My cultural life: Collin MacIntyre

Published on Friday 25 April 2008 16:53

What is your favourite film and why? Play It Again Sam and Casablanca. Of course the two films are joined at the hip. In Play It Again Sam, Woody Allen wants to be Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca and he keeps seeing apparitions of him.

He thinks he can be successful with women in the same way as Bogart but he just seems so desperate and ends up living in his own fantasy world. There's something in his desperation that everyone can identify with, so in that way it's quite an honest film.

The piece of music which means the most to you? The song which means the most to me is a hymn, 'Abide With Me'. I wouldn't say I'm religious at all, maybe more spiritual, but it was played at my dad's funeral and at my wedding. Although that sounds a bit solemn, I love choral music and as a song it just has a great melody.

The best performance you've ever been to? U2 at Celtic Park around the time Zooropa was out. I brought a demo tape with me thinking I could press it into Bono's hand. I did actually manage to get myself to the front and give it to their manager, which I thought was an achievement in itself. It's a gig with great memories for me, an amazing show.

The book you've read more than once? 1984 by George Orwell. I read it again last year and it reminded me of what a big influence it's had on me. I think people always make associations like that; in my music I've consistently written about people being institutionalised and trying to break free. Also you can't walk down the street these days without being on CCTV so in many ways 1984 has slowly become more relevant. It'll stand the test of time.

The fictional character whose life you'd like to lead? Ziggy Stardust. To look like that and perform those songs was just amazing.

Your idea of classic TV? The West Wing and The Sopranos. I know it sounds a bit sad but with The West Wing you almost develop personal friendships with the characters. Also I'm really interested in the mechanics of the US political system, which they portray so well. It's just so well scripted and sharp. The Sopranos is another great show. It's such a different world that when you watch it you almost feel your morals disappear. Again it relies on fantastic characters but the notion that you can be above the law just adds an extra element.

Your favourite work of art? If I had to pick a favourite I'd pick Lavender Mist by Jackson Pollock. When I was doing art in school it was my favourite subject and in my sixth-year studies I discovered Pollock. I loved the notion of just pouring paint on canvas like he did. Last summer when I was staying in Long Island I took a boat ride over to the Hamptons to visit his house, which is now a museum. You could drive into his driveway and peek into his workshop.

Prediction for star of the future? A guy called Connan and the Mockasins. He's from New Zealand and looks a bit like somebody out of a Charlie Brown comic. He's this cute little blond guy wearing a cardigan and moccasins, but when you go and watch him and his band they play music that combines old-style blues with the sound of The White Stripes. He's got a residency in London at the Water Rat and I've been to see him a couple of times. I'd love to see him really make it.

The entertainment gadget you can't live without? Probably my mobile phone. I normally have it turned off but I use it like a dictaphone to record song ideas. I actually lost it last year at T in the Park and thought I'd lost all these ideas. Luckily it turns out my brain works much better than I thought it did.

Colin MacIntyre starts a tour of Scotland at Classic Grand, (0141-847 0820) Glasgow on Thursday www.colinmacintyre.com