Byrne's Roundhouse project

Ex-Talking Heads singer to turn venue into an instrument 

11 May 2009 - Ex-Talking Heads singer David Byrne is set to turn Camden’s Roundhouse into a “musical instrument” for a special month long residency.

The project entitled Playing The Building will allow fans to try their hand at an old keyboard which activates flute pipes and electric motors dotted around the venue from 8-31 August.

His vision of "Victorian steam-punk technology" will also see devices attached to the building structure including metal beams, pillars and heating pipes.

Listen to David Byrne give an exclusive in-depth interview, taking us through his whole career on The Music Week.

"The Roundhouse is just perfect, they’ll just strip everything out and open the windows along the top which are never opened up because they interfere with performances," he explained.

"But it's beautiful when the lights stream in, it’s the perfect place for it."

"The Roundhouse is just perfect, it's beautiful when the lights stream in." David Byrne

Byrne is also releasing a new live EP featuring songs from his recent tour with all proceeds going to Amnesty International.

The Everything That Happens Will Happen On This Tour release includes songs from his most recent album written with Brian Eno including One Fine Day, My Big Nurse, I Feel My Stuff and the single Strange Overtones.

The singer also gave 6 Music a quick update on how his side project with Fatboy Slim is coming along.

The record Here Lies Love trails the life of Imelda Cross, the widow of former Phillipines dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

"I'm going to finally finish this project with Norman," he confirmed in an exclusive interview with The Music Week.

"There’s proven to be too many possibilities of it going astray so we’re going to get it done now."

Damian Jones