Subject Is Five, the solo project of Dublin-based electronic artist Cian Roche, have released his debut album, Notes From A Decaying Orbit. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I grew up in West Cork. I’m really into photography. My introduction to music was learning the cello as a young fella.
How would you describe your music?
As the soundtrack to an imaginary 70s sci-fi film.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I get a lot of inspiration from visual art and take any opportunity to wander around the Tate Modern in London. I love Babel, the giant tower of radios tuned to different stations by Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles, and the photographs/collages of Andreas Gursky. Also, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room: A Wish for Human Happiness Calling From Beyond The Universe at the Guggenheim Bilbao. As a fan of hard sci-fi, I’m eagerly awaiting the third and final instalment of Peter Watts’ Firefall saga. Music wise, I can remember where I was the first time I heard My Bloody Valentine, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada – not all on the one day, of course. And analogue synths bring me much joy.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I think it was U2 at Páirc Uà Chaoimh in 1987.
What was the first record you ever bought?
It was a single, and I was very young – Rock This Town by Stray Cats.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Playing Stairs by Tomasz Bednarczyk. Or Beth Gibbons and her band’s mesmerising performance of Floating On A Moment for a BBC6 Music live session last year. I’ve watched it online countless times.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Same as it ever was – Talking Heads’ Once In A Lifetime. Or anything sung by Liz Fraser.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Organ2/ASLSP (As Slow As Possible) by John Cage. The piece is currently playing on a specially built organ. It began in 2001 and is set to finish in the year 2640.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Alan Corr