May 10, 2001 Confessions From: Aaron I was just wondering if the track 'confessions of a mask' off of "Should the World Fail to Fall Apart", was at all inspired by the Yukio Mishima novel of the same name? In part, yes. Mishima's book title struck me as a great song title and from there I simply penned my own confession. Istifag etmek or contrition describes that song.... March 8, 2001 Dark Entries From: Laura My questions are open to anyone who wishes to reply :) I recently read a copy of Ian Shirley's  Dark Entries; Bauhaus and Beyond and as I read it however, I had more unanswered questions than answered ones. So here they are: 1.  Have you read the book? If so what were your reactions? 2.  Did you feel that the author description of the bands break up was accurate and fair? 3.  Lastly do you ever get annoyed by the never ending stream of questions from your loyal fans? Be honest! Thank you for answering my questions,     Laura No, I don't think the book was accurate and fair. Shirley went no further than the perceptivness of a Melody Maker article. All headline gossip scavenging especially his portrayal of Peter Murphy as problem lead singer with drug and ego problems (which I might say none of my brothers in the band contradicted this perception). Though having said that, I can be impossible and probably am guilty of sending them all completely mad at times. All of which was over blown, inaccurate and saddening. The reasons for the split were multifarious and oddly enough not that much to do with my personal doing...but that is a sleeping dog that was not only left to lie but was sent off to a better place with the Resurrection get together. Only one other aspect of the book that irked me was the impression given that I was not part of the song writing force in the band. Whilst not wishing to split hairs, and undermine the important fact that Bauhaus are the writers as a collective of all the material, if broken down as an excercise in statistics, my participation would come out at over 50% of the material between the lyrics and music. Though as said and as I have always said, in the writing and recording process, the collaborative energy that is Bauhaus determines the final output and this is what was important and not who did what where and when.  Even with songs that were brought to the table fully written, once put through the group process would remarkably become a Bauhaus entity changing in feel etc...Bauhaus is uniquely and like NO other band that I know of comprised, and can only exist with all four original members present, and god bless 'em all...... 3. Lastly do you ever get annoyed by the never ending stream of questions from your loyal fans? Be honest! Answer: Not in the slightest..............After all, One is on the stage and loves One's audience! March 3, 2001 Modern Dance Turkey and Cool Cool Breeze From: Kevin Dear Peter, Are there any plans for Modern Dance Turkey to return to London? The performances in London last year were fantastic..really special. I try to check the MDT site, but my cantankerous PC objects to any substantial or well-heeled website, and freezes. With best wishes and thanks. Kevin. p.s. Serene, horizontal, with headphones and a cup of Chai tea, I decided last night that Subway is the most beautiful song on this planet. MDT (Modern Dance Turkey) have premiered a new piece Seyahatname, which will run in weekly repertoire at the State Opera House Ankara this year. Due to the success of Seyahatname, the Holland Modern Dance Festival have already confirmed MDT to appear on the same bill with the likes of Nederland's Dance Theatre, La La La Human Steps, and other major Modern Dance luminaries, the details of which will be posted on the MDT web site which is under reconstruction at this time. As for London appearances, as the international dates develop it is likely that there will be performances in the UK,, but as of yet there are no confirmed listings. (Glad you enjoyed the Heart Floatation) From: Tom Hello Peter...I am interested in knowing what your inspiration was in writing the poem/song...Cool Cool breeze? I heard it the first time while listening to recall,directly after big and tiny live. I have been a fan of yours from the days of bauhaus. At least from the last days of bauhaus...i was 8 years old when the band broke up. i was a fan even at that age...even though i was too young to understand the lyrics. i became an official Peter Murphy fan in 1992 with the release of "holy smoke" I then bought each of your albums and to my sheer happiness...each one was a wonder in itself. Amazing lyrics,giving the chance for mental images i never thought i would have the capability of having. Thank you for the inspiration to look into myself, for emotions i never thought i could express. Thank you, Tom In the words of my friend, the luminous artist, inimitable diver, everglass touch, invisible car, Carlito Dalceggio: Nomad on wheels We are not place in time-we have not exist in a specific period- we have always been moving-without a safety net- without a starting point-with no real end- just eternal tidal waves- a transmission of mouvement- we have never walked on a tight rope-in a straight line- we never had a destination-we never believed in a promise land- since forever-we just have been hunting for love- for the truth- inner peace- total freedom- little euphoria, We have always been fighting more for a state of mind than a land- We have walked for so long on broken glass that we do not feel pain anymore, Pain becomes power We have been hunting for reptiles and freedom- sunsets and silence- We have been carrying trought all deserts-all cities and highways all our visions- Timeless prophecies- We have provided to earth a rotation system- a constant wind-a never repeating mantra- A beautiful tragedy- we gave a direction to chaos We have filled the silence with whispers- we have learned how to disappear Daily levitation We have created a mystic land between reality and insanity where it is possible to exist without compromise We have transform our souls into vast playgrounds-we have transformed all highways into caroussels We never have let them get us down- we never have let them kill our dreams- We have opened all doors- traced on the ground giant white circles We have transformed all cars into heavenly snakes We have always shared our truth but we never have been prophets We have always been carried by the wind- to find food peace or infinity- we have always been the seeds of chaos- the instant birth of automatic ceremonies- Our life is a procession- an eternal walk on salted waters We are the nomads on wheels We will never stop-our land is a road Our body is a temple- To capture infinity without gloves To exist without a safety net To feel the wind with skin To love without fears The formula of the mouvement Is to never stop January 29, 2001 4AD projects & a 'response' to Peter From: Angus Peter, Did you ever get asked to work with This Mortal Coil? Some of my favourite singers such as Liz Frazer, Lisa Gerrard, Gordon Sharp, Alison Limerick and many others performed on IVO's project. I know alot of other singers turned down the project. Were you one of them? It would have been good to hear you perform with them. Your voice is great as is all your lyrics. Thanks for keeping me entertained. Ivo Watts Russell did ask me to sing a Dead Can Dance song for the first This Mortal Coil album. I can't remember which! At the time Brendan Perry didn't warm to the idea of a DCD song being covered, which both Ivo and I respected. From: june The digital world is forcing us to all become engineers. Reply: ... where we use "Set Preference" tools. The world wide web is the world. Reply: *a* world -- a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. The world is not a lie, it is we who are the liars. Reply: I'm not sure I can take that lying down. The monitor screen is a hypnotist. Reply: The fishtank screensavers can be a bit much. Attention deadened or increased? feeling lost or overloaded... Reply: Computer "memory management" -- if I sit in front of the monitor long enough, does it effect mine? "Memory Deallocation" -- Eeek! Where are all the real trees? or must the virtual forest become our home. Reply: If we don't go to the forest, we'll see neither the forest nor the trees -- nor the lakes -- just fishtank screensavers! Just because I can become digitally famous am I real? Reply: Hmm, that depends. Can I get you on real audio? I programme, therefore, I am?? Reply: I live with a programmer, yet I'm unprogrammable -- I think, unless I'm mistaken. Did your mother have to upgrade her Ram to conceive you?? Reply: Hmph! Where can I go for a blood test!? Or is it a data check!? Or am I once again just hitting my head against a bri -- Baaah!! Instant communication was (and is) possible long before bytes bit us. Reply: True, it's amazing how many ways there are to communicate. My computer is a reflection of me, an ornament or miracle worker. Reply: A "cave" screensaver would be nice; depending on the software and what one can put into it, it can bring out a sea of jewels or a bunch of error messages. Love is attained with knowledge. Reply: I can only write a piano concerto if I know how to play. Send seven strangers an email to tell them you love them. An error in the programme has occurred please restart your computer. Reply: That usually denotes a syntax error (an error in systematic and orderly arrangement of data). Reply: I can hear music in the attempt if I know how to listen. Is knowledge the end or the beginning. Roses, poetry and Portishead January 20, 2001 From: Christine So is this the correct place to ask Peter questions???? I have a comment for him, is that O.K.? I just wanted to tell you THANK YOU!!! My boyfriend proposed to me at the El Rey show on December 1st, and you have helped to make a very memorable evening for me. I am FOREVER grateful. and PLEASE come back to L.A. soon!!!! Thank you Thank You Thank You!!!! From: Christopher Robin Peter, Your lyrics over the years have taught me many things about love, life, and communication. I am 28 years old now, and have been a fan for half of my life. I wanted to share with you - my mentor - what I consider my best work. In the song Hollow Hills, you mention Oberon as a dark presence. It seems that he has made his way into this one as well - though not really dark. This poem has three parts. The first part = the man asking the land what has happened to his love. The second part = the land's response, which pulls us down. (his negativity and paranoia). The third part = the wind's answer which lifts us up. (and speaks the truth). "For Those Who Have Lost" Asked the Man to the Land: "Where, oh where, oh where can she be? My delicate maiden is so far from me. I want for her smile, her light and her hand. But where she does wander, I ask to the land? Tell me of how, just wherefore will be, When next will we meet, her form shall I see? My life is just empty, barren and dull, I need to just hold her, embrace her in full. This is not the way, that is normal to feel. My heart discontent, her love it can heal. These visions of danger, and harm that may come. My fragile enchantress, to where have you run?" Told the Land to the Wind: (lies) "She traveled too far from your heart's good will. Could another, she wondered - keep her from ill? But clad in the shroud of one who deceives, He held her at bay with all of her needs, She felt his tight grip on shoulder and arm. He pulled her away without much alarm. On wings guilded dark, and crimson agleam, Abducted in fear, her voice could not scream. Vanquished of life and vitality draining, She tried to make do with what was remaining. Her essence did flow out, and now all we see Is the faint pale ghost of what used to be." Whispered the Wind to the Man: (truth) "Oberon captured, and holds her near him, For one such as her - you never can win. Them that on wings shall ever just fly. They float on my arms, they dance in my sky. And now I do say, my friend and my foe: Don't covet the life of one who should know, Such freedom that only and ever should be Possessed by an angel, and those who can see All beauty in life, her heart is the flame. This creature is wild, and shall not be tamed. She visits your life, but quickly away. Take not her for granted, lest all will be lost. Trudge on with your life, whatever the cost. And have hope again one day she'll be there. Just out of your sight, she waits in my lair." Said the man to you: "For those who have lost, I tell this to thee Remember the Wind, be patient - and see." ---- You can see that the man knows that he has not really lost his love. She is just needing to be free - to fly in the land of the fairies (Oberon's realm). The man realizes that if he is patient - eventually she will come back to him. I like to recite this poem for people because I can see that it sometimes gives them hope. The thing that I have been wondering about for a long time is - what really triggered you to start writing more "positive" lyrics? Maturity? Parenthood? What was that special point in your life when you really snapped out of the darker lyrics? Did you lose someone? I found that I really didn't start writing positive poetry until I had been through a very dark time myself. Thank you, inspirational one! Dear Poet friend, The question contains the answer. Thank you too. From: Daichi I hope for Peter to work with Portishead or Massive Attack. I think Peter's voice will provide a fantastic atmosphere to their dark atmospheric sound. I have been thinking about that for many years. What do you think about that idea? Sorry for my terrible English. Please would you tell that idea to Peter? Both your suggestions are on the mark, I would be very interested to work with either being a fan myself. More questions and answers for the new year January 13, 2001 From: Damaso Hi Peter! I have a simple but important question for me and all your europeans fans. Peter, when do you come Europe for a tour? Why in the last year you made two differents tours in America and Why don't you make any in Europe? Please don´t forget all your europeans fans, We love your music!!!! Dear Damaso, I'm trying my hardest, the main problem in the past has been lack of record company tour support making it very difficult to afford to put on the shows. Though I am determined to put this right in the coming year. I promise the next time I'm out, Europe will definitely be included. Thanks for your encouraging words. From: Andrea only one thing : I love you !!!!!! Thank you my sweet, I love you too. Questions and answers for the new year January 10, 2001 From: Gianni Panizzut These are my questions: 1)What you think about hard disk recording and digital kind of workin'? What you feel interactin' with computers? 2)Does it influence the way you compose? Or does it influence the way you work on the songs? 3)What do you think about the World Wide Web, and in which way it will be important or not, for music in the future?  4)Do you think that the use of computers, audio programs etc.. will bring to good results for music in general? Do you feel a break between musicians which use new tecnologies and musicians who believe in old kind of workin?? I have an ambivalence to the digital domain only because it forces me to have to think about what I do in a more logical way. Being primarily a singer as well as lyricist, the most successful creative technique up until this point in my life , that has defined me as an 'artist' has been one where there is less outer preparation (the less the better) allowing me to bring myself to the creative moment fresh and unencumbered by preconceptions about what I am about to do, kind of reacting to the moment and following the impulses.Of course as a composer who composes melody as with the voice this approach has proven very fruitful. In this way working with other musicians who are playing /writing in that same moment is a platform that comes very easily for me. On the other hand when confronted with having to negotiate the purely rational domain of programming and being alone with a machine presents for me a challenge in a discipline that requires of the artist, a more rigid and 'mental' involvement. The frustrating aspects in this approach is that the rational mind has to be employed first and foremost in the creative process, whereby such energy is used up in this learning curve that the more instinctive levels used in the creative moment are often stifled and frustrated to the point of attention exhaustion. However, what becomes a requirement, and therefore a positive potential here, is that possibility of honing one's attention so that the rational and instinctive qualities become used in a way that is balanced and interactive. An example of this is moving from the pure epiphany of momentary creation , which is drawn from the 'divine' intellect, to the more mind centered assessment of such things as structure and arrangement, or shape. e.g.; words appear unconsciously, the writer then assesses the result and reacts accordingly, refining them and discovering an inferred meaning. Here is where the digital domain becomes a well spring of possibilities where once mastered has the possibility of becoming part and parcel of that process, with almost instant results one can change the nature of sound , shape of a lyric, speed, length of a piece of music. some things that have occurred to me in this moment; *The digital world is forcing us to all become engineers. *The world wide web is the world . *The world is not a lie, it is we who are the liars *The monitor screen is a hypnotist *Attention deadened or increased?, feeling lost or overloaded *Where are all the real trees? or must the virtual forest become our home *Just because I can become digitally famous am I real?? *I programme therefore I am?? *Did your mother have to upgrade her Ram to conceive you?? *Instant communication was (and is) possible long before bites bit us *My computer is a reflection of me, an ornament or miracle worker. *Love is attained with knowledge *I can only write a piano concerto if I know how to play. *Is Knowledge the end or the beginning. *Send seven strangers an email to tell them you love them. *AN ERROR IN THE PROGRAMME HAS OCCURRED PLEASE RESTART YOUR COMPUTER. From Jennifer I've got a question for Peter that I hoped you'd pass along if possible...A little bird on the Cascade listserv told me that one can occasionally ask the bauhaus boys questions via this email address...I apologize in advance if I'm mistaken, and I hope I'm not an inconvenience. OK. I've noticed in lots of pictures of Peter and/or the band in the early 80s, Peter has a ring on the wedding band finger of his RIGHT hand. I know he wasn't married until after Bauhaus, so I'm guessing that he wore this ring for some other reason. He's got it on (if it is, in fact, the same ring) in lots of pictures from his solo career as well. In fact, I just saw PM perform on the "Just For Love" tour and enjoyed the show very much. I was lucky enough to worm my way into the front row, where I got to touch his hand a couple of times [aiieeee!!! [swoon!]]. It was his right hand, and I noticed again that he had a ring (I can't recall if it was on his right-hand wedding band finger or not). The question, if it's not too personal, is this: Is this the same ring worn so many years ago in Bauhaus? Does it have a special meaning? The reason I ask is that I wear a particular ring on a particular finger (and have for years) for a special reason (not marriage, but having to do with a promise to myself). Of course I'm just speculating that Peter might be doing the same, but I'd really like to know if I'm right. The curiosity has been eating away at me for some time now. It's my 21st birthday ring. October 13, 2000 Look! This is Love Did I not say to you, friend: "Don't go, for I am your Friend? I am the Water of Life in the mirage of decay! And if in anger you go thousands of miles, far from me: Finally you will return - I am your goal and your end!" Did I not say to you, friend: "I am the sea, you're a fish. Do not go to the dry land - I am the Attributes' sea!" Did I not say to you, friend: "Don't fly like birds to the snare! Come, I am strength for your flight, and I am strength for your wings!" Did I not say to you, friend: "They'll block your road, make you cold! But I am fire and heat, warmth of your heart and your love!" Did I not say to you, friend: "Bad qualities, that's your share! But you can lose them! I am the fountain of qualities pure." Did I not say to you, friend: "Don't grieve: 'From which side my work Will be arranged?' For I am He who creates, without sides!" - - Translation by Annemarie Schimmel "Look! This Is Love" Shambhala, 1996 October 13, 2000 A Lamp Is Here to Guide the Way From Raquel: Given the fact that Peter's room has been so empty of its owner's words, this is a question for Peter (or just the manifest of my affection, for that matter)... Having read most of your answers to fan questions, first I must say how very deeply your words touch me, showing such great sensitivity and inner beauty. It would be like saying that your words inspire, which must be something extraordinary, as I believe feeling inspired is what we all long for. And I believe I can assume from everything you've said so far that you're a very spiritual person, with strong connections to the "voices" that come from deep within your soul. And from what I'm capable to know of you, from your words and your music, I'd say with a slight shiver of emotion that it's as if your heart was a rose in bloom... Thus, remembering your words about being intimately related to artistic expression not only through musical performance but also through the practice or admiration of visual arts, a questions rises in my mind: what images wander about your spirit? Meaning, what are the art forms that you can say touch you most deeply? I am curious to know what are the images that would materialize from your lyrics, for example... And as I'm an art student myself, there's another question I'd like to ask: if you were to have your portrait painted by any artist, living or dead, which one would you've like to have done it? Once again, thank you so very much for always being such a beautiful source of inspiration... Dearest Raquel, Selam. Having read all of your mail, first I must say how very deeply your words touch me, showing such great sensitivity and inner beauty. It would be like saying that your words inspire, which must be something extraordinary, as I believe feeling inspired is what we all long for. And I believe I can assume from everything you've said so far that you're a very spiritual person, with strong connections to the "voices" that come from deep within your soul. And from what I'm capable to know of you, from your words and your Art, I'd say with a slight shiver of emotion that it's as if your heart was a rose in bloom... Thus, remembering your words contained herein, I am reminded of the verse from The Book; 'The believer is the mirror to the believer'. There is no One, but You All you see is You It's that you /me -me/you thing the who's who of the lovers club, you can't get a grip on nothing now can you? there's no love where there is .. .....no love. Q)Painted by any artist A)Bellini best wishes Peter October 11, 2000 Just For Love Tour In follow up to his successful Wild Birds tour, Peter will be touring again in the US this coming November. The idea for the tour entitled Just For Love, was inspired and is a continuation of his end of set acoustic renditions of his work as seen last April. Although not an acoustic tour as such, Peter is planning to tread the boards with the extraordinary violinist Hugh Marsh and Peter's Butane Heart, cohort from the Wild Birds tour band Peter Distefano. Additonally, Peter will be introducing some of his new material. The tour will include Mexico City and is planned to extend into Europe through December. Peter says about the Just For Love Tour, "after the incredible sense in intimacy between myself and the audience conjured up the last time out with playing the songs in their purest form. I simply had to tour again, to pick up on the intimations created by this new experience for me. What occurred to me in stripping down the songs like that was a previously unseen strength in the material and myself as singer, The Nomad at Your Door, as if the power of the song became increased in its simplicity, time for sure had nothing to do with it. This will be a step into the dream world, a wanderlust risk, with only one trapping........songs for ever ...and ever. JUST FOR LOVE." To open the evening, will be a special screening of the 1980 film, 'The Grid', a Joanna Woodward film which features Peter. The film was made in 1980 by Joanna and Peter and was shown as the opening event on the 1980 Bauhaus UK tour. The film was Peter's first solo project away from Bauhaus, and on reflection has a strong connection to the often spiritual themes of his later song work. If like many, you wondered if this film really existed, well, you can see for yourselves. The US tour dates are as follows: Nov 5 - Plainview, NY at Vanderbilt Nov 6 - Boston, MA at Axis Nov 8 - New York, NY at Irving Plaza Nov 9 - Philadelphia, PA at Theatre of the Living Arts Nov 10 - Washington, DC at 9:30 Club Nov 11 - Pittsburgh, PA at The Metropol Nov 13 - Pontiac, MI at Clutch Cargo Nov 14 - Chicago, IL at Metro Nov 15 - Minneapolis, MN at First Ave. Nov 17 - Denver, CO at Ogden Theatre Nov 18 - Salt Lake City, UT at DV8 Nov 20 - Vancouver, BC at Richards on Richards Nov 21 - Seattle, WA at The Showbox Nov 22 - Portland, OR at Roseland Nov 24 - San Francisco, CA at Great American Music Hall Nov 25 - San Francisco, CA at Great American Music Hall Nov 27 - Santa Ana, CA at Galaxy Concert Theatre Nov 28 - San Diego, CA at 4th and B Nov 30 - Los Angeles, CA at El Rey Dec 1 - Los Angeles, CA at El Rey Dec 3 - Mexico City, MEX at Salon XXI Peter's Just For Love tour clothes are designed by the renowned Turkish designer Bahar Korçan.   Click here for older answers from Peter     NEWS | TOURDATES | TOUR NOTES | BIO | PHOTOS | MERCHANDISE | MAILING LIST | LINKS