23.06.09

Sinnead O’Connor, the legendary Irish singer, will perform on the 3rd of July at the Sava Center within the traditional Summertime Festival. In an exclusive interview for “Blic”, Sinnead talks about the forthcoming concert, fight against manic depression, motherhood, music and religion.

Do you know anything about Serbia and Serbian music? 
“Unfortunately, I don’t know absolutely anything.” 
What repertoire have you prepared for the audience at the Sava Center on the 3rd of July? 
“It will be more of an acoustic concert, since I am going to perform with only one guitarist and a pianist. We have made a selection of songs from various albums which we are going to present to the audience.” 
Your albums “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” and “Not.com.2U” have gained immense popularity. Why didn’t you repeat the same success later? 
“The song “Nothing Compares To You” is the reason in some way. It has always been considered as a pop song, but it is quite unusual, since I don’t create pop music.” 
In a TV show in 1992, you tore the Pope’s photograph. How has it affected your career? 
“I think it has had an influence on my career for sure, because I was not happy with the status of a pop star, since I had never wanted to become a pop star. However, now I have an excellent career which helps me live decently. I have nothing to complain about and I don’t regret anything.” 
You suffer a bipolar disorder or manic depression. How do you fight against it and does it affect your career in any way? 
“I regularly take the prescribed therapy, since it would be difficult to function without medications. This disorder has the greatest effect on my private life, because I constantly worry about the most stupid and insignificant things. It has no effect on my professional life. It even helps when it comes to song writing.” 
You have collaborated with Peter Gabriel, “Massive Attack”, U2, Moby, Ian Brown… Who would you like to work with in future? 
“I don’t know who will be the next colleague, but I would like to collaborate with the famous rapper Dr. Dre, it would be interesting to see what kind of music we would create.” 
Your album “Theology” is inspired by the Bible, although you have a controversial relation to religion… 
“God and religion are not related at all, since God started existing much before religion and will exist for good. In my opinion, relation between you and God can never be controversial. I am very interested in exploring different religions.” 
What are you doing at the moment? 
“I am currently working on a new album, but it is still too early to say what it is going to be like. Inspiration for it is simply- life.” 
What is your opinion about contemporary music scene? 
“There are lots of excellent female performers nowadays, such as Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, who is a brilliant songwriter, Katy Perry, Rihanna… I am glad that there are lots of girls on music scene, since it used to be very boring before.” 
What kind of music do you listen to? 
“I like listening to Gregorian chorals, because that music relaxes me.” 
What is your message to Serbian fans? 
“I would like to greet them and I hope they’ll enjoy the concert.”