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Back to: Archive · 2000 Studio 68 interview with Damon Albarn. From XFM, 1st November 2000 (edited highlights). XFM: I think "Song 2" is possibly one of the best pop records ever written, because not only does it cross all age groups, it crosses all genres of music as well. Were you aware of that when you wrote it, how massive that single was gonna become? Damon Albarn: Well, no, because if I had've been aware of it, I'd have written a lot more like it for that album, you know. XFM: What do you actually think of the British music industry at the moment? A lot of big boys recently, Bono and George Michael- DA: Quality acts! [laughs] XFM: And, er, who else was it? Paul McCartney- DA: Now he is quality, though. XFM: They've all come out and said that the boy-bands and girl-bands are killing the British music industry. DA: Well, I mean... They have a point. We did 'Top Of The Pops', we did 4 songs live on it, and then after us Westlife sort of marched on, well they didn't march on, they sort of slouched on to their stools and had to have, like, three takes of miming their song, you know, and I thought... But then again, you know that you're from a different era, or whatever, when you realise that you don't understand what the appeal is at all. XFM: But what is the press, the media, promoting to make kids pick up guitars at the moment? I thought on 'Top Of The Pops', when Graham was going down and fiddling around with, I don't know what it was- DA: He was playing with his 'digital delay'! XFM: And he was getting all the feedback going and stuff like that. I thought that was, like, kind of... kids must be sitting there and going 'Cor, that's exciting. That's what I want to do, go on "Top Of The Pops".'- DA: Well it is exciting, you know, when Graham gets on his digital delay anything can happen! [laughs] XFM: But what bands are out there at the moment, do you think, that are making kids want to pick up their guitars and... rather than shave their chest- DA: Yeah, but why do they have to pick up guitars? Why can't they just pick up a drum machine or a flute? Why does it have to be exclusively guitars? Just picking up instruments is the important thing. XFM: The question that everybody's asking is what are you listening to at the moment? Now, I've actually been through your record collection, and I didn't know one of the records in there, apart from The Specials! And we bonded from that moment! DA: I love The Specials, one of the most important British bands of all time, if not THE most important. XFM: Do you think so? DA: Yep. [Much laughter, it is evident that the 'Studio 68' presenter adores The Specials!] DA: What they did for opening up the idea that you can mix music, you know, it was all very eclectic for the time. There was a similar sort of vibe going on with The Clash, but I preferred The Specials. I loved The Clash but I preferred The Specials. XFM: And if you just throw The Jam in there, as well, we'll be well away! DA: I don't put The Jam in the same place, because it was a lot... Paul Weller's a fantastic, brilliant songwriter. Something like 'That's Entertainment' just has to be viewed as a stunning piece of songwriting. But, you know, when he kind of mixed his styles, he was more about him becoming the style, as opposed to mixing the styles, if you know what I mean. XFM: Right. DA: So I don't think... It was more about the personality than the actual music, on occasions, though that is not taking anything away from Sir Paul Weller! XFM: So what are you listening to at the moment? What sort of things do you listen to? DA: I listen to a lot of Latin music and a lot of African music... and... yeah, I went through a period where I was listening to a lot of sort of southern folk gospel music from America. I mean, you know, quite broad tastes really. XFM: Do you keep abreast of what is going on, though, in the music scene, bands like Coldplay, for instance- DA: Yeah, but that's just a little scene in England, you know, there's the whole bloody world out there! XFM: Yeah, but do you keep abreast of the English scene? You know, all the bands which are happening at the moment? DA: No, not at all. I do listen to XFM when I can't... when the reception in the kitchen can't get Radio Four! [laughter] XFM: Do you ever go to gigs anymore, to look at any of these bands which are sort of, you know, up and coming? Your Muses and your Idlewilds, Badly Drawn Boys and Doves and things? DA: Um, no. I mean, I just don't have the time to do that in that way. I do occasionally go to gigs. I nearly got to see Faust playing a live set to the Nosferatu film at the Festival Hall last week, but I couldn't organise a babysitter so, you know, I didn't get a chance to go. I love live music, I just... I'm just not organised enough to get it together unfortunately, and hopefully I will eventually be able to... you know. It's true, though, if I'm not in my studio I'm looking after my daughter. XFM: Best thing about being a pop star? DA: The best thing about being a pop star... is being able to say I'm not a pop star! [laughter] XFM: Favourite all-time artist? DA: When I was on holiday I thought it was Frank Sinatra. Then I listened to an early Bob Marley record and I thought it was him. Then I listened to anything Lee Perry's done and I thought it was him, and then listened to an Otis Redding record and think it's him. It just goes on, do you know what I mean? I don't really know. XFM: The Specials is the answer! DA: Oh yes, sorry, The Specials! Definitely the most special! XFM: The last question, which is always my favourite, I love to know the answer: The first ever single that you purchased? Do you remember? DA: Erm... I know it was... I think it was "I Got The Look" by The Look. XFM: Er, how's that go? DA: No, "I Got The Beat" by The Look. [sings] "I'm in demand, I am the beat." [laughter] XFM: That was crap, wasn't it! [laughter] Excellent, alright Damon, listen, thanks a lot for coming in. And best of luck with this album. Well, you won't need any luck with this album, it's gonna sell in its truckloads isn't it! But we've got all your old favourites on this, and we want you to pick what you think your favourite ever Blur single is. DA:: Well, I'll just pick the song on there that isn't actually a greatest hit, called "This Is A Low". XFM: Thanks a lot, Damon Albarn. [applause] Thank you very much for joining us tonight, and we leave you with "This Is A Low". |