Marc Almond chats to Amie Mulderrig about his latest project The Tyburn Tree, Jack the Ripper and the darker side of London.

Where are you, describe your surroundings.
I’m at home, there are many paintings and artworks on the wall and two parrots are watching me.

What’s it like to be Marc Almond?
Sometimes frustrating, often fulfilling and always exhausting.

Tell me about your new project The Tyburn Tree
The Tyburn Tree is my collaboration with composer, musician and producer John Harle, it is a musical song cycle about dark London and its myths and folklore. The Tyburn Tree was the name for the Hanging Gallows at Marble Arch.

What inspired the project?
Both John and I share an interest in British and particularly London history. John had already had an idea in doing a project called Dark London and after hearing some of my music on an album called Feasting With Panthers and of my work in Mark Ravenhill’s and Conor Mitchell’s song cycle Ten Plagues, thought I would be perfect voice to collaborate with on this project.

Is the choice of name The Tyburn Tree ironic – given that the tree was a form of punishment, whereas what you and John are doing is entertaining?
In its day the executions that happened at the Tyburn Tree were looked on as entertainment by the visiting public who made it a day out. No Irony was intended. The Tyburn Tree has its mythical roots that stretch to all dark corners of London and it all ends back there.

You’ve included dark, historical figures such as Jack The Ripper – why?
Jack the Ripper is the utmost mythical figure of London, but we’ve referred to some of the many myths surrounding him like it was thought in a report at the time that the murderer was more likely some kind of creature than a man, maybe a kind of Minotaur because of the labyrinth of streets around White Chapel and Limehouse at the time. Spring Heeled Jack is my favourite London urban myth. There were also press reports of a vampire who’d been seen in High Gate Cemetery unsurprising as the Cemetery is like a scene from a Hammer Horror film with Gothic Crypts that were frequently broken into.

How long did it take to put the album together?
John of course took a long time on the music, some of the arrangements are quite intricate. There’s 180,000 notes in all. The vocals were quicker, after a couple of workshops, about three afternoon visits to John’s studio. The album was probably done over a year.

What challenges did you encounter with The Tyburn Tree?
I love challenges and to try to reach for new places, to surprise people. There were vocal challenges. Some of the music is quite fast and doesn’t allow you luxurious breathing space, but it creates a breathy excitement.

Is The Tyburn Tree showcasing a different side to Marc Almond? If so how?
I hope everything I do can show something new and certainly The Tyburn Tree is something different musically for me.

Are you looking forward to performing at The Barbican?
I am looking forward to performing the music live as it will take it to a different level but it will bring other challenges with it.

What do you think about just before you go on stage?
I try to empty my mind but always at the back of it is, will I forget the words?

The Tyburn Tree is on March 2, 7.30, The Barbican, Silk Street, EC2. Details: 020 7638 4141, www.barbican.org.uk