Philip Christie's Irish experimental project The Bonk has released their second album, Greater Than Or Equal To The Bonk. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Phillip was a principal songwriter in the O Emperor, who won the Choice Music Prize Irish Album of The Year in 2018 for their final long player, Jason.
Since then, while developing material with The Bonk, he has collaborated in studio and on stage with several acts including Mick Flannery, Junior Brother, and Cal Folger Day.
His new album is mainly comprised of tracks recorded at Big Skin in Cork City in 2017 and Ailfionn Studios in Drumcondra in late 2018.
"Almost all of the songs on this record were written and recorded in the year after our first album," says Christie. "With the EPs, I was trying out some smaller ideas, almost as an aside, while the LP was taking shape and Covid lockdowns were getting in the way of advancing long-term plans.
"So, I saw this one as a continuation of the line of inquiry on the first LP."
He teamed up with Niamh Dalton on fiddle, Andrew Grant on clarinet, organist Ultran Lavery, Brendan Fennessy on percussion and guitarist Alan Comerford.
"Exploring different formats and combining them has been an interest in this project," says Christie.
"But the time spent getting the songs together in the room with these heads was the highlight of the process and part central to the purpose of the whole endeavor.
"We sometimes teased out structures from long jams, sometimes adding a vocal to full instrumental takes and sometimes just performing tunes that were written out in advance."
"There was also a desire to include a little more of the spontaneity of the group in the writing and recording process and discover what the songs were about by going through the process with everyone for the initial sessions.
"There is also more of an explicit focus on language in some of the tracks this time around - this was always an ingredient but maybe comes across a bit more with these tunes."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I have a problematic wisdom tooth (lower right 8) which flares up occasionally. I've just visited the city of York and been impressed by how well the old city has been preserved. Both of my eyebrows are very full.
How would you describe your music?
Adventurous temporary respite music.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Currently Judee Sill, Arthur Russell and Ghedalia Tazartes.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
The Corrs Live at Lansdowne Road, 1999 and Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
What's your favourite song right now?
My right now favourite is Junior Brother's Favourite by Junior Brother, a favourite artist of mine.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Oh, Saint Patrick he drove out the snakes with his prayers but that's not all it takes."
- Bono.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Thin Lizzy - Chinatown.
Where can people find your music/more information?
