Music-News:
Hi Charlie, thanks for taking time out for this interview. Ok, let’s start.
I’m quoting two lines from two of your songs now. The first is 'They laugh at me and my life' (My Life As A Duck). Sarcasm or frustration?

Charlie Winston:
I like that question. It’s cool. The thing is that I’m not a follower of any fashion. I don’t really care how fashion is changing. It’s also fickle, especially in this country. At the same time it’s ok, because it likes to reinvent itself, particularly in music and art. For example, because I’m not a follower of fashion, I never fitted in musically either (my song Boxes is all about that) and I’d hate putting myself into a box in order to be accepted. So yeah, 'They laugh at me,' is in a way the essence of that, but it’s also about me being this clown sometimes, almost a childlike clown. At the same time I like to educate myself, you know, contemplate, taking things more seriously. Mixing those two things together, well, it took me a long time to find the balance as an artist – getting those two feelings across within myself.

MN:
I see. The second line is 'Now’s my chance here in France' (Tongue Tied). Why is your chance in France?

CW:
Well, it’s a language thing but it’s also about my own mind travelling and saying now’s my chance to give it a go. It could just as well be in Germany or any other place. In fact, I recently went onto a German program called 'TV Central’ and my music is on the up there now as well. I think the important thing for me is not to judge anything to soon.

MN:
Ok, but do you think that one of the reasons why you are so successful in France is because it’s the home of brilliantly crafted chansons in the tradition of Piaf and Brel?

CW:
Oh, I certainly would agree with that. Also, another wonderful thing about the French is that they simply have a lot of respect for artists – especially artists who haven’t fully developed yet like mature artists, you know. I’m taking my time to mature and develop. For example, when I’m interviewed in France on TV or so, I don’t talk rubbish you know. I’ve done so many different things, I’ve been involved in theatre and dancing and stuff, and I don’t have just one story to tell but many stories.

MN:
How do you go about your songwriting?

CW:
I love to work from observations, but it’s also observations of myself. I’ve always seen my life as a movie. I just happen to be one of the actors in that movie.

MN:
Is the movie in b/w or in color?

CW:
It changes. It always depends on what’s happening.

MN:
What are your most important artistic influences?

CW:
I’d say Tom Waits is very much up there. Leonard Cohen, Jacques Brel, Nina Simone, Charlie Chaplin. I have an interest in world music also. I mean, I try to keep an interest in everything. It’s like with food. I think it’s possible to enjoy any kind of food. You might not like it the first time 'round, but try it every now and then to see if the tastebuds have changed. It’s the same with music.

MN:
How many instruments do you play?

CW:
I play guitar, piano, bass, percussion and I sing.

MN:
Where is your journey taking you next, what are your plans?

CW:
Tomorrow I’m going back to Paris. The day after I’m flying to Barcelona to do my fourth music video with actress Audrey Tautou for the current album. She’s agreed to do it for practically nothing. She loves my music and I really like her work. She’s never done a music video before, so she wants to do it. It’s going to be a Fellini-style video.

MN:
What expectations, if any, do you have from tonight’s gig?

CW:
Oh, I just sweat (laughs). Well, I don’t have any specific expectations from it but of course, I hope the audience is going to have a great time.

MN:
Well, I think that’s a wrap. Many thanks again for your time and best of luck with your projects.

CW:
Thank you. I really enjoyed the interview.