Interview with IAMX – Part 3/4

“I could never say I regret taking these drugs.” (Chris Corner)

In the first two parts, we spoke to Chris Corner about the new album “Fault Lines²”, animal soul balm, vacation as illusion, parallel worlds, light reflections, desert life, idols at eye level and the fall of masks. We now continue the conversation with IAMX.

False friends?

Orkus: You say you’ve had experience with drugs. Which drug do you see as a friend and which as an enemy – and why?
Chris Corner: Red wine, cocaine, MDMA, sometimes ketamine. Those were my friends for a while. I’ve weaned off the class A drugs, but depending on my mood, red wine keeps coming in and out of my life. The last year has been pretty intense emotionally, and I’ve indulged more than was probably healthy, though in truth self-medicating is sometimes necessary. Right now, I’m “straight edge” again. I could never say that I regret taking those drugs. These journeys were necessary, and opening the mind in this way can sometimes be crucial for neurodiverse people. Vices have shaped my character. I know what I want and what I don’t want, and what works and what doesn’t.

O: Is IAMX always a blessing for you or sometimes a curse?
CC: I would say 70% blessing. The curse is dealing with the practical side of business life, crazy traveling and hard transitions. Adrenaline and missing my animals when I’m on tour. The rest is joy and connection, lots of dopamine and love and sometimes “kink”.

Self-discovery?

O: The ideas for “Fault Lines¹” came about before “Machinate”. Was it the same for the second part?
CC: Yes. “Fault Lines” really describes an extremely important time of self-discovery. All albums do that, but these two albums feel brutally real. How do I fit into the world? How do I love? What is my true purpose? Do I love myself enough? Am my needs being met? It delves deeper than ever before. It’s about details – the tiny interactions in love, the psychology of desire, aging, the power of mortality, living through the full chaos of life without losing your mind. These are transitional albums with a therapeutic effect. Public catharsis.

A refuge for enchanting eccentrics

O: Mental health plays an important role in your lyrics. But it’s also important to you that your fans get help when they need it. Your fanbase has become a strong community that is there for each other. In the song “Neurosymphony”, you also reach out to others who are struggling with mental health issues. Would you like to give something back to this community?
CC: Absolutely. It has become part of my destiny and my duty. Art is communal. It helps us process the world when language, science and religion fail us. My fans are incredibly unique, loyal, conscientious, warm, fierce and immensely supportive. I want to provide a place of sanctuary and safety, an alternative way of life to normal society. I live physically and mentally outside of society. I’ve never fit in and never will, and if my music can make or encourage others to find themselves, accept and love themselves as beautiful freaks and realize that the world isn’t just completely fucked up, selfish and falling apart. There are like-minded people out there who will love and accept them. I am one of those people, and I want to be there for as many of them as possible.

Interview: Nadine Kloppert

In the fourth and final part, we talk to Chris Corner about metamorphosis, collaborations, self-love and creative explosions.

Missed the other parts? No problem:
Click here for part 1
Click here for part 2

Check out the clip for “The Ocean” ft. Hafdis Huld (which we’ll talk about next time) here:

Experience IAMX live:
April 25, 2025 SE-Gothenburg, Monument
April 26, 2025 SE-Stockholm, Kollektivet Livet
April 28, 2025 UK-Manchester, Academy3
April 29, 2025 UK-London, Electric Ballroom
May 01, 2025 DE-Munich, Ampere
May 02, 2025 DE-Oberhausen, Kulttempel
May 03, 2025 NL-Utrecht, De Helling
May 05, 2025 PL-Kraków, Kwadrat
May 06, 2025 PL-Warsaw, Progresja
May 09, 2025 DE-Berlin, Columbia Theater
May 10, 2025 DE-Hamburg, Markthalle
May 12, 2025 CZ-Prague, Lucerna
May 14, 2025 AT-Graz, PPC
May 16, 2025 AT-Vienna, SIMM City
May 17, 2025 CH-St. Gallen, Grabenhalle
May 18, 2025 DE-Frankfurt, Das Bett
May 20, 2025 BE-Brussels, Ancienne Belgique
May 21, 2025 FR-Paris, Trabendo
May 23, 2025 ES-Barcelona, Apolo 2
May 24, 2025 ES-Madrid, Sala Mon

Do you already have your tickets?

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