Derry singer-songwriter Colm Warren has released his new single, Choked. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Having previously fronted Northern Irish punk quartet The Twenty, Warren revealed a subtler, more gentle side to his craft via his acclaimed debut singles Void and Shame.
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Tell us three things about yourself?
I'm fiercely proud of my Derry City roots. Having children (now three and four) totally changed how I look at life and how I feel I need to live. And I barely told anyone I wrote songs - or was even interested in doing it - for about 20 years. Burying all that and denying myself any creative outlet was not a wise or sensible life choice. I wouldn’t recommend it!
How would you describe your music?
Honest and made for the right reasons. I make music that I think fits the sentiment of the song and the feelings/emotions I am trying to convey or tap in to through it. That is my one and only driver, and it will never change.
Who are your musical inspirations?
There’s too many to mention and all the usual suspects will be in there. But anyone who knows me, knows that I have loved Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses my entire life - so I can’t deny them now! More recently, Bill Ryder-Jones has been heavy on my playlist.
How are you occupying yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
I make music when I can while trying to manage a number of other interests (and normal family life) In truth, I’ve barely had a second to think properly about music through lockdown - as everything else has been so full-on. It’s actually been an incredibly hectic period for me. I have been teaching myself the piano though, by ear, which my family are enjoying immensely!
What’s your favourite song right now?
It’s not current but I keep going back to Bill Ryder-Jones’ No One’s Trying To Kill You for some reason.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Very difficult. Off the top of my head, Shane MacGowan: "You’re the measure of my dreams..." Sonny Curtis: "I needed money 'cos … I had none" Or Rage Against The Machine: "F*** you, I won’t do what you tell me!" (and exactly how Zack delivers it!)
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
I reckon Beck’s Lost Cause might be appropriate! Or Estranged by Guns N’ Roses. Pure genius in my book!
Where can people find your music/more information?
The unfortunately necessary evil of Facebook: Colm Warren Music, Twitter @ColmSongs and I’m sort of on Instagram too . . . but I don’t really know how that works!!! There’s music on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes etc and there’s always Bandcamp if you want to stay in the light!
