by Jonathan D. Wright

Peter Koppes with Steve Kilbey are the original founding members of The Church. It’s now been 25 years working together. They have also have out a new album called Uninvited, Like The Clouds and are on a new world tour with it. Chatted with him briefly and here's how it went.

How did you celebrate your 25 Years in the music business? Do anything special or does that not really mean anything to you?
The band played some intimate acoustic concerts including a few more of our rarely performed older songs like The Unguarded Moment, Just for You featuring mandolin, Violet Town, Tristesse with Marty singing lead, and included violin and cello players at Sydney show. We are not generally sentimental but it has been satisfying to still be around when we always wondered from the beginning if we would exist another year.

The Church has been nominated for awards, is that such a big deal to you?
We were nominated for the Australian equivalent of a Grammy called The ARIA's in the category of Adult Contemporary for our acoustic album. Tim and I attended for the new experience and to represent the band if we won but we didn't. Generally the band does not agree with organized competitions in music but I don't take it that seriously and like the idea that televised music shows increase public interest in music. Popularity doesn't usually amount to quality but I would hope that we might be a pleasant alternative for people with taste who might watch the shows.

How did your two Jam albums help for making this new record Uninvited, Like The Clouds? Are there any limits to the Jam sessions/albums you have made together?
The jam albums are a bi-product of our artistic impetus to pursue all avenues of music _expression. As very experienced musicians and producers we often write straight to tape and cull songs from the sections developed spontaneously. The jam albums are examples of this except the ideas can stand alone as instrumentals. It is not premeditated and is truly musicians exploring the unformulated. Isn't it what one would expect from a psychedelic/jazz band.

When have the Clouds been uninvited for you that ruined your day?
The title is Steve's invention and probably doesn't have a definite meaning although the intention would be deep and not quirky. Some of our titles can be taken both ways depending on the disposition or mood of the observer - that is why they intrigue us. It could be about the inevitability of change and rain is needed for the planet - I don't know but it didn't ruin my day thinking about it!

Why has it been so long since you toured here in the USA/States?
Our last agent stuffed us around and we even had to delay the album release because of the missed opportunity to be there.

You have been producing. How different is it to train your ear as producer compare to playing in The Church or wiring songs?
We produce The Church records these days and if you listen to my solo albums you might hear a strong resemblance to The Church sound anyway. The writing process has a strong awareness of the sounds, frequencies and developments a producer/mixer will want to work with to make a great sounding record.

What did you think of your portrait on the CD cover drawing that Steve did?
I always wanted to appear a little Trent Reznorish! I enjoy his impressionist artistic approach - it is what makes his work great.

Which comes first for you - the music or the lyrics writing?
Music first. Lyrics most often seem like poetry when I write them first.

Unified Field - where does that place exist for you?
The future peace on earth ha ha, playing together well, communion with an audience, sex, natural and drug induced awakening, and maybe scientific explanation of the 4th dimension.

What is Day 5 for you? Is it Friday or...?
As uninspiring as it sounds it was the day it was written and now I have spoiled the mystery like a magician showing his trick but it is ominous for some reason.

If you had a Pure Chance what chance for you would that be for and why?
Probably not answering your question but synchronicity has happened to me many times and made me consider the reality of manifestation and the possibility of a higher power. But luck has a lot to do with things.

This album seems not to be moody and in a happier place is this where the band is now with its music or was this on purpose?
A bit of both I suppose as we have been more conscious of accessibility to our music and the economics but also because we have survived some uncomfortable situations associated with drugs and relationships within the band.

Uninvited, Like The Clouds is such a commercial album seems like this time around. Well produced too. With great Arrangements.
Thanks for your appreciation - it is our manifesto to appeal to people who have experienced a lot of music and have a love of the art like ourselves.

Peter Koppes plays many music instruments. He is a great writer and has proven his utmost brilliancy this time around with the more commercial release. I hope there is still more to come from such an artist as Peter is.

Uninvited, Like The Links

The Church: Their Official Home Page!
Cooking Vinyl Records: The Record Label for The Church!
The Church on Myspace: Their Official Myspace Page!
The Highwire Daze Home Page: Return to the Main Page!

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