Marc Almond can't be beat

Aug 17 2009 By Polly Weeks

As one half of synthpop duo Soft Cell, Marc Almond has been involved in the music scene for more than 30 years. Having just announced new tour dates, he discusses how his taste in music has changed significantly and being the 'Rocky' of pop music.

About to start a solo UK tour, the 52-year-old former member of synthesiser duo Soft Cell feels like he has finally put the horrifying collision, which put him in intensive care, behind him and is looking forward to celebrating 30 years in the music industry next year.

A natural survivor, Almond explains that he learned how to fight early on. "I've had a lot of battles in my life ever since I was a kid at school," Almond explains.

"My younger life damaged me in some ways but it made me too."

Before the crash, the singer had already faced a nervous breakdown, drug addiction and going deaf in one ear.

But it was the collision in 2004, in which he suffered life-threatening head injuries (rumours circulated that he'd actually died), that looked like it would finish Almond's career for good.

"I've had various problems throughout my life and I've had to overcome them. It's battered and bruised me a bit but I've been lucky to put my problems back into creativity," he say, philosophically.

Making it back on stage two years ago, Almond took on a 78-date tour with Jools Holland in 2008 and is now set to release a new album called Orpheus In Exile at the beginning of September. He's also planning to put out another album next year.

"It's a collection of gypsy romance torch ballads," says Almond of his latest work.

"It's a really nice side project from the main album, which is the one out next May. I recorded and financed this one myself in Russia with a Russian orchestra and musicians.

"All the songs are by a Russian gypsy singer called Vadim Kozin. He had a very interesting and sad life. He was adored by the Russian public and was Stalin's favourite singer until one day he refused to write a song for the dictator. Stalin sent him straight to a concentration camp on charges of homosexuality.

"So this album is covers of his songs. It's a very beautiful and touching record."

For those more familiar with Almond's synthpop style, the album may come as a bit of a surprise. "I guess if I was to classify this I'd say it's a 'world music record'," Almond states.

But those who have kept a closer eye on Almond's career will have noticed he left his synthesiser days behind long ago.

In the last two decades he's released electronica, northern soul and disco records, as well another Russian album - Heart On Snow in 2003.

Given the current wave of Eighties-inspired music, has Almond considered capitalising on the trend and returning to his original style of music? Apparently not.

"I haven't really noticed the music scene to be honest. I'm aware of all the people like Little Boots and La Roux and while it's interesting what these bands are doing now with electro, it's somewhere I've already been.

"It's funny because I can hear how the Eighties has influenced some of the new artists and probably some of them weren't even born then! I don't need to revisit it - I've already got the t-shirt, the mug and the triple album!"

Instead of electro beats, Almond spends his time listening to the subtle sounds of Fleet of Foxes and Bat For Lashes but he does admit, "I like experimental music too, perhaps I'll put my voice to an underground electro record just to keep a foot in that direction."

Almond is pleased to leave today's charts to the new batch of pop stars and continue on his own route, away from pop music.

"I don't envy bands coming along now - it's a lot harder. Bands come along and have a very short shelf life. They have one great amazing album and burn very brightly for a short amount of time and then they disappear and their place has been taken by the newer version of them.

"I'm glad I came out of pop music when I did because it has enabled me as an artist to have a longer career. When I set out, if you had a couple of flop singles or your album didn't do so well, you were still encouraged by your record company to do another one.

"Now you also have to compete with all the reality shows, which at times can end up taking over half the charts. I'm glad I left all of that behind. It's not part of my life anymore," Almond states.

But if you're thinking of going to one of Almond's gigs and fear it will be filled solely with new material, there's no need to worry.

"I always want to please the audience at live shows. So I'll do a couple of obscure ones which I like and of course, the classics for the audience. It's like the wedding thing - I'll do something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue."

Considering the hard slog Almond has had in both music and life, many might wonder why he hasn't decided to retire.

"Sometimes I relish a battle because it's something to beat. I always look at life as a series of battles that you have to fight and try to come out on top of. It's important for me to be positive about life!

"I've really enjoyed the way my career has gone - the ups and downs have all been a part of it."

Extra time - Marc Almond

Almond was heavily influenced by John Peel and would stay up late to listen to his radio show.

He is a big fan of Kate Bush's music.

Almond went to Leeds Polytechnic and studied Performance Art

In 2005, Almond had his first travel book In Search of the Pleasure Palace: Disreputable Travels published by Pan Books.

Almond cried on stage at the Shepherds Bush Empire in 2007 when he was finally able to return to performing after his motorbike crash.