I catch Krissy Matthews, 26 year old English-Norwegian guitarist and singer, on his mobile phone on the motorway just before he boarded the ferry from England to Germany. I myself am standing with my car on a supermarket parking lot in Frankfurt. Matthews is on his way to Bonn. In the local club Harmonie the "Rockpalast" will record a concert of his solo band for the "Crossroads" series on 21 March.
eclipsed: Are you more nervous before such gigs than at normal concerts?
Krissy Matthews: Of course. That's why we rehearsed a lot. We are very well prepared and will leave nothing to chance.
eclipsed: Doesn't that contradict what you otherwise offer live? You're often experienced as a free improviser, at least with solos.
Matthews: Okay, that's right. I assume this won't be the best Krissy Matthews gig ever, but at least it won't be a flop. And so the people who see it in the media library or on television can get a good picture of what and who Krissy Matthews is.
eclipsed: Sounds like you're pretty happy with the new album "Monster In Me".
Matthews: Oh, yeah. Especially because I released my most personal songs so far on it. Every song is about something that moves me personally, scares me or occupies me.
eclipsed: Quasi a blues rock concept album?
Matthews: I'm describing the monsters inside me. But of course it is not a real concept album. But it was partly agonizing and then liberating to write and record the songs. Fortunately, I had Pete Brown by my side, because writing lyrics is not my thing. I gave Pete my ideas for a text, and he made good lyrics out of it. Bård Torstensen [Clawfinger] produced the album and helped to refine the songs. And Jon Astley, who already worked for The Who and Led Zeppelin, was responsible for the mastering. So with this team, I could only win.
