Matt Johnson of the band The The talks about the album 'Infected' and working to please himself.
English singer-songwriter Matt Johnson is the founder and only constant member of the band The The. Interviewed in the National Wax Museum in Dublin, he explains why he chose not to promote the debut The The album ‘Soul Mining’ , released in 1983. The album sold purely on the merit of the music.
After ‘Soul Mining’ Matt Johnson took time out to rethink everything and plan the promotion for The The’s follow up album, ‘Infected’ released in November 1986. In stark contrast to ‘Soul Mining’ the whole campaign behind ‘Infected’ was,
A real conscious effort to raise my profile.
To promote ‘Infected’ Matt Johnson decided to make a video for each track enlisting film directors Mark Romanek, Tim Pope, Peter Christopherson and Alastair McIlwain to the project.
For purely economic reasons, Matt Johnson signed to the major label CBS Records. Their financial backing was fundamental to ‘Infected’ coming to fruition, for not only did it involve making film, but it also engaged a large number of musicians.
It took quite a bit of bullying to get the backing, now they’re very pleased that they did.
If CBS Records had not liked ‘Infected’, Matt Johnson’s reaction would have been,
Tough, you know that’s it.
Ultimately Matt Johnson works to please himself and does not worry about what other people think of his work.
'Video File' was a 30 minute programme featuring a different musical artist each week. The presenter was Marty Whelan. Marty was replaced as presenter by Gareth O'Callaghan in 1990. The programme ran until 1991. The first episode of 'Video File' was broadcast on 16 November 1984 and featured Nik Kershaw.
This episode of ‘Video File’ was broadcast on 10 December 1986. The presenter is Marty Whelan.
