The Auxiliaries

IAMX won the Auxiliary Award for Best Band of 2016 and we talked with Chris Corner about the past, 2016, and the future including two new IAMX albums that are on the horizon.

How do you see the development of IAMX from its conception through now?

Though it has a theatrical stylistic element, IAMX has always been quite a self indulgent therapy project. It’s become harder to accept how it takes me to difficult places in my head. But in the end somehow it’s always cathartic. We all just want life to be smooth and easy. What a fucking joke. In the music I guess I am searching for a deeper truth and if I’m honest I have to admit it’s very hard. Making an album is a chaotic slog. And I’m not naturally talented enough for it to be fast and effortless. If I’m lucky enough to hit a sweet spot in the studio and I give myself goose pimples with my own song then I know I’ve channeled something primal and that makes it all worth it. I hate it in the beginning but going through the psychological turmoil leads to something special, so I see the importance of struggle. I work alone and never play material to others before it’s complete. I’m too self conscious. IAMX is not comfortable but it’s a necessary “beautiful” evil that allows me to vent, feel free, connect deeply with others, improves my conscience, ego, and pays the rent even if it makes me an unbalanced wreck. It grows as I grow. The never ending story of me.

What do you think was your greatest achievement of 2016?

Playing 123 shows in 13 months. That’s a new record for me.

What was the greatest obstacle of 2016?

I can’t think of one. I had a good year after a few terrible ones.

To what do you feel you owe your success?

Some talent, hard work, intense curiosity, not giving a fuck about the commercial music industry, and emotionally intelligent fans that understand the concept of longevity, loyalty, and living life outside the confines of societal norms.

What’s one big goal you still hope to achieve?

I have two goals. One is to build a house with my own hands. The second is to be a psychiatrist.

What are your plans for 2017?

I’m working on two IAMX albums. An experimental electronic oddity without voice and a full on album. I flip from one to the other depending on my mood. It’s relatively early days but they’re both sounding sexy in their own unusual ways. I’m pretty excited.