By all accounts, John's show in the Olympia this week was a special one, including a heart stopping rendition of 'Glacier' accompanied by his close friend Sinead O'Connor and Conor O'Brien of Villagers.
John continued his tour with dates in Belfast, Galway and Cork, but if you weren't lucky enough to secure a ticket, don't worry!
John joined Tom for 'Back to Mine' this week. He talked about the success he's had with his acclaimed 2013 album 'Pale Green Ghosts', his battles with addiction, his love for ABBA and what it's like to meet Elton John.
On his relationship with Ireland...
It feels like a special place to me, I almost don't want to talk about it because I don't want it to go away. I've always felt that if the Irish liked you then that was a big compliment because the Irish are known for their knowledge and ability in the arts. When they appreciate your art it always feels like a big compliment. At least that's the way it felt to me.
On his love for ABBA...
ABBA are huge for me and I take a lot of flak for that. A lot of people don't seem to take them very seriously. But I think if you're in music, even from a technical standpoint, you have to take them seriously because they were masters of their craft. The harmonies, the arrangements, I really connected with the melancholy and longing in their music which belies the whole pop exterior that people use as a reason not to like them.
On the demise of the Czars
I felt like a failure. I always blamed the failure of the Czars on myself as I was so terrified of being on stage. I was afraid I couldn't connect to people, I was afraid of my own shadow. I used that to beat myself up, telling myself 'you didn't succeed in the music business because you're not good enough.
On facing his addictions..
I didn't take AA seriously for a long time, but then I ended up in the emergency room a few times with heart stuff going on from cocaine abuse. I got a few STDs but luckily they were the kind that you could take penicillin and make them go away. But I just thought 'What are you doing? This is ridiculous. You've got to face yourself or you're going to die.
Listen to the full interview here.
John's Back to Mine Music Choices.
Cabaret Voltaire 'Doom Zoom'
John said 'I feel like it was decades ahead of it's time. It's got this amazing beat, the only problem is that it doesn't sound so good. I wish they'd remaster it. There's a sax solo in it and if you're one of those sax haters out there it might bring you back into the fold.
Chris & Cosey - Arcade
John said 'Chris & Cosey came from the band Throbbing Gristle and they went off on their own in the 80's and made this beautiful electronic music that I've been listening to ever since I got my hands on it back then. I was into playing video games then and Chris & Cosey's sounds reminded me of video games, analogue synths. This track is from their album 'Exotica' and it sounds like a video game that's developing into more and more advanced levels as you go through the song. Some people might think it's a bit repetitive but I've never stopped listening to it.'
Yello - Sometimes (Dr Hirsch)
John said 'Another one of my favourite bands. They really inspired me in the 80's. There was a really crazy cinematic quality to their music that spoke to me with my classical training in piano - but they were doing it all with synths. Their album 'Stella' is one of my favourites and this song is on it, I've never stopped listening to it. It's the most amazing driving song if you're in a car with a great sound system.'
And one more we didn't have time to broadcast...
Jimmy Scott -Sycamore Trees
John said 'He's got the most amazing voice and it's from the 'Twin Peaks : Fire Walk with Me' soundtrack. It's just a stunning track'.
Back to Mine on the Tom Dunne Show - Tuesdays from 10pm
