Few artists tackle a rock anthem as colossal as Guns N’ Roses’ 'Estranged' and manage to make it entirely their own, but Colm Warren rises to the challenge. The former frontman of Belfast alt-punk outfit The Twenty has unveiled his latest single, a near ten-minute reimagining of the GNR epic, brought to life with the sweeping grandeur of the F.A.M.E.S. Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra and orchestral arrangements by John Byrne.
For Warren, this cover is personal. A song that first struck him as a teenager, 'Estranged' now emerges through his distinct artistic lens, one that blends raw punk spirit with lush symphonic textures and lyrics steeped in honesty. It’s a continuation of a deeply authentic solo career that has already earned acclaim, not least with his spine-tingling duet 'Truth' with Maeve Smyth, which saw him invited to perform with Ireland’s RTE Concert Orchestra.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with Colm to talk about is background and what has inspired his sound most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Acoustic guitar
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’d listen to a lot of different music but, generally, would naturally gravitate towards rock n’ roll type bands – everything from The Beatles, The Stones and The Kinks right through to Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, Radiohead and Oasis.
What was the first album you remember owning?
It was a tape cassette! I bought Use Your Illusion II by Guns N’ Roses on a school trip to Germany.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Estranged!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I have to clear my mind completely of day to day life and work to move into a totally different headspace. It’s like being in a different zone, albeit the only one I actually love being in. In there, I can write songs and be creative very naturally – I don’t know how, it just comes. In day-to-day existence with the challenges of “real life” etc, I find it almost impossible to let true creativity flow. It’s like I have to shut the artist part of me down, just to deal with all the other shit!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been back all over early Oasis, going down memory lane really, and was lucky enough to see them live again a few weeks ago. It does tend to be a lot of older stuff with me really – although Kneecap have definitely been on the playlist!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’m gonna say my old punk band The Twenty – because that would mean I’m back with good lads just regularly playing live music in an authentic band. Hard to beat that.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Writing songs and seeing them come to life. It’s the creation of something where there was once nothing that does it for me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The process of actually releasing music as an independent artist. I struggle with that part. It is a totally different, shark-filled, world that has very little to do with the artistic side of things – especially in the age of social media etc. Thankfully, I’m at the point where I don’t really give a shit about the commercial end of things – as you can probably tell by the choice of a ten minute cover song! But it’s still the part that I don’t particularly understand or enjoy at all.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Only do it if your motivation is that you really, genuinely, truly love it. Very transferable as well I’d say!
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Colm Warren's new single 'Estranged' is out now. Check it out in the player below.