R: Hi, we're back, this is radio K[beep]x How are you doing Conor?
C: Fine, thanks, just a little wet...
R: Oh it’s still coming down out there?
C: yeah, I sort of had to run from the car...
R: well, we are glad you made it! Now, your new album, “Fevers and Mirrors”.. tell us a little about the title,
I know there's a good deal of repeated imagery in the lyrics; fevers, mirrors, scales, clocks...
Could you discuss some of this?
C: Sure. Let's see, the fever's...
R: First, First let me say that, this is a brilliant record man, we're all really into it here at the station,
we get lots of calls, its really good stuff.
C: Thanks... Thanks a lot...
R: So talk about some of the symbolisms...
C: the fever?
R: sure!
C: well, the fever is basically, what ever ails you, or presses you... It could be anything, in my case it’s my neurosis
my... depression...but I don’t want it to be limited to that... it's certainly different for different people...
so, what ever keeps you up at night...
R: I see...
C: and the, and the mirror's like, as you might have guessed, self examination, or reflection, or whatever form...
this could be vanity, or self loathing... I, I know I’m, I’m guilty of both...
R: That’s interesting... How about the scales?
C: The scales are essentially our attempt to solve our problems quantitatively, through logic or rationalization...
In my opinion it’s often fruitless, but... always, no not always...
And the clocks and calenders is uh... is just... time... our little measurements, its like, its always chasing after us.
R: It is... It is...
Uh, How about this Arienette, how does she fit into all this?
C: Umm, I’d prefer not to talk about it... in case she's listening...
R: Oh, I’m sorry; I didn't realize she was a real person.
C: She's not. I made her up...
R: Oh, So she's not real?
C: Just as real as you or I...
R: I don’t think I understand...
C: Neither do I, but after I grow up, I will. I mean a lot... A lot of things…are really unclear for me right now...
R: That’s interesting. Ah, now you mentioned your depression...
C: ...No I didn’t...
R: You're from Nebraska right?
C: Yeah... so?
R: Now, let me now if I’m getting to personal, but there seem to be a pretty dark past back there somewhere...
what was it like for you growing up?
C: Dark? Not really... uh... actually I had a great childhood, my parents were wonderful, I went to a catholic school.
They have... they had money so... it... It was all... easy... basically I had everything I wanted... handed to me...
R: Really? So some of the references like babies in bathtubs, are not biographical?
C: Well I do have a brother who died in a bathtub, drowned... actually I had five brothers who died that way...
R: Hah!
C: No, I’m serious... My mother drowned one every year for... five consecutive years...
they were all named “Padriac”, so, that’s…they all got one song...
R: Hmm...
C: It’s kinda like... Walking out the door, to discover it’s a window...
R: But your music is certainly very personal.
C: of course, I put a lot of myself into what I do. But It’s like, being an author you have to,
free yourself to use symbolism and algorithm to reach your goal...
and... And a part of that is, compassion, empathy for other people and, and their situations.
Some of what I sing comes from other people’s experiences as well as my own...
It…It shouldn't matter; the message is intended to be universal.
R: I see what you mean...
C: Can you make that sound stop please?
R: Yes! And your goal?
C: ...I don’t know... uh, create feelings, I guess... a song... it never ends up the way you planned it though...
R: That’s funny that you say that, do you think that...
C: Do you ever hear things, not really there?
R: I’m sorry, what?
C: ...never mind... how long have you worked at this station?
R: Oh, Just a few minutes...uh, now you mentioned your empathy for others,
would you say that, that is what motivates you to make the music that you make?
C: No not really, its more, a need for sympathy, I want people to feel sorry for me.
I like the feel of... the burn of the audience's eyes on me when I’m whispering *all my darkest secrets* into the microphone.
When I was a kid, I used to carry this safety pin around with me, everywhere I went in my pocket.
And when people weren't paying enough attention, I’d dig it into my arm until I started crying...
Everyone stopped what they were doing, and asked me what was the matter, I guess, I guess I kinda...
R: Really? You’re telling me you're doing all this for attention?
C: No, I hate it when people look at me, I get nauseas. In fact, I could care less what people think, about me.
Do you feel that?... wanna dance?
R: No... I'm feeling sick...
C: I really just wanna be warm yellow light that pours all over everyone I love...
R: So... uh, you’re gonna play something for us now, is this a new song?
C: Yeah, but I haven't written it yet... it’s one I’ve been meaning to write... uh...called... “A Song To Pass The Time”...
R: oh, that’s a nice title...
C: ...no it isn't...
You should write your own... scripts...
R: yeah, I know!