced there is played. What we do now, the sound we have, we would never have found it if we hadn't listened to music from the States or the UK. I think it's extremely important that music doesn't stand still, that it's able to breathe and to develop. In a country where you only play regional music, this is not a possibility. I wouldn't say it's the ultimate solution to bring in such a quota but it's definitely right that music which has been produced in your country should be played on the radio.