Michael J. Sheehy
Interview and Preface by Christine Dunleavy

 

Michael J. Sheehy is music that hits you in all the right places, even if they’re ones full of regret and sorrow. He has such a way with words that flutter the heart and soul, plucking all the right strings. He mixes together the wonderful sounds of blues, soul, folk and rock to create something as frighteningly beautiful as bones lying in the still dessert sand, or the sound of rain on parched flesh. This is music that will make your skin crawl right off the bone, yet it’ll keep you alive till the very last electrifying beat.

 

1. Your music invigorates such emotion, not only through your voice but through the such thoughtfully put together lyrics that each song encompasses. What are some of your influences for these lyrics?

I wouldn't say the lyrics are always thoughtfully put together sometimes they are just spewed out. I like songs that tell a story and evoke strong images. I've never been one for lyrical vagueries. Some of what I write about is personal though not always autobiographical. I never let the facts get in the way of telling a good story though this shouldn't detract from the emotional honesty. My catholic upbringing is undoubtedly an influence though I'm no longer a church goer. I don't look back on my days in the church with too much bitterness nor fondness.

2. What are some of the other projects you are a part of right now and what kinds of music do they hit upon?

I'm currently working on a musical. It's about boxing and Faustian pacts, betrayal, suicide, damnation and all other sorts of jolly stuff. I'm also working with a singer called Sandy Dillon who is a force of nature, just the most amazing vocalist. My rock'n'roll band with my brother called Saint Silas Intercession is on hold at the moment, we've been trying to finish our album for the past couple of years but the forces of darkness seem to be working against us.

3. I have to ask a Dream City Film Club question since that was the beginning for you, and was also the first music of yours I ever heard which really hit me right were I needed it…I loved the way you could go from a beautiful, touching, melodic song right over to something completely rocked out with lyrics that tapped into subjects of drug abuse, sex and violence, and yet each album managed to fit together so nicely. What made you decide on such eclectic music that could hit on so many subjects? Or even, what influenced you?

I've taken to describing DCFC as Marlene Dietrich gangbanged by the Birthday Party and The Stooges. and I think that pretty much sums us up.
I guess many people would argue that the eclectic mix didn't work at all, but our only remit was to be as extreme as we could be so we couldn't be nailed down.
I think this irritated a lot of jornos in the UK. I find some of our music difficult to listen to and some of it I'm very proud of.

4. Your solo stuff touches upon the blues, what made you show more of an influence of that in your music now? Or was it always there? I think it definitely fits in really nicely with your musical styles and lyrics and even, at times, adds to it.

The blues has always been there for me. I love the rawness of blues, folk, country and gospel music. I've probably immersed myself in that type of music more and more over the past ten years.

5. Growing up, what music were you into? Do you think it shaped the person you are now, and the music you create?

Well Elvis was the first thing I ever heard. My dad listened to a lot of old country too which I despised as a child but I've come to love as an adult. In my teens I got into Prince in a big way, I still like a lot of his old records. Bowie and Marc Bolan were big influences too, especially on the DCFC stuff.

6. Where are you originally from? And what was/is it like to live there? I know places can have quite an effect on people or even be an inspiration, was this one of those places?

I grew up in Camden Town in London and I'm still there. It's changed a lot over the years, and not for the best. It was quite a mixed area, rich and poor, all kinds of colours and creeds. We were brought up to respect people no matter who they were. There were drugs and violence around even then. I kept out of trouble as a teenager and raised hell once I turned twenty

 

Photos By Bolek Leweski

 

7. I must ask, what made you want to do a Virgin Prunes cover? It’s something I’ve never seen anyone ever do, yet I think your version is beautiful and truly does it justice.

The Virgin Prunes and the Birthday Party were the only bands of the so-called Goth scene I ever gave a shit about. I think both bands expressed a sense of humour that none of the other more po-faced bands could. I had a soft spot for the "If I Die, I Die" album by The Prunes and Sweethomeunderwhitecloud. I was just messing around on the Piano trying to write and I started subconsciously picking out the melody and thought, 'why not cover it'? I sent my version to Gavin Friday who wrote back to tell me how much he liked it. That made me very proud.

8. Out of curiosity, what are some of your favorite bands, past and/or present?

Favourite bands would be The Stooges, The Rolling Stones, Sly and the Family Stone, Led Zepplin. Presently, I like The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age. I saw a band on the TV the other day called The Gossip, I thought the singer had the most amazingly soulful voice.

9. Do you ever plan on touring outside of Europe …maybe to the U.S. some day?

I toured the US around five years ago opening for Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, he's a lovely man. I had a great time over there and I'd love to come again. I currently don't have a label over there, if I can find someone to release my records then perhaps I'll come and tour.

10. Where might one be able to purchase your albums?

I guess in this modern age and what with the long drawn out death of the record store the usual internet outlets are the best, or you can find it on my Myspace page.

Michael J. Sheehy's Myspace
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