Exclusive from RADAR:

Radar: So many different styles on Mantaray—was there a theme to the album? And was it odd to not have any familiar Banshees or Creatures around? Not even Budgie, your drummer for nearly 25 years?

Siouxsie Sioux: No, I just wanted to treat each song like it could be a potential single. It was unnerving to work with new people, but it was invigorating as well to try something different and to have it come out quite good. And you know what I found out? There are other great drummers out there. [Laughs.]

Where’d you find these new collaborators, Steve Evans and Charlie Jones?

Steve did this album The Mighty Rearranger with Robert Plant, who I am not the hugest fan of, but I found the music quite interesting. We did the album in short blocks, maybe two songs at a time, with these producers who also played on the album. They weren’t just knob twiddlers, which was new to me. Plus, it was nice to do the album in the Bath countryside instead of London. We could focus with no distractions.

The first single, “Into a Swan,” is quite the statement of intent, and I heard the video was hijacked and put on the Internet?

Some minion at Universal put it on fucking YouTube right after I approved the offline. Little bugger! Damn technology.

This anthem, with lines like, “I feel a force I’ve never felt before. I don’t wanna fight it anymore. Feelings so strong can’t be ignored,” has caused some blog gossip that you are about to come out of the closet.

I’ve never hidden in the bloody closet! If I am in the closet it’s because I’m looking at all the pretty clothes there. I think it’s about me finding new confidence, facing fears, and moving on. Lots of change afoot. After 30 years, I realize I might just be a musician!

(Continue reading Siouxsie’s interview after the jump!)

Another track, “Here Comes that Day,” is great—it’s quite the vampy, go fuck yourself song.

Thanks, it’s one of my favorites, too. A real Bond-meets-stripper burlesque. It will most likely be the next single in the UK. It would make a great video!

I also love “They Follow You.” It has such a pretty melody married to these somber lyrics about emotional scars. Is that one about taking antidepressants?

It’s about self-medicating with whatever you use—alcohol, drugs, work, anything to avoid confronting things. Eventually you have to face it, whatever “it” is. Life is hard.

Your lyrics aren’t as obtuse or mysterious as in the past. Where does this newfound clarity come from?

I guess it comes from within. As you get older you need to make sense of the nonsense of your life, figure out why you’re you—is it your genes, your environment? I’m trying to be more conscious of not repeating vicious circles.

People have bitten your style for decades. You should’ve patented your makeup and hairstyle. Do you ever feel like not putting on your face and showing up onstage in sweats with a ponytail?

Nevah! And I don’t want to see someone onstage in a track suit. It’s part of the magic, that eye candy. What’s the point of looking like you’re a slob at home watching telly?

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