Where are the contemporary Mouths? The musical maniacs? The untuned brats? It’s strange how Courtney Love is still the most outspoken and fearless figure in rock ‘n’ roll. No filter here. None of the fear that comes with artists who have come of age during social media and are hyper-aware of the cost of a slip of the tongue.
Is it any wonder that the Nineties are back? A time which had that last generation of bands who were truly railing against the world by simply being their messed up selves, not smoothing out their personalities in the corporate pop manner that was the industry standard then - and is again now. Charlie XCX? Pur-lease.
So it’s no accident the grungey likes of Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, Black Francis – along with the Gallaghers of course – are all the rage again, along with Love. Her latest move is a new song with 070 Shake (don’t call it a “collab”, see below) which is a version of Tim Buckley’s Song to the Siren, although as Love explains, it’s actually a spellbinding riff on This Mortal Coil’s famous version. Excitingly for fans of Love’s band Hole, the track also features Melissa Auf der Maur as the third vocal trio, the first time her and Love have been in the studio together for 24 years.
Love is also auctioning her handwritten lyrics to Violet – Hole’s still-staggering classic 1994 single – for the animal charity Ellis Park Sumatra Sanctuary, which was set up by Warren Ellis, Nick Cave’s (red) right hand man. It’s gathered some extra attention because Billy Corgan released a video saying he was entering the draw since the lyrics are about him. Love has kind of refuted that in the past but dusting off the old Corgan-Love beef has been a nice way to build up some attention for the cause.
We grabbed a few words from Courtney to find out more... and best prepare for action, as she gives her verdict on Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Ray, Taylor Swift, PJ Harvey and more...
Can you explain how you came to collaborate with 070 Shake?
It was quite mystical. I had mentioned on my BBC radio show what a huge fan I was of hers, but the show had not yet aired, so she couldn't have heard it. I don’t have any social media presence, yet she called my manager to get my number. I was ecstatic! Melissa Auf der Maur from Hole could be the actual "siren"; her voice is a full robust octave above ours, while Shake's voice feels like a rupture in the universe – absolutely gorgeous. I love magical moments like that.
What was it like being back in the studio with Melissa?
It was fantastic! I hope she tours with me. We did a midnight WTF French cover because I was envious of The Last Shadow Puppets' Les Cactus. My French is terrible, but Melissa – known as Madm in Quebec – is flawless, and it turned out amazing! I want it on the album, not just as a junker bonus. It’s irreverent, funny, and just punk; my album needs that kind of irreverence.
What is it like to work with 070 Shake?
She’s a goddess – truly a purist and a queen. I can't even classify her genre. I wanted to include a song on my album produced by my other obsession, Sofia Isella, who I think is either the Gen Z Trent Reznor or Brian Eno; I can’t decide. She’s also only 19! Unfortunately, that song didn’t make the cut because I was straying too far out of my lane... maybe next album.
Who is the most dictatorial person you've worked with in the studio?
No one really... oh wait—ME!
If those albums were playing, it was like a "do not disturb" sign, because they are the best sex albums I can think of
Are you a big Tim Buckley fan?
Of course! What she initially sent was This Mortal Coil[’s version] and she’d never heard it before. She is truly a purist. Her rendition of In the Pines in [070 Shake’s debut album] Modus Vivendi blew my mind. That song has been around since 1914 and has been covered over 160 times; she based her version on Nirvana's Unplugged but also Lead Belly's interpretation.
She changed some parts [of Song to the Siren], but it still vibes like TMC, which is genius and over 45 years old! Who cares? It’s awesome. That TMC album, along with Mazzy Star's first one, used to be on repeat in our one-bedroom flat in San Francisco during the Eighties – if either was playing, it was like a "do not disturb" sign, because they are the best sex albums I can think of.
Who else would you like to collaborate with?
I don’t do “collabs” – man, I hate that word! However, I have co-written songs with some people on this album. [REM’s Michael] Stipe mentioned our collaboration to The New York Times, so I can say it’s gorgeous. I fell down weeping hearing his voice – it’s better than ever! I thought I knew the outcome, but I'm still the grasshopper while Michael is the sensei. There are others I can’t mention; I didn’t intend for any collaborations.
I would love to work with Kendrick Lamar; I have a mad crush on him. I also love UK femme drill artists, but it has to sound organic – not forced. Additionally, I'm a fan of Stormzy and Doja Cat.
I did ask PJ Harvey to come back... but she chose not to respond to me. It's not okay – she hasn’t played rock music in 100 years!
I did ask PJ Harvey to come back – I wanted just one of her great iconic Stones guitar riffs. We have a relationship; I've endorsed her over the decades, but she chose not to respond to me. So I wrote her about how f***ing rude that was. Her manager tried to smooth things over, but it's not okay – she hasn’t played rock music in 100 years! Her first five albums are great; after that, she ventured into art space (though I do love The Last Living Rose, which feels like a John Donne poem with... WTF? A tuba?).
Then came a miracle: Will Sargent, my favourite guitarist on earth, from my favourite band agreed to work with me! My goodness, when he returned from LA for our first song together, I nearly fainted—he's such an icon! If you lined up Jimmy Page, Jonny Greenwood, and Will Sargent, I'd pick Sargent every time; it's insane! He’s on this album and elevating songs beyond description.
He’s not much of a talker, but my producer Butch Walker and our management in LA are all literally fainting – “He’s next level!” Dreams do come true! Still Scouse AF. I think Scousers are my favourite Brits; he's a genius!
As for Sofia Isella, La Familia, Lil Simz, Ivoire Doll – I adore them! Like I said I have a big crush on Kendrick – he is also genius. So is Stormzy. I'm pretty rock-oriented myself and unsure how those collaborations can happen without feeling awkward – it depends on the producer.
I love my home guys too: Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube.
I'd love to co-write a song with Lana Del Rey – I’d like to be “Paul” and go hard on choruses while going back to Norman and go hard on choruses, or whatever. She’s currently on her honeymoon; I'm very happy for her. But every time some kid asks me to “collab” with Lana – I mean come on! Can you stop saying "collab" to someone who straddles Gen X and boomer? We don’t do that! Call it “writing a song together,” not "featuring." It makes me lose my temper and makes it the last thing I want to do. I love Lorde too.
Billy Corgan has entered the raffle for your handwritten lyrics to Violet. What did you think of his video about it? Do you hope he wins so he can pin those lyrics to his wall as he wishes?
I love Corgan; he’s welcome to win! I love that guy, even when we beefed in public, I never didn’t love him.
I think it's wonderful that he's highlighting such an excellent cause, and we created a great perfect storm for my dear friend Julie Panebianco – who is writing my memoir with me – who created an auction for Warren Ellis' animal sanctuary. Billy is a huge animal lover (remember in the Nineties he was on the cover of PAWS – the cat magazine!).
My dog Bell just passed away suddenly at only five years old; I've never experienced grief like this since 1994 – it’s devastating. She was my best friend; animals are far superior to humans! If I were Christian, I'd be furious with God – but as a practising Buddhist, I must accept that those five years she gave me healed me and made me kinder. She wrote this record, and I’m expiating some karma.
Warren's animal sanctuary is such an incredible cause; I'm thrilled that one of my oldest friends Flea encouraged Warren to pursue it since Flea's music academy is nothing short of miraculous – animals first, music second! So yes – Billy helped get Ellis Park Sumatra Sanctuary featured on CNN, People Magazine, and USA Today – it’s an incredible cause that Julie has worked hard for alongside Ellis.
What are your memories of writing those lyrics?
If you can remember the Nineties... you weren’t there!
Are people trying too hard to decipher your lyrics for clues about past relationships in a Taylor Swift-like manner?
Ha! No way! I've seen academic papers written about my music; years ago Brown University even developed a curriculum around it – I read those papers gleefully; it's free wacky therapy!
Frankly, I don’t understand why people do this with Swift either – who cares if she dates high-profile people? Like any woman writing about relationships –dating and breaking up – it happens all the time! All musicians write about broken hearts: Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan (though sideways), Bowie... While I may not love Swift musically, her lyrics when she's angry resonate with me – I find it middlebrow and boring to overanalyse them. Those academic papers I've read are hilarious!
Regarding Violet, I remember thinking: “The amethyst sky is the ovum and the little fish are the sperm” – that cracks me up!
What are some of your favourite lyrics?
I swear to God lately I've been constantly reflecting on the absolute beauty of The Psychedelic Furs' Pretty in Pink: “The one who admits he was first in line is the last to remember her name – and wasn’t she easy? And isn’t she pretty in pink?”
You can't beat “My pussy tastes like Pepsi Cola” as an opening line! [from Lana del Rey’s ‘Cola’]
And no Bowie is obviously not underrated – but his lyrics? Diamond Dogs is wall-to-wall brilliance!
And Kendrick? He's undoubtedly the best hip-hop writer ever; his flow is beautiful and his lyrics thoughtful. Kendrick – if you're reading this – did you listen to Leonard Cohen or Bowie growing up? Because it sounds like it! Plus, political-era Bob Dylan? Dude... seriously... he's a genius!
To join the auction for Courtney’s lyrics and for more information about the charity, head to: https://www.ellispark.org/
