Christ. aka Chris Horne

From an early age christ. has been a musician. His supposed collaborations in his formative years at school and early 20s are well documented, suffice to say that at the current point in time, determining the original source of cross-pollinated styles is futile. Since his first solo release proper in 2002, he has proved to be as individual and creative as the next guy, forging a unique path of musical beauty that escapes derivation. Can much more be said? What's the point. Christ.'s expert layers of melody, broken beats and textures say pretty much everything, and along with his popularity as a formidable live act, he is a rare breed indeed. (myspace)

Been a fan of Christ for quite some time now, the music always compelling the slight shifts intriguing, the little nuances I take notice. I run out of words on how I would describe Christ. It's electronic music with a heart, it makes me feel warm and cozy every time I listen. Never cold. I feel so fortunate that one of my heroes Chris Horne took time out to answer a few questions from the Room.

Room: Christ. is such an interesting moniker, how did this come about?

Christ: i think it's pretty well documented... quite simply, my mates when i was a teenager used to call me christ. it stuck, and the potential of the name really appealed to me. that's it.

Room: When did you first start writing music?

Christ: writing my own stuff pretty much began to develop about aged 8. previous to that i had figured out a really primitive way of multi tracking using tape recorders, and had spent a couple of years trying to put together versions of stuff my dad listened to. i still have copies of one or two of those early recordings.

Room: Who were your main influences that made Christ. what it is today? Hauntingly beautiful.

Christ: difficult question to answer, that one..em..i listened to a lot of the more melodic end of the eighties synthpop stuff... heaven 17, depeche mode, yazoo, human league and that kind of thing, and i think that played a big part.. i'm a sucker for a big melody played on an analogue synth. later influences probably included acts like nitzer ebb, meat beat manifesto, cocteau twins, the orb. other than that, i tend on the whole to be kind of self perpetuating.. one idea feeds another, so to speak. i couldn't point a finger at a single act and have a eureka moment regarding where it all comes from. i dunno. life really.

Room: Kindly name a few artists that you find interesting and that I should check out?

Christ: new or old? i've been getting all misty eyed and nostalgic recently over the new la roux album... such a pure journey into the past. i have a huge amount of time for just about everything that elbow have ever recorded. i love stevie wonder, prince and the beatles. in terms of more modern esoteric stuff, i've been getting right into the new kelpe album, and i played recently alongside felix kubin, who is both hugely talented and extremely creative. i need to track down some of his stuff.

Room: Thank you Chris! Should you have any messages to the readers?

Christ: thanks for listening, i guess. we've got a few live dates coming up in the uk and europe, so if you're interested, keep an eye on the christ. myspace. as regards future records, i'm currently recording, and chatting with one or two labels, so i'm not quite sure where i'll rear my rather ugly head next.

For more information about Christ.
http://www.myspace.com/christ.music
Support Christ.