Why return to the BLACK persona?

"It tastes better"

Is your move to Ireland the inspiration for the song and title of your new CD "Between Two Churches"?

"Yes. Like the saying goes; wherever you go, there you are!"

Will there be a video for any of the singles from Between Two Churches?

"Maybe. Depends. They cost so much and I doubt if I’ll release any singles as such (not interested in being in the singles chart)."

Do you see any value in videos or are they just for promotion?

"We all know how effective sound and vision can be together. Pity most videos seem to be pursuing some other agenda!"

Are making videos something you enjoy taking part in?

"Mostly they are extremely tedious (because of the above) but once or twice we got stuck into something much more interesting (that the sound and vision together can be MORE than they are apart)."

It is good to see the return of a “b-side” with your newest single, can we expect anymore?

"Like I said probably no more singles. But I DO constantly record things that DON’T fit with the general direction a project is moving in and they are no less valid for being “offcuts”. I’m currently finalising plans for an artist type studio to work in and shall be generating a LOT of different types of work in the near future. The website seems most obvious place to showcase new work, whether free or “pay per” or whatever. Still dreaming it all up. Watch the space.......?"

You have a talent for mixing melancholic lyrics with upbeat rhythms and visa versa. It almost seems like you are hiding the intent of the song to those who are not really paying attention. Do you think this is just an extension of yourself or a concerted effort to blend the two and have them play off each other?

"It’s both (and sometimes ,to be honest,it’s just the way it comes out!). Who could stand a world that was always only exactly as it appeared?"

There has always been a brooding representation of Black, are you really just a happy guy on the inside?

"Who is only as they appear when we have an infinity of choices available? We are all different day by day."

Do you see a full line up of instruments in any future Black performances or are you more comfortable with the acoustic gigs you have been giving.

"I see it ALL (if I wanted to be comfortable I wouldn’t do gigs at all!), I get bored easily and sometimes I don’t have the cash or power in the marketplace to do it as I might. Not necessarily a bad thing."

Do you see a difference between the songs that you release as Black and Colin Vearncombe? It would be hard to imagine “Smoke Up Close” presented as a Black recording even though it technically is. Do these two personas occupy two separate areas in your life or is it more a reaction to the expectations of others.

"At the time I needed to go naked in front of the world. SUC HAD to be a CV record, Water On Snow didn’t"

One of my favorite songs of yours is "Child's Play", even more now that I am expecting my first child soon. How has children affected your songwriting and outlook on life?

"Your children are your least expected (or wanted) teachers!Listen to the way you are when it doesn’t seem to be working and you will hear what is missing from your own way of being!Being a father often leaves me floundering in the shallows of inarticulacy.........and I thought I had something to say about EVERYTHING!!!!"

What do you see in your future? Will you continue to record as Black or will both of you have an equal amount of time in the sun?

"The ambiguity of the name “Black” gives me valuable freedom as a singer/songwriter (as the pendulum of fashion swings I hear things like;”oh,we’ve had enough singer/writers for the moment..!” like THAT defined what it was was being discussed. AS I contemplate a different future of painting/drawing/books etc as well as songs perhaps Black wouldn’t work so well (or poorly?)"

Photos: John Warwicker