Don't look for former Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell to be back in the fold of a band anytime soon. The singer-songwriter tells Spinner he is very comfortable going it alone. "I am in a situation where I can kind of spontaneously make decisions and do whatever I feel like doing," he says. "Any future ideas in terms of recordings or collaborations I want -- it's all kind of materializing. I'm finally realizing anything is possible."Cornell plans to use his current freedom -- coupled with the changing face of music -- to take advantage of his recent prolific bursts of songwriting. "It's very exciting for me [to be able to put out music quicker]," he says. "I already have plans to do different projects and release different things over the next six months and over the next year."
Cornell is quick to offer his excitement over the possibilities that the new music industry affords him. "Other people are starting to do what I wasn't able to do -- either because I had issues with record company politics or issues with inner-band politics -- when it comes to things like giving music away," he says. "But, most importantly, if I have the thought or the concept to do one or a collection of songs that might not be part of an album or something that becomes a year-long campaign, I can do that. The music business is open to that now. Nobody really has a better idea. I fit perfectly into the world that's happening now."
While Cornell says that fans will hear new music soon, he continues to embrace his current album, 'Carry On,' as he believes this is the first time he's really been a solo artist, despite having released a previous solo effort. "I'm finally really doing what a solo career allows, which really didn't happen I think on 'Euphoria Morning,'" he says. "'Euphoria Morning' took a very long time to write and record. I went out and toured, but not for very long, and then that was it. With 'Carry On' -- before it was even released -- I've been on tour the entire time. I've been playing different types of shows, different size venues, gone to places I've never been before. I'm really in a great place."
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)
nancyat 11-26-2007
He's hot, he can sing whatever he wants. Let just see more of him
Ms. Lotusat 11-26-2007
As someone who is intimately familiar with Chris' music from the early 80s onward, I need to say that I think he should have embarked on a solo career right after Soundgarden broke up. "Euphoria Morning" was excellent and a great harbinger of things to come...and then the idiot joined Audioslave, one of the most overrated pieces of crap in the last decade. He was far too talented for that band. Rock on, Chris. You need to be the larger-than-life solo artist that many of us knew you could be.
kellyat 11-27-2007
Great I hope he supports giving away music.
Donate to Chris Cornell and encourage free music!
http://www.musicneutral.com
uklukinat 11-29-2007
I agree totally with Ms Lotus. Audioslave were poor. It seemed like a real record company invention at the time. 'This guy needs a band, these guys need a singer etc'. It never worked for me.
Soundgarden were the greatest and most original rock band of the time. Pleased to see Chris twice on his European tour this year, and he was absolutely mind-blowing. Just brilliant. His voice and his new band are just superb. And he gets to play whatever songs he likes from his huge back catalogue. Screamed my lungs out to Temple of the Dog songs!
Ms Lotus - are you from the Seattle area? Screaming Life wasn't released until 1987. You must have seen Soundgarden on some really early shows - that must have been amazing.
Martin Brooklynat 11-30-2007
Oh Shit, I totaly agree with Ms Lotus. Well, I wouldnt call The Guy I worship an idiot, though, but the rest is so so right !!! Audioslave.... hmmmm lets say it was experiment, but The God wasted his precious time there, that is my opinion.
mars6000@hotmail.comat 12-01-2007
Have you guys even listened to an Audioslave record? Or are you just going with the current hot trend to bash them, knowing they won't be able to rebut you? No, Audioslave was not a record company creation. If you did some research on your own you would know this. I don't have a problem with you not liking their music, but when you give ridiculous reasons, thats what doesn't make sense. With all the absolute crap that is put out on radio these days, in my opinion Audioslave was the most honest rock music in the past 10 years. And all anybody wants to do is compare them to Soundgarden and Rage. Get over it. No band can compare to those two bands. You all were fans when they were together, but now that they aren't, it's pretty easy to rip them and get away with it.
likesuicideat 12-01-2007
It's pretty easy to rip Audioslave because they recorded a bunch of crap. Cornell's actual songwriting (that means lyrics, melodies, and actual guitar parts) was WAY underutilized because Tom Morello is a freaking egomaniac. Anyone who tries to tell me Audioslave is on par with Chris' solo stuff (you mean to tell me Light My Way is as good as Seasons?!) is just nuts. I'm so freaking glad Audioslave broke up. Carry On wasn't as good as Euphoria Morning but at least Chris is headed back in the right direction.
mars6000@hotmail.comat 12-01-2007
Nobody said Light My Way was as good as Seasons. Your proving my point. Why out of all the songs Audioslave did, do you pick out Light My Way. Why not Like A Stone, or Yesterday to Tomorrow, or Heaven's Dead. No, you need to pick out Light My Way (which happens to be the very 1st song Audioslave ever wrote together) and match it up with Seasons, a Cornell classic. And if you want to talk about egomaniac's, look no further than Cornell himself. He is my all time favorite artist, and I love pretty much everything the man has released. but he is a rockstar right down to being an asshole. It's his way or no way.
Birdmanat 12-01-2007
People here are entitled to their own opinions, but some here an "idiot" for joining Audioslave, despite the fact that Cornell wouldn't have stuck with Audioslave as long as he did if he didn't like the music they where making in the first place. Guess what? Remember when he decided to initially join the band because he LIKED jamming with them?
Don't forget about the fact that Cornell's solo concerts include a good amount of Audioslave songs. If he was ashamed of those songs, he wouldn't play them.
If you didn't think about those things you obviously didn't think about the fact that the singer/songrwitter himself didn't feel like he was an idiot for his decision to be a member of Audioslave.
Step back and put yourself in the shoes of the artist. I cannot speak for the man himself be it's clear to me that this is NOT about what you think he should be or who he should be playing with. It's about the artist being pleased with the work that he himself makes. YOU may not have been happy with Audioslave, but you should realize that no matter what Chris Cornell does in his career, he's not going to please everyone.
Some people dug Audioslave, others didn't. If Cornell joined another supergroup, he would inspire the same types of reactions from people.
burgoat 12-03-2007
@ Birdman,
Hear hear! No one can blame the dude for joining up simply for the joy of JAMMING with a band... and the comparisons between audioslave and ratm/soundgarden and hopeless... sort of like comparing foos and nirvana. Times have changed, people have changed, and you can't go back to the way things were when everything around you has changed!
richat 12-22-2007
And then there are those of us who dug Audioslave more than most bands that came out during that time, regardless of how and why quick buck or whatever the fusion took place. The Rage sound with Chris's voice was a brilliant idea either way (wasn't it Rick Rubin's idea?). I could never get tired of their 3 albums. Can't say that about much these days (or then). But I also respect Chris's choice. Creative freedom is the way to go.
digglerat 1-21-2008
I am praying one of those projects involves kim thayil, ben sheperd and matt cameron.
b.wissat 1-29-2008
Remember : audioslave was 1rst called "rage against the machine"!! Zach de le Rocha was gone and you all say that it is a shame for them to search a new singer, the fact is that they choose THE best of the best to do the job : Mister Cornell himself! where is the problem ? If you really hate at this point Audioslave, don't listen it!! For the solo carrier of Cornell : perfect to me. So just shut up and open your ears. And after all Chris Cornell does the choice he wants and it's OK for me. RESPECT.
blackdaysat 1-31-2008
well i think chris cornell doesnt give a fuck if ppl love his music or not.hes on his way now,where he can make his own decisions and look forward to put some new records out.it seems like he finally found his peace.so if u hate his art,then go listen to b.spears.maybe hes not made for u.
blackdaysat 1-31-2008
i think hes at that point now,where he dont need another band anymore.hes growing up alot and it seems like he loves to be alone.hes doing fine so he can do whatever he feels like doing,i love everything what he done.