Bizarre Magazine Interview (December 2009)

This time of year if you’re in our hemisphere is about the re-birth of light. But light means knowledge, light means consciousness. Everybody can attain that and have that in their life. Consider the idea that it’s inner God. It’s in every child that’s born; every child carries this ability within them. And I like that sentiment.

In the lull between the European and Australian legs of the Sinful Attraction tour, Eleanor Goodman interviewed Tori for Bizarre Magazine and the article was published in their December issue and also made available on their website today. While somewhat outside the Bizarre’s usual fare, the piece is still a good one with some new tidbits about Midwinter Graces. Additionally, Tori also discussed her continuing friendship with Neil Gaiman, her thoughts on Amanda Palmer, the possibility of working with Kate Bush and the latest on The Light Princess.

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Polari Interview (December 7, 2009)

Doug Morris and I talked about making them not exclude people who don’t buy the Christian ideology hook, line and sinker. That was really the beginning, along with writing some originals. He talked to me about that, about the challenge of getting him to like them as well as someone like my mom, who is a Christian.

Polari Magazine’s Christopher Bryant spoke to Tori the morning after last week’s special concert at The Jazz Cafe and the interview was posted on their website today. In it, they discuss that performance, performing in general, The Light Princess and, in some more detail than other recent interviews, Midwinter Graces.

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Flavorwire Interview (November 25, 2009)

I would say [Midwinter Graces is] spiritual [not religious], because religion is a word that you and I go back to that usually doesn’t include the masses, but excludes people. If you don’t agree with it, then it judges you.

Between legs of the Sinful Attraction tour, Tori spoke to Flavorwire’s Doug Levy about Midwinter Graces and the interview was posted on their website today. In addition to discussing the origins of the just-released seasonal album, their conversation also includes an update on The Light Princess project and a miniature portrait of holidays with the Amoses — hint: it’s not quite Rockwellian!

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Innerviews Interview (November 19, 2009)

The rebirth of light isn’t exclusive to Christianity. Jesus was a metaphor for that, but there were other solar deities before Jesus that were honored at this time of year by our ancestors. So, I felt as a minister’s daughter that I could walk a very delicate balance in which I could open up the circle to all of those who might not want to embrace Christianity, but who have a spiritual feeling about the time.

Anil Prasad interviewed Tori for his long-running online music magazine Innerviews and the conversation, which centers on the just-released Midwinter Graces, is now up on their website.

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Advocate Interview (November 10, 2009)

You build these places that have many rooms that interconnect, and as a composer, I began to see, OK, I’ve been building planets, then you build solar systems, and then you want to build a galaxy. And it has to interweave with each other. That’s what a double album is, it’s building a sonic galaxy, and if you don’t appreciate that form, then there’s no way you can analyze what it is.

Earlier this year, Matthew Breen spoke to Tori on behalf of The Advocate. While the focus was ostensibly the current tour and Abnormally Attracted to Sin, the album it was supporting, Midwinter Graces was also a topic of conversation. In the first part of this feature, posted on the day of the seasonal record’s release, they discuss Midwinter Graces, The Light Princess, composition, double albums and the music industry. The second part will be posted next week.

Thanks to fourseraphs for the link!

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Sydney Morning Herald Interview (November 13, 2009)

I do think some people excel at making happy little catchy tunes and then there are writers that are strong when they’re going after multi-levelled subjects and subjects that are hard to talk about – and that’s kind of where I’m most comfortable, in talking about the uncomfortable.

Tori was interviewed for the Sydney Morning Herald by Dan Kaufman. They primarily discussed Abnormally Attracted to Sin: its themes and inspirations with a nod to song-writing in general.

Thanks to orfeo and Shane for catching this one!

This interview was also reprinted on Stuff.co.nz.

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New York Magazine Interview (November 11, 2009)

Of all the music that my dad turned me on to, the Christmas carols are what I related to a lot more than any religious music that the Methodists were pushing.

This short interview regarding the genesis of Midwinter Graces appeared on New York Magazine’s culture blog Vulture on November 11th.

Thanks to Dina, Ingrid and Mark-Alexis for bringing it to our attention!

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Southern Star Interview (November 4, 2009)

[The media] want what I won’t give them, so I reject them on that front — and everybody gets seduced by rejection. I don’t mean for them to get seduced, because I wish they would get distracted and talk about something else.

Lest we forget in the Midwinter Graces release hub-bub, the Australian leg of the Sinful Attraction tour kicks off in Melbourne on Thursday. Promoting the tour, Tori spoke to Melbourne’s Southern Star, a weekly newspaper for the local gay and lesbian community, and the interview, which focuses on Abnormally Attracted to Sin and Tori’s relationship to the music industry and the public eye, was posted on their website on November 4th.

Thanks to onscarletswalk for the link!

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Between the Lines Interview (November 5, 2009)

There’s a side to the record when you listen to it that talks about what is the gold – what really is that? It’s valuing whom you have in your life, the relationships you’ve built. It’s not just about success – or it just isn’t all your material possessions anymore – it’s how you live your life, and that’s all included in the music.

Chris Azzopardi’s interview with Tori in which she talks at length about Midwinter Graces (which we had a teaser from last month) was published in the November 5th edition of “Between the Lines” and is now available online at PrideSource.

Thanks to Mark-Alexis Gabriel for the link!

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Scotsman Interview (October 31, 2009)

Our ancestors have been celebrating midwinter for thousands of years, whether Norse or Native American. The Christians just happen to hold the copyright on it now. We should all be able to enjoy the rebirth of the sun. And that’s s-u-n.

Chitra Ramaswamy spoke to Tori about Midwinter Graces for The Scotsman and the interview was published in the October 31st edition of that newspaper. Besides the upcoming seasonal record, they also discussed Tori’s relationship with Cornwall, her Cherokee roots and family.

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