Smashing Pumpkins frontman talks openly about the musical struggle that lead to the release of his latest solo project Ogilala during an acoustic gig in London.

We're gathered in a dark vaulted room far below London's Strand for a special acoustic solo performance by WPC, or William Patrick Corgan, or most commonly, Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan is in town to promote a short silent film, Pillbox, which he directed alongside Linda Strawberry and scored with tracks from his new Rick Rubin-produced solo album, Ogilala which is out on 13 October.

The film is a darkly mysterious tale of a war hero’s descent into a twisted and magical underworld, blending filmed shots with black and white archive footage and intricate illustrations. It’s a mythical tale that borrows from the styles of both Chaplin and Burton and is pretty much exactly the sort of filmic output you’d expect from WPC.

After the short screening, we were treated to a Q&A with Corgan where he talked about openly about the near breakdown he had while attempting to record new material for the Smashing Pumpkins. “It was the only project I ever walked away from,” he admitted, and it was only when he reached out to friend and musical confidant Rick Rubin with some solo demos that he found the confidence to commit his new material to tape.

Working with Rubin seemed to prove somewhat cathartic for Corgan, who was able to leave blustery Chicago behind and head for the serenity of Topanga Canyon in California (home to Rubin’s studio) where the pair worked on tracks for what will be Corgan’s second solo release. Although a firm believer in Rubin’s abilities as a producer, an early draft of the mostly acoustic album came back with layered electronics which Corgan disliked. And so he returned to the lush, sweeping string harmonies of ‘Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness’. And we couldn’t be more thankful. While the new record is unlikely to challenge the mainstream charts, it’s a stirring work of folky grandeur and it was a joy to hear some of the standout tracks played in such close quarters. Corgan hasn't always been the most amiable of artists when pressing the flesh, but tonight his charm was truly disarming and he seemed to relish the applause that rained down for both new and old material alike.

A slightly acerbic "Fuck off, I don’t do requests anymore", might have hinted that his peevish nature is never far from the surface, but cheers for him to play on beyond his pencilled curfew were gladly honoured and even the inevitable question about a Pumpkins reunion was given a considered and detailed response.

“I used to think I would never see it happen, but I’m hopeful and open. Our music is aggressive but we’re still young enough to get it done. If we do get back together I’d like us to make new music.”

So there you have it. Fellow former Pumpkins if you’re reading this, pick up the phone and let’s get this thing rolling in time for next summer’s festival circuit.