=Talented performer Neneh Cherry returns to the scene with her first full album in 16 years, entitled Blank Project. At the Pitchfork Music Festival, Cherry proved she is no nostalgia act, focusing on the beats of the new music and ending with a slowed-down version of her classic "Buffalo Stance." This was only her second time performing in the United States in her whole career, making this show a real rarity.
Cherry has worked on many projects over the years, most recently in 2012 with The Thing on a free-jazz joint effort—something that came naturally to someone whose stepfather was jazz musician Don Cherry. Her talented family Cherry tree also includes Swedish painter mother Moki Cherry and half-brother musician Eagle-Eye Cherry.
These days, Cherry continues to keep it in the family with the new record, now working with husband Cameron McVey.
Windy City Times talked with Cherry after her concert at Pitchfork to hear more on her two-decade hiatus.
Windy City Times: Hi, Neneh. Is this your first time in Chicago?
Neneh Cherry: This is definitely my first time performing here. I came here eons ago for a press day and stayed at the Four Seasons. I don't think I left my room. I think I was doing 13 cities in 11 days—with a baby, of course!
So this feels like my first time here and I'm liking it. I have a lot of friends that live here.
WCT: Growing up in the artist community you must have tons of gay friends.
Neneh Cherry: The ones that are not gay are fag hags. [Laughs] My closest word partner, other than my husband, is Judy Blame, who is an amazing artist and stylist. He was art-directing and styling me; in fact, he made this necklace.
WCT: That is fabulous.
Neneh Cherry: He is from the creative club crowd. He started working with Boy George way back. He introduced me to Leigh Bowery, and John Maybury, who directed "Buffalo Stance." It is a whole family of people who became my family.
WCT: You contributed "I've Got You Under My Skin" for the Red Hot + Blue AIDS fund-raising album [released in 1990], giving back to the community.
Neneh Cherry: It was a really heavy time for us, meaning friends and family who were losing a lot of people at the time. Actually, the godfather of my kids—Ray Petri—had just passed. It was early on in London and he was one of the first really close people to me that died.
I think the project of Red Hot + Blue came at a time when we were all broken-hearted and scratching our heads. We were feeling very helpless. We were standing there not wanting to go to another funeral. That album was a way of doing something in a positive air. It was taking all of the sadness and the heartbreak that gives you fuel when you can start to use it. There was a lot of positive energy and people worked for free. Jean-Baptiste Mondino made the video. There was a lot of desperation involved.
WCT: Let's switch gears and talk about the new album, Blank Project. You and your husband, Cameron, made this project.
Neneh Cherry: Me and him—here we go again!
WCT: You have a grandchild right now.
Neneh Cherry: I do—a 10-year-old.
WCT: What is the experience of making an album and touring at this time in your life?
Neneh Cherry: And having my grandson watch me onstage? He goes, "You are so weird when you are onstage!" He calls me "mormor," which is a Swedish word for grandma: "You are so crazy, mormor."
I think there is something really essential in my partnership with Cameron. There is something that happens with the songwriting and the structure of what we do. It has been going on for such a long time. I can't always define what it is. It is the security but beyond that I think that because he knows me so well he pushes me into doing what I probably wouldn't be able to achieve on my own.
I think he has a very blunt way of looking at things. I'm not so good at looking at myself from the outside. I just sit inside and look out. I just do it and achieve. I try to open bits of myself that I think need opening up.
WCT: How did your fellow Swede singer Robyn wind up on "Out of the Black?"
Neneh Cherry: I met her very early on when she was 16. I've had some experience watching her grow up. When she put out her last album it made my heart jump. I felt so happy because she had made this amazing growth from being a very young pop star, being incredibly famous in Sweden and having success outside to growing into her own planet in a way that isn't always so easy. When you get into heavy success and being famous when you are young sometimes it sort of stunts you.
We had met and shared friends in Stockholm. She has always said how much "Buffalo Stance" and [the album] Raw Like Sushi meant to her when she was younger, which was an honor for me to hear.
WCT: How is your half-brother Eagle-Eye Cherry doing these days?
Neneh Cherry: My brother is great. He has a nearly 4-year-old daughter. He's just starting to make a new album in the next few months or so.
WCT: He's been working on soundtracks and all sorts of stuff I heard. When are you coming to our big gay street festival?
Neneh Cherry: When is it?
WCT: August, so possibly we can book you for next year.
Neneh Cherry: Please! I would love that.
