[This is a very rough english translation from the Internet "Babel Fish" Auto translator]

If anyone has the time, corrections are welcome-the original german is on the above link on the front page]

Mopo

INTERVIEW | 21.01.2003
"I never wanted to be a star"

GERD BAUDER

It is for over thirty years in the Showgeschaeft, but Peter Hammill has never made himself easy. When his volume kicked loose, Van of the Graaf generator end of the sixties considerably the British Prog skirt wave, which smoothed von Genesis for friendly musicians the way, Hammill decided against the Charts and dissolved those volume, looked afterwards for artistic implementation in the reduction on very British Songwriting.

Numerous famous colleagues such as Peter Gabriel and Herbert Groenemeyer look for the Naehes of the bulky artist again and again. The MOPO presents Peter Hammill's Hamburg concert.

MOPO: What is the special at the acoustic sound for you, which dominates also its new album "Clutch"?

Hammill: The decision to play only acoustically is due to the principles of my Songwriting. I still believe that Songwriting is a convincing and strong art form.

MOPO: They decided into the Siebzigern against the mechanisms of the Popgeschaefts. Thus you won independence, your artistic broterwerb however remained toilsome. Did you ever repent your resolution?

Hammill: In no way. It's the music that concerns me. I never wanted to be a star. Those few experiences, which I made in this connection with Van Der Graaf Generator, and to me, were nevertheless, in the the best case, unpleasant. In addition I would have, would I be "more successfull" been, never in such measure be able to follow my conceptions. Success does not lead necessarily to more liberty.

MOPO: The media give you nowadays little attention. How do you hold for contact to your public?

Hammill: Now, often my public with me must remain in contact. And it seems, the media does not report too much on me. That is however okay, since I do not have interest to function as a public figure. On the other hand the InterNet increased my independence from the media, since everyone can inform directly on my Site www.sofasound.com. And I still play live. Like that me my public is fortunately over all the years and also all the changes remained faithful.

MOPO: Today you are a one-man enterprise. They take up everything, publish on your own label and play many solo Shows. Isn't that sometimes hard?

Hammill: Quite. Occasionally there are oppressive times. But it would give also, if my life were determined by others. Thus am I altogether . . .

just kind of ends there....

Anyone have the original newpaper article from Jan 21?