This page collects some of the best interviews and features which have a bearing on Chris Cornell's life and career post-Audioslave. For material from other times in his career, see these links.
August 2008
You can download a podcast of Chris Cornell's Scream listening party at the Star Lounge at KYSR Star 98.7 in Los Angeles from this page. Chris debuts five new songs from forthcoming album. As well as giving some insight into the songs, he talks about how Justin Timberlake came to guest on the album and recalls how Timmy C of Audioslave was an unlikely fan. On the same page, there's also a download link to a short interview with Josh of 98.7. A rather hoarse Chris talks about meeting J.R. from Dallas, playing at a NASCAR race meeting and how "really ambitious musical piece" Scream came to be.
In four-part video, here's Chris's interview with JoJo Wright of KIIS FM. One Two Three Four . If you want a shorter radio edit (which in many ways makes more sense...) you can listen to it here. Timbaland joins the conversation by phone and mentions Sept 23 as the release date for the album "right now", although he admits "anything is possible". Chris tells an amusing story about an old photo which accidentally displayed the crown jewels, and grosses out all non-parents in his audience by sharing a remarkably sweet baby-vomit anecdote.
Chris is briefly joined (via phone link from Miami) by Timbaland for an interview with Johnjay and Rich of 104.7 KISS FM in Phoenix, Arizona - download from this page. He talks about Johnny Cash, why men should be gentlemen, his Greek wedding in Paris, how his family make it possible for him to tour, the songs he wishes he'd written and why he burns the ones he rejects - and how his new writing collaboration with Timbaland worked in the studio.
Here's a good-natured video interview from Atlanta radio station Rock 100.5. Chris says his son is shaping up to be a drummer, explains what he likes about the way Timbaland makes music and recallshow alternative rock began to have "rules".
July 2008
A five-part in-depth interview plus streaming audio of five tracks is up at Planet Radio. Chris explains the thinking behind this unique collaboration with Timbland, and talks in more depth about each of the songs.
"this is what my solo career will be...me doing things that people probably won't expect": here's an interview with Foster from radio station 96rockWBBB the day before the Raleigh show. Chris looks back through his career and his various collaborations and describes "Scream" as "the least pop album that [Timbaland] has ever made". You can also watch video footage of the interview.
"there's so much with music I want to experiment with..." Terrie Carr of New Jersey's GRock interviews Chris about his artistic restlessness in audio or five-part video..... one two three four five
"I just want to have fun with music" : Chris also gave an interview to New York's RXP101.9, playing tracks from Scream and chatting to Matt Pinfield about the music. You can listen to a podcast of the interview and hear brief extracts from the songs here. The interview is also summarised in an MTV.com feature.
"ready for a quantum leap": Chris's interview with Philly radio station WMMR has been posted online here (right click, save as). Chris felt the album was an opportunity for growth both for him and for fans, and said that his main fear as a musician was "finding a comfortable corner and sitting in it."
"for me, it's kind of ideal": Chris talks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about mixing it up with Projekt Revolution and compares it to the old days with Lollapalooza.
There's an interview with Ian Camfield of New York radio station KROCK available to listen to online (thanks Nina). Chris talks on the phone from Boston where he's preparing for the start of the Projekt Revolution tour. He chats about how his new album with Timbland came to be, how the album turned out and how the songs are adapting to being played live.
June 2008
Here's some recently surfaced footage of the MyCoke Fest press conference in South Africa back in March - Chris answers questions about his solo career, recording plans, vocal influences and how it felt to be in at the very beginning of what the world called "grunge".
May 2008
projekt revolution: DC101 has a recent radio interview with Chris and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park up on its website to stream or download. Chris explains (again) why Soundgarden currently have no interest in reuniting, reminisces about working with Rick Rubin and talks about the forthcoming tour.
April 2008
faves and raves of chris cornell: a little Q&A with Chris from an Associated Press writer.
"i would expect that judges would be a little less ignorant": a brief piece on the American Idol affair from People magazine, with quotes from Chris.
where in the hell is chris cornell? An old but interesting interview from November last year when Chris was in Aspen for a show.
March 2008
cornell chats 'idol'/'billie jean' performance: from Billboard, and exactly what it says on the tin.
chris cornell is coming to Israel!!! Interview from the Israeli press in advance of Chris's visit to Tel Aviv on June 17. Chris talks about maintaining his voice, the AI affair and being proud of his long-term survival. With English translation (thanks Yakir)
chris cornell defends "idol" contender david cook: here's a Q&A with Chris Cornell from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider about David Cook performing Chris's version of Billie Jean on American Idol.
this is the most excited i've been about an album in years: here's an audio interview with Chris Cornell and his new producer Timbaland from Ryan Seacrest's radio show on KIIS-FM. Chris and Timbaland talk about the new album due out later this year, and Chris also talks about this week's American Idol. For streaming or download.
what if god was one of us? Nice title, but perhaps one of the silliest features we've seen for a while - based on the writer's belief that "Gods of Rock aren't supposed to be sensible dads". There's not much about the music, but Chris does manage to mention his love of Prince. From South Africa's Tonight in advance of Chris's trip there later this month.
Just posted online is a short but very interesting video interview with Chris from his trip to Mexico in December. A local TV station asks about Chris's attitude to indie music, young bands and the indie scene today.
jason sutter: on the eve of the 2008 world tour, Drummer's Digest have published their interview with Chris's drummer from last year's visit to Scandinavia. In Swedish, with pictures. If you can translate this into good English, let me know!
February 2008
i'm as happy as hell right where I am: drummer Jason Sutter talks to the UK's TrashPit magazine about his background, ambitions and being on the road with Chris.
meet the grammy nominee: Chris talks to the Palm Beach Post about how it feels to get a second solo nomination - and why he'd rather write songs for movies than act in them.
January 2008
Here's a technical interview (pdf file) with guitarist Yogi which appeared in the UK's Guitar Buyer magazine recently. As well the the usual stuff about guitars, amps and effects, he chats about his audition for the band, his love of meditation, his teaching duties at the Guitar Institute in LA and Chris's own unorthodox guitar technique.
December 2007
Here's a video interview Chris gave while he was on tour in Chile recently. Covering the usual subjects - James Bond, Billlie Jean, how it feels to be solo - Chris also explains how Audioslave first bonded as a band in the face of criticism from those who chose to believe that they were a "convenient corporate moneymaking thing". In English with Spanish subtitles.
"É importante poder tocar para os meus fãs onde eles estiverem": Chris tells the Sao Paulo press why he travels and what he regrets from the past...like Ultramega OK. With English translation (thanks again Karen!)
chris cornell no brasil: a brief interview with Chris which appeared in the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone. With English translation (thanks again Karen!)
sou um sobrevivente do grunge: a Portuguese-language interview in Brazil's Globo.com. Chris explains why he can't be bothered to cook for himself - and why grunge was something he had to survive. With English translation (thanks Karen!)
era difícil ser tan popular: in this Spanish-language piece, Chris looks back and explains why making music is more important than just being a rock star. Even if the Argentinian press think he's become a "casino crooner"...
November 2007
chris cornell looks foward with music industry: Chris talks about his recording plans and why "anything is possible".
seattle rocker bringing diversity to belly up: in advance of his gig at the oddly-named Aspen venue, we learn why Tim Commerford couldn't work out where Cornell's "home base" was, how songs can move house and why Soundgarden was like "writing songs for a play".
slave to the sound: Tulsa World's reporter gets on the phone and finds Chris in cheerful mood.
cornell explores his music as a solo act: Chris tells the Des Moines Register how Audioslave ran its course and why he still feels like a student of music.
carrying on, solo: the Columbus Dispatch talks to Chris about his soul influences and why he's bored of the band dynamic.
musician's voice: this audio interview (downloadable from this location) with Mark Uricheck concentrates on the making of Carry On from a musician's viewpoint.
man behind the music: in this frank Q&A with New York's PostStar, Chris talks about escaping death, the way men compete and cooperate, and why he wants to be a good example.
now solo, cornell relishes freedom: in this interview from Cleveland's Vindicator, Chris talks in depth about his cover of Billie Jean and explains why "I can do whatever I want whenever I feel like it without having to have a meeting about it".
a vocal force: Chris talks to the Cleveland Free Times about why there's currently zero chance of a Soundgarden reunion.
solo effort suits nicely: this South Carolina interview concentrates on the voice, the songwriting - and Ernest Hemingway.
through the past, darkly: Chris talks to the Florida press about the environment, the make-up of his live set and working - or not working - with producers.
October 2007
"I actually sing a lot better live than I did before": Chris tells Melbourne's Beat how he's adapted his vocal technique, talks about touring Australia with Linkin Park and hints at what we might hear on his next album.
an american in paris: that Gene Kelly reference is going to run and run. In this 6-page feature for a lifestyle/design mag, Chris talks about his Paris apartment and what makes it "shockingly beautiful" - and introduces us to his favourite corners of the city (thanks Rhonda)
backstage with chris cornell: Seattle journalist Gene Stout gets to hang out with Chris and his family before the hometown show.
September 2007
vicky has the last word: here's a fun interview - with a gallery of lovely photos - with both Chris and his wife Vicky, dating from Chris's recent show in Istanbul. In the original Turkish and an English translation.
finding his own voice: here's my own interview with guitarist Yogi, before the show at the Birmingham Academy, 4 September 2007.
Here's an unusual mini-interview with Chris from Rolling Stone. Instead of music, he's talking about his passion for wakeboarding. (thanks Tina)
August 2007
daddy rocks: from popular Finnish weekly magazine Seura, here's an English version of an interview with Chris about touring, recording and parenthood (thanks Eriica for the translation!)
chris cornell goes it alone: journalist Len Righi talks to Chris about how it feels to get plaudits from other artists and asks whether he sold out by playing for Wal-Mart.
July 2007
you know his name: Chris explains to cheappop.com why he won't ever be in a band again...and why he might be open to playing a movie pirate!
he doesn't live here any more: part 2 of my interview with Chris, this time at the Glasgow Academy. Chris talks about jealousy, paranoia and change. Here's a Portuguese version, translated by Lady for Chris Cornell Brasil.
another side of chris cornell: a somewhat saturnine Chris reads the mind of journalist Evan Rytlewski - and explains why he's been "battling the whole genre issue" his whole career.
chris cornell carries on: full of "contagious energy", Chris talks to Philadelphia writer Michael Christopher about the future of the music business and his own part in it.
chris almighty: Ireland's Hot Press talks to Chris about being recognised by old ladies in airports, his friendship with Jeff Buckley and why Carry On feels like a first record.
after years with bands, cornell finds liberation going solo, concludes Doug Pullen of Michigan's Flint Journal. Chris recalls what he didn't like about his work in Soundgarden and Audioslave as well as why he's better on his own.
chris cornell is a long way from grunge - short interview with the Toronto Star done a while back but published ahead of his show in the city.
chris cornell is free at last: Chris talks to Denver's Westword about how happy he is not to be doing the democratic band thing any more. Two versions... feature and full transcript.
On the eve of his appearance at the Live Earth benefit in Hamburg, Chris talks about raising awareness of environmental issues - and how he's doing "the one thing I know how to do that people are going to bother to check out, and try to help push that button of awareness."
Another excellent interview from this period which touches on green issues is scanned here, from a Greek magazine. With an English translation.
June 2007
forging ahead: Chris talks to....well, me, just before his sellout show at London's Astoria recently. This is one of two completely different published edits of the interview, just published in print in New Zealand's Herald On Sunday. Here's the other, published in UK webzine Subba-Cultcha. Go here for the full unedited version, exclusive to this site....and finally, here it is translated into Portuguese by Lady for Chris Cornell Brasil and into Russian by Nickson of the Chris Cornell Russian Fan Club.
Greek newspaper Kathimerini talks to Chris on the eve of his Athens show supporting Robert Plant, and concludes he's looking for greater substance and less pressure.
i'm having the time of my life: Chris talks to Joe Baldwin in Baltimore's Undisputed Music about why he's having such a good time as a solo artist.
an american in paris: Chris talks to Mojo's Phil Alexander about metropolitan living, punk rock guilt and why songwriting can make you feel like shooting yourself.
"it felt like waking up": Chris talks to Tim Den of Transform Online about solohood, sobriety, and the similarities between Carry On and Euphoria Morning.
three questions: Chris talks to Salon's David Marchese about why he left Audioslave and where he fits in to today's musical landscape.
the making of carry on: I chat to Steve Lillywhite about his work on the album in a very special exclusive for this site.
inside the album: Chris talks to Stuff Magazine about orphans, epitaphs and Audioslave's meat loaf.
with a new sound and a new life, chris cornell is still a star: the Boston Globe lets Chris, drummer Jason and producer Steve Lillywhite tell it like it is.
voice of regeneration: Chris talks to the Edmonton Sun about reinvention, the chances of reforming Soundgarden, and the "nice English gay couple who raised me".
May 2007
carry on regardless: the "gravel-throated elder statesman of rock" talks to Kerrang the day after his show at the Astoria, London about the aftermath of Audioslave, why he's never completely ruled out a Soundgarden reunion, and why he wants Peter, Yogi, Corey and Jason to become part of his identity.
Here's a TV interview filmed for satellite channel Rockworld in London. Chris runs through his career, talks about Carry On and sets the interviewer straight on a strange rumour about Soundgarden and The Simpsons.
"i'm just really happy to be on my own": Chris tells Canada's ChartAttack the real story behind the Audioslave split, and why he chose to cover Billie Jean.
chris cornell, grunge icon: Chris tells Britain's Q magazine what he's reading, watching and hearing - and why reality tv shows make him run from the house.
i just want to be a solo artist: Chris tells Ultimate Guitar.com the real story behind the breakup of Audioslave, and why he'd rather stick to a solo career from now on.
April 2007
chris cornell discusses songwriting and recording new record: Gearwire.com finds out about Chris's preferences for songwriting, recording and demoing songs.
reasoning the need: in British poetry magazine Libertine, Clare O'Brien (that's me, folks...) looks at an unexpected kinship between the lyrics of Chris Cornell and the work of the 17th century metaphysical poets.
i'm best in my own world': Chris talks to MTV's Chris Harris about his new band, his solo album and tour and the video for Arms Around Your Love.
podcasting in philly: Chris chats companionably - and downloadably - to 941 Free FM in Philadelphia about what freaks him out at meet & greets, why he was terrified of Johnny Cash, his recent bike accident, his respect for Tom Morello, his own experience of Billie Jean-style paternity suits, his continued optimism about the musical underground and how his sister used to call him "applehead".
happy to carry on: Chris explains to the Toronto Sun why he "just wanted to get out and play", why he's celebrating his past as well as his future and how things have changed for musicians on the road.
chris cornell not daunted by return to solo career: a short interview for Toronto's City News about luck, Friday 13th, and why sales don't really matter.
carrying on: a on-tour interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Chris talks about learning to live for today and his need for artistic freedom.
in exile: an exclusive and revealing interview with bi-monthly New Zealand music magazine Rip It Up - given the day after Audioslave ended. Chris talks about the relationships within the band, his plans for the future - and why playing live is more important than selling a ton of records.
March 2007
chris speaks: a radio interview which Chris gave to WMMR on 14 March is available to download as an mp3 from this link (right click, save as). He talks about carry on and the "extensive" tour he'll be doing, how he came to be doing a Michael Jackson cover, and gives some insight into the breakup of Audioslave.
November 2006
chris cornell tackles gospel — and michael jackson? — on solo lp: Chris talks to MTV's Chris Harris about how his solo album is shaping up in the studio.
outshined: Chris talks to The Wave's Tom Lanham about attending the Casino Royale premiere, meeting the Queen, and why George Bush is a sociopath.
an interview with chris cornell by Alex Robertson of Virgin Media: Chris explains why doing the James Bond theme for Casino Royale was "no gamble at all", why the producers wanted something "unapologetically male", and why Thom Yorke should do the next one.
October 2006
free man in paris from Blender: not long before Audioslave's breakup, that excellent journalist Jonathan Gold gets Chris talking about food. His past as a teenage kitchen rat, his experience of anorexia - but most of all, his new parallel career as a succcessful Paris restaurateur.
© Clare O'Brien 2007
