Earlier today, I chatted with Rufus Wainwright. Here’s our full exchange:
1. Was Lulu your most challenging album to record?
This album is a reaction to personal tragedy and also personal exhaustion from doing these operas and doing all these tours and visiting my mom in the hospital. It’s definitely a darker record.
2. Can you explain Lulu‘s myriad Shakespeare references?
A year ago, I worked with Robert Wilson on ten Shakespeare sonnets. He’s a very famous & respected American director. I picked out the three I enjoyed the most. It’s a glimpse into one of the many Wainwright avenues.
Read the remainder of this interview AFTER THE JUMP…
3. What’s the inspiration behind ‘Who Are You New York?’
It was actually written for a film but they didn’t like the song so I ended up keeping it for myself. It worked out better because the film flopped. The basic idea of the song is that New York is a person. Living in Manhattan, there have been many changes that have occurred over the last 15 years. Gentrification, rent hikes, Starbucks, all of that. New York has kind of become a person in exile. You have to search the city for the city.
4. Which collaboration has been the most memorable?
The ultimate wild ride was when I worked with Burt Bacharach. For any singer, that’s one for the books. A dream come true!
5. What’s your favorite song to perform?
‘Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk’ is always one that never fails to up the tempo.
6. Which city has been the most receptive to your live show?
All the big cities have been great but I’ll always have a place in my heart for Barcelona. The fans there were early to the party and have always been great.
7. Who are you currently listening to?
Lhasa De Sela. She was from Montreal. I knew her a little bit. She’s the most incredible singer. She died earlier this year, she was about my age. She made a conscious decision to withdraw from her dreams. Unfortunately, now that she’s dead she’ll sort of become an icon.
8. Are there any misconceptions that you’d like to clear up?
The main one is that there’s some sort of idea floating around that I’m arrogant. I can understand that it’d be easy to come to that conclusion. On second look and thought, all I’m doing is working very hard, expressing a truth about certain projects. I’m thinking outside of the box. If I played coy or demure, that would be more of an annoying stance.
We’re giving away tix to a private Rufus Wainwright gig in NYC!
