SUMMER 2000

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM SPOTLIGHT
PETER CORNELL

Now touring the United States, I caught up with Peter Cornell earlier this summer at a Starbucks in Venice Beach, CA. How appropriate, I thought, to meet a Seattle musician in a Starbucks in LA - but Peter is far from predictable, he doesn't even drink coffee! What he does do is sing - the voice is astounding. He's released two CDs with each of his previous bands, and now he's striking out on his own. And when it's just him and his guitar on stage he fills the room.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: You recently parted ways with the other members of your band, Grace. Obviously bands break up all the time, but you guys had released two CDs and were getting airplay in some major markets. From the outside it looked like you were on the edge of a major break-through. What made you decide to strike out on your own?

PETER: I am a singer and a tune-smith. I started out a guy with a guitar, milled some songs and played them for family and friends. My songs and performance were always about life. Emotion and emotional. These things were born from a desire to experience the art of songwriting.

How does it happen? What does it feel like? And BAM! I'm writing songs.

My people were very supportive of what for me was, a talent out of left field. I had never played in bands since "junior high". This was a new experience for me. I had a ton of inspiration and support from the exploding music scene in Seattle, circa 1990. There were brilliant musicians and songwriters everywhere and I had the good fortune to meet and see a lot of them. 

I framed the musician I had become with two different bands, in the '90's, and attempted to convert both of them into marketable entities. The first, Inflatable Soule, and the recent, Grace. Along the path of the "breakthrough" I lost the musician I had become. I was now more of a salesman then an artist. I had successfully achieved a creative void. I spent all my time on the business and little on the art.

Although Grace was seemingly industry friendly in today's musical climate, it was for me not creatively inspirational. So, after our last tour, I did the hip artist thing and took a hiatus to find my "Mojo".

I was in Seattle for a couple days in January and had the opportunity to play two shows-just my guitar and me. BAM! I opened my mouth and a voice came out that I had never heard before. For whatever reason, I did not sing that way in Grace. So now I knew. Back to basics. There I was, a guy on a stool, pouring his guts out. That's me. That's my art. I couldn't ask the band to wait for me, so they chose to move on. They released the announcement the band was over. I guess that means it is. 

I played twice more in Seattle in February; four shows in Arizona and four in L.A. in March. I am writing this from Colorado where I just finished a three show weekend and now five weeks across the U.S.-my guitar and I.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Your last CD with Grace definitely has a permanent place in my CD player! You still include a few of those songs in your acoustic shows, but what can we expect from you next, musically?

PETER: A solo trombone/polka act over Tibetan monks chanting! And if that doesn't work?? First, I finish this tour. After that, I am returning to L.A. to smith some tunes with some folks I know there. I am quite anxious to experience writing with new people. I haven't done a lot of that and I look forward to the outcome.

I am excited that I have reconnected to my roots in music and am psyched to see what comes of it. Especially mixed with people I haven't worked with before. I want to get back to expressing my emotion through music. I definitely feel a need for new influence and I am open to it. Right now it is my intention to do a couple more tours solo/acoustic. We'll see.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Do you foresee working with a full band again in the near future? 

PETER: I guess that segue ways into this question. I love playing in bands. As long as I can continue to sing the way I am now, in a band environment, I'd love to have a band behind me. It will be up to me to have a body of material that I am so confident in, that I attract the right players to add to it and bring it more to life. When will that be I don't know quite yet. First things first.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: With your last name and the fact that you live in Seattle it’s pretty easy to figure out who your brother is, but you’ve also worked with some other musicians we’ve all heard of; Chris DeGarmo of Queensryche, Ben Smith of Heart and Dave Abbruzzese of Pearl Jam. What’s it like being a part of such a vibrant musical community?

PETER: Great story. I was in between bands and was doing an acoustic act. I had a regional tour planned on the West Coast opening for a band from S.F.-totally stoked. I have played competitive football every Fall for years. First game of the season, I break my thumb in three places. Tour starts in two weeks and I am out, no guitar, for at least eight. Totally bummed.

My then manager, and sister in-law, called me and said she and my brother had a buddy who would fill in on guitar. I was skeptical-but-okay. The guy, Chris DeGarmo. This was the first opportunity I had to play with such a seasoned musician. We cancelled the out of town dates and just played Seattle. Three shows that changed me as a singer. I had never just sung before and it was great. Chris was a total bro' and is now a good friend. I hope to work with him again someday. Maybe it isn't a "great" story, but I like it.

I obviously have an advantage. So many great musicians live in Seattle. The cool thing is, the musicians I know are all extremely generous to other musicians. Since the beginning of my career, I have had my brother as a tremendous resource and he continues to be my mentor. I am blessed and I know it. 

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Can you tell us about your current tour?

PETER: I am playing a lot of cities that Grace played. Colorado, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, The Carolina's, N.Y. I have thus far been well received and am completely enjoying this type of a tour, solo and acoustic. I added some cities/states I mentioned already. L.A., Tucson, Tempe, Phoenix, Baltimore, York PA, Louisville KY, Athens GA. I am writing for a couple months, then I am working the East Coast for the late Summer, early Fall. Some of the driving is long, long, long by myself, but I can eat where I want to and don't have to share a hotel room. The weather is great, knock on wood, and what an amazing country we live in. I had never traveled extensively in the U.S. before I started touring. This is my third trans-U.S. trip, coast to coast and back, since September. I have also driven the West coast, Seattle to L.A, recently and will do that again at the end of this tour. Get out and see this country! 

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: I saw you live at the Dragonfly in LA and there were some definite groupie chicks. A couple of them actually approached me, thinking that since I was shooting you I might be able to get them access. What is that like?

PETER: Fans are the Enigma. And we are all fans. I make music because I love it. I live and breathe it. If I present music to others and they are moved by it, that is a miracle. That is pure communication and communication-is that not the key to existence?

The ego loves the attention, but the motivation comes from a higher place than just ego. 

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: And I have to ask our favorite ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM question! What are the re-occurring themes that run through your music?

PETER: Experience. Rarely do I write about something that I haven't first lived or felt or tasted or loved or cried or betrayed or been betrayed by. That is the source I am hoping to tap in my next work. Capturing a reality within a memorable tune and keeping it believable.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Anything else you want the world to know about you?

PETER: I only snore when I sleep on my back, which I hardly ever do. I love my family, even though I'm far away. New York is not a scary place.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Thanks Peter! And we have to mention your new web site at http://PeterCornell.com.

PETER: Peace.

Interview conducted by
Cheryl Spelts
ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM



JUNE 2005 UPDATE: Check out Peter Cornell's new band, Black Market Radio.

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