Dianna:
I like to avoid asking this, but I have to ask, where
did you get the name, The Bleach Works?
Christian
Burns: It's all good! I actually got the name from the location of my
studio, it's built on the grounds of an old bleach factory.
Dianna:
Was it hard going from a major pop band, to a solo
electronic gig?
Christian
Burns: Well, BB Mak split in 2003 and I took a few years out (mostly
because of a legal situation I was in) and now I am back, even though I
have done a few things over the past few years with the likes of Tiesto
and Benny Benassi in many ways it's like starting again. The solo dance
stuff I have been doing has broke the ice for me as far as performing
goes, it was a little strange at first performing without my buddies on
stage with me!
Dianna: Was it cool growing up having a father in music?
Christian
Burns: Yes, it was great. There was always music playing in the house,
on the radio, on the TV and from my dad. He was always
playing the guitar and singing, I remember being very little and just
being fascinated with his guitar playing.
Dianna: Did you and your father
ever clash when it came to your music choice?
Christian
Burns: We shared a common love of The Beatles and we still have similar
tastes in music today, Just the other day we were
both listening to the latest 'Empire Of The Sun' record. We are both
suckers for a good melody.
Dianna:
How was it having a 4-track studio right at home?
Christian
Burns: My friends thought I had the coolest dad, they
would all come over and record songs after school. It was my first
taste of recording in a studio, I was hooked at an early age.
Dianna: What would you say were
some things you have learned while working in a
band?
Christian
Burns: Lots of things, first of all, keep your eye on where all the cash
is being spent. Also gained so much experience in everything from how
to work with the media to how to get the most out of a performance and
how to sing on the radio at 7am!
Dianna: How do you think The
Bleach Works would be different if you hadn’t had
the experience you had gotten with BB Mak?
Christian Burns: I think the experience I had
in BB Mak has helped me tenfold, I learned a lot about my voice and how
hard I can push it, It definitely helped me when it came to performing,
working with a live band is a hard thing to do at first, and can be very
daunting. We did loads of live shows all over the world and in many
different situations and set ups. I feel very comfortable on stage these
days.
Dianna: If you had known that it
was Tiesto who wanted your song, would you have
let him use it?
Christian
Burns: I did know that it was Tiesto that wanted my song but I still wanted it for MY record, I can't go around giving my
best songs away! ; )
Dianna: You’ve worked with many people from DJ Tiesto to BT,
do you have one collaboration that stands out as your
favorite?
Christian
Burns: I have recently been working with BT, we have written three
songs for his new record and I LOVE them. We have a great writing
chemistry and our ideas work very well together. I am excited about the
songs we have written and the songs we are going to write in the future.
Dianna:
You said that the song “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers had a great
impact. What was that influence?
Christian
Burns: I loved the sound of it, it was edgy, sassy and very, very
catchy. I loved the fusion of synths with big drums and hairy guitars.
When it came out I loved EVERYTHING about the track and started stalking
Jeff Saltzman who produced 'Hot Fuss'. I got my way in the end and he
ended up producing a few tracks with me.
Dianna: Since the Killers were
such a big influence on you have you tried to get
in touch with them about working together?
Christian
Burns: No, but seen them a few times in concert.
Dianna:
What is the writing process like for you and has it changed over the years with your musical ability?
Christian
Burns: To be honest, I still write the same way as I did when I started,
I always start with a melody then I do the Lyrics.