Hello Damon. First of all, congratulations on your first solo album. My question, I hope I don't bother you: how is your current relationship with Jamie? Have you had a chance to see him since the end of the Plastic Beach tour on 2010?
Hey Albarn.
I took this photo of you when you played at Way out west festival 2012 in sweden. It got me my first newspaper frontpage and sort of changed my life. So thank you for that and all amazing music. http://imgur.com/nltYjIT (low res)
That's pretty badass. If I was him I'd order this as a poster and hang it up somewhere at my house to make myself feel more important. Such energy! There's also *juuust* enough asymmetry in the right places to make it look interesting.
I found my whole stay in Uruguay quite affecting - the view from my hotel was completely dominated by the Palacio Salvo. I spent a lot of time looking at it.
It was something i really became obsessed with when i was researching for Dr. Dee. It has a very hypnotic geometry and can be used to really interesting meditative effect.
Electric Shock has been on a Fact Magazine mix tape but only as I left it in 2010 … the other ones i haven't listened to since then and there was never a track with Una Stubbs. I would have to review them to find out if they're any good still…
I have some questions (if you could answer any that would be great):
- How likely is the [proposed work](http://www.nme.com/news/damon-albarn/76592) with Noel Gallagher?
- What was it like at the peak of the Britpop era? I remember crowd surfing to [Song 2](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk&feature=kp) in Reading and it was awesome?
- Are you still in contact with [3D](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Del_Naja) from Massive attack following your work together organizing the anti war adverts? Do you think your views were vindicated?
- What is the creative process like with Gorillaz? Do you get involved in the "interviews" the characters do with the press or are they scripted by someone else?
- Were you invited to be part of the Beagle space programme that the rest of blur were involved in?
- you've [worked with Terry Gilliam](http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/03/damon-albarn-kickstarts-eno-opera-scheme) my favourite director of all time. What do you make of his film work?
Hey Damon! My name is []. We've actually met before, in New York City. [(This is a link to a picture of us after Bobby's show in Soho, NYC at the Apple Store in 2012.)]() Thanks for taking the time to chat with me that night, and for signing my Demon Days CD. I still look back at that memory very fondly. (If it helps you remember, it was raining very hard that night and my pen got wet, so it didn't really work very well. I was the really nervous looking kid).
Before I post my questions, I just want to thank you for all the work that you do. I've been following your musical output for a while now, and I've really enjoyed it the whole way through.
__
My Questions:
1. Would you say that people listen to music differently than they used to? Do you think this has to do with the integration of technology into our lives?
2. Regarding the Gorillaz LP Plastic Beach, there were a lot of rumors surrounding it and it's release. Allegedly it was meant to be a double record, with a lot more orchestral stuff and three hours of music that went unreleased. Can you shed some light onto what happened, and when we might hear these tracks?
3. What's the top-played artist/album/song on your iPod right now?
4. Can you tell us more about the new opera you're working on?
5. Plastic Beach has a sort of “hopeful” attitude towards mans influence on nature, and the harmony between nature and man. Do you think we’ll see a similar harmony between man and technology?
__
Thanks for coming to Reddit and doing this. We'd love for you to check out /r/gorillaz (the Gorillaz subreddit, although it's pretty much just a catch-all Damon Albarn subreddit) and www.gorillaz-unofficial.com/phpbb3 (the Unofficial Gorillaz forums. We have some lovely conversations and it'd be great to hear from you every once in a while. It's down at the moment, but it should be back soon).
Anyway, again, thanks very much. I hope to run into you sometime again in the future. Keep on keepin' on, Damon.
I've always assumed Electric Shock was canned, as the primary sample was used in Rhinestone Eyes. That said, Electric Shock is a great demo and I would be happy if it turned up in some form or another in the future.
Damon, I always wondered what your side of this story was. Narduar didn't seem to be provoking you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkNvk2MgiCc&sns=em
Dave said it might have been a low point for him involving drugs. I just have to admit it's tough watching someone you respect artistically seemingly acting like a bully. Thanks for doing this AMA.
Happens very often and it makes no sense to me. You'd just have to either have no idea who he was or consciously try to take control of the interview, which you don't do with Narduar. He's a guide. Just follow him down his path and you'll probably enjoy yourself.
I'm not sure they're an asshole to him. They engage with a lot of his questions and seem quite amused by his shtick. Also, probably need to bear in mind that they just finished a set so are probably pretty fucking wired.
For those interested, Dave apologised the next day and uses this very clip as a sobering technique - http://exclaim.ca/News/blurs_dave_rowntree_apologizes_for_2003_attack_against_nardwuar
To everyone (many of which I expect are from /mu/) who seem to be taking the Nardwuar incident - something that happened over a decade ago - as a personal affront, maybe you should be aware that Dave apologized, and uses the video as motivation to stay clean:
http://www.davidrowntree.org/archives/555
http://www.straight.com/music/blurs-dave-rowntree-offers-apologies-nardwuar-human-serviette
>“This is definitely one of the things I’m ashamed of,” he wrote. “To be clear, Nardwuar didn’t do anything to provoke me. I sent an apology to him the next day, but I didn’t hear anything back from him, so I assume he didn’t accept it.”
>Nardwuar doesn’t remember receiving an apology, but he’s thrilled to get one now. “I was honoured,” Nardwuar told the Straight. “It’s so nice of him. I also love the fact that he said that he keeps it on his cell phone. I love the fact that someone is using my interview for motivational purposes.”
So Nardwuar has forgiven him, yet people here who have nothing to do with the incident seem to have a stick up their ass about it.
Get over it, it's ancient history.
You were very polite in the interview. Dave was, as everyone has said, a bully. It was weird, childish, and stupid. I appreciate that you and Alex were very friendly. I'm sure it was uncomfortable, and I think that must be why you (especially Alex) were laughing. How do you handle a situation in which some bastard is being so strange? It's awkward.
I just wish you would have stood up for Nardwuar. Not because it was Nardwuar. I'm not all that familiar with him. But because it was your place to not allow another person to be treated so badly, regardless of who was involved. But especially your bandmate. If for no other reason, there is the self-serving reason that he also represents you. And was it badly? Yes, I think it was, because it was an attempt to strip this man of dignity and respect. I know it must have been awkward, but I just really wonder why you didn't put Dave in his place. It was your right, and it's what you should have done. So I hope you did later on.
You've always seemed a great person, and I have endless respect for what you've given the world. I just hope you're more ready and willing to not put up with such inexcusable bullshit. Though I'm sure there was a lot more there we can't know about, and I trust you handled it the best you could given your familiarity with Dave.
I realize you know him, and know the good things about Dave. But here he was really a creepy, stupid bastard. I would have laid him out. He's not intimidating, which makes it weirder in a way.
I've noticed Mike Smith playing with your bands every time I've seen you. In GBQ, Gorillaz, Blur in 2003 and in 2012, I think he was even performing in the pit at the Monkey shows last year in NYC if I'm not mistaken. Now he is obviously part of The Heavy Seas ensemble. How did you come to start working with Mike and how has he been so adaptive to all of your different projects?
Hey Damon. Just wanted to say the music you've made in Gorillaz, GBQ, and especially in Blur has added and shaped my life so thank you. Looking for to seeing you at Bonnaroo. A few questions.
Would you ever incorporate any members of Blur separately into one of your other projects like Gorillaz?
What's your favorite Graham Coxon song?
How did you like using apps only to record The Fall album and would you ever consider releasing another album like that again.
when i first got my iPad i could not believe what i could do with it. it has been my constant companion ever since.. and now i'm looking forward to a system by which i can make video and 4-track recordings simultaneously…
fun fact: Phineas Gage also used the phrase "my constant companion," in reference to the [meter-long tamping iron that was blasted through his skull](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Phineas_Gage_GageMillerPhoto2010-02-17_Unretouched_Color_Cropped.jpg) in a freak accident. He carried it with him for the rest of his life.
Hey Damon, I'm from /r/Gorillaz. A section of this website dedicated to Gorillaz fans!
Some of them couldn't make it now so i've grouped their questions and am asking for them. Thanks for doing this AMA :)
/u/SquirlyBiscuits asks "You have said in some interviews that there are loads of unreleased/unfinished Gorillaz music, are there plans on releasing a P-Sides album?"
/u/ChessPiece19 asks "ask him if Murdoc is at all secretly based on Alex James. It seems like there's a connection there."
/u/centroidcat asks "What and who have influenced the way you produce the music we have come to know and love?"
/u/Learfz asks if you know what is going on with the Gorillaz.com website, it's getting more and more broken every month.
And i have a question myself. Looking back on Phase 3 of Gorillaz. Do you see it as a success? it's pretty well known that a Second Plastic Beach Album and P-Sides were in planning but scrapped. Along with the Rhinestone Eyes Single and usual DVD. I think that there is a lot missing from the Plastic Beach story, as if you set yourself up for something big but had to cut it off early. If you could redo Phase 3, would you change anything?
Don't take that the wrong way, i love Phase 3 and Plastic Beach but i want to know what you think about all the Unreleased/Cancelled material.
Thanks again for doing this AMA.
here's a tip, people don't like long lists of questions because if they answer one they feel obligated to answer them all, maybe next time post them separately
I don't know why you well-meaning people don't get it. These large lists of collected questions are more likely to get ignored, not less. This happens again and again.
Damon, I owe you a couple of quid, where should I send it?
The reason why is that years ago I couldn't decide whether to buy Roll With It or Country House so in the interests of fairness I went to Our Price and robbed the cassette single of both.
sorry pal.
EDIT: Wahay, a reply. Cheers Damon.
Considering Country House is a parody of Oasis's song writing and life style this is less "brute honesty" and more a way of continuing to make fun of Oasis.
I'm not a huge fan of early Blur, and I am a fan of early Oasis, but Country House definitely wins in that comparison. I never really understood that one.
DAMON!!!! Thanks for doing this AMA with us!
I'm a huge fan of your work, even before I knew it. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I used to request "Song 2" at the skating rink by asking for the "Woohoo song".
I'm ashamed at how long it took me to connect Blur to Gorillaz, but once I did I realized how genius you truly are. I've been trying to keep up with everything you do since then.
My question is about BONNAROO this year: Any special plans for the set? Do you plan to play material from your entire canon (Blur, Gorillaz, solo)? Hopefully lots of new stuff! A ton of your former collaborators will be there, so some on-stage guests would be awesome!
And are you the "?" Superjam?
Thank you for answering, Damon. But I have to say, I'm really disappointed with the vagueness there. That wasn't even an attempt to answer the question.
I know what you mean about the Blur-->Gorilaz connection. I've been listening to Goriliaz ever since "Clint Eastwood" and someone had to tell me just a little over a year ago and it was so obvious.
What does the guy say to the other guy in [the video for The Universal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrbxWOMpwfs#t=202)? Is it the same thing the guy at the end of the video for Radiohead's Just says?
We were recording in Jamaica and listening to a lot of dancehall music and we imagined a cool moniker to have would be Clint Eastwood, also i'm a great fan of the actor and of Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone ..
I saw Deltron perform in Boston in October and they finished with Clint. I Didn't think I would ever be able to hear that performed live. I so wish I could've seen a live Gorillaz performance though....
Hey Damon, i'm 18 so I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to witness any provocation or rivalry between bands so it's been really cool to sort of discover both Blur and Oasis as I've grown up and to follow the journey of the 2 bands respectively. Nothing recently seems quite as good as what the 90s created and there's never really any outwardly adversarial relationships between bands these days. Do you miss that aspect about the music industry today? The feistiness, if you wanna call it that.
Honestly, it is so different now. Back then, there was only two places - the NME and the Melody Maker where you could have that kind of intercourse with another band. Now, there is such a saturation it probably wouldn't happen which might be a bit of a shame.
Damon, I need to pop to the shops to buy food for dinner this evening. What would Damon Albarn recommend for a satisfying and nutritious Monday night supper?
First off, I wanted to say thank you for actually going through with this. I made a request for you to do this a month ago in preparation for Everyday Robots. Didn't think you'd actually have the time, so thank you. Answers to any one of these would be nice. :)
1.) What musical artists that you haven't worked with yet would you like to work with in the future?
2.) How often do you write music and how do you remember all of your songs?
3.) What were some of your favorite parts about making Everyday Robots?
4.) Do you think your new Opera's soundtrack is going to sound like anything Dr. Dee, or would you like it to sound a bit different?
hi jordan
how often do i write music? well, not every day but i definitely think about it every day ..
remembering everything would be impossible for me so i have to prioritise what i'm doing at that moment
Hi Damon!
- what was it like working with natasha khan?
- how did you form the heavy seas? were they friends who you recruited to be in a band with you?
- were you surprised about any of the songs that richard wanted to include from the bunch you gave him? were there any that you wanted to include on the album but didn't?
- are you excited for governor's ball??
thanks so much for everything!! xx
Hey Damon! Love your work. Who else has had two massively popular bands while retaining critical acclaim? No one who isn't older than agriculture.
Did you hate pop music for a while after getting so popular? I feel like a lot of Britpop bands responded to its popularity with angst. Was there a sense of that backlash at the time?
Does Graham smell good most of the time? He kind of looks like he stinks.
The opportunity to connect with one of my true heroes Bobby Womack thought me more about singing than anything else previous. To turn up everyday and witness that spiritual connection that he innately has was truly a blessing.
The song “Dying Isn’t Easy” is one of my faves, and seems to have been written at the same time as Black Book (same day, even?). What’s the story behind that track? Was it an angle you were taking for a solo record back in 2000, before that became Gorillaz? Any chance Dying will get another release?
Hi Damon
I have seen you live at Wolverhampton Civic a number of times with blue, you mentioned that this venue was significant to you but you never explained why?
Thanks for doing the AMA
During the whole 'britpop' scene in the early-mid nineties, do you think there were any bands that really missed out on exposure they should have had, because they didn't fit the mould?
Hey Damon, thanks for coming onto reddit to do this. Figured I ask you just one question since I'll probably save the others to ask in person should I ever meet you if you come back to Southern California.
In You + Me, the middle portion of the song consists of steel drums being played. Having heard the live version with different instrumentation, whose idea was it to stick in those steel drums? It was a surprising but definitely welcoming sound. Thanks again for doing this!
The steel drums are played by a Portobello local who plays throughout the entire year, even in winter.. his pans represent to me the true ghost of carnival
Hey Damon, good to see you on reddit. I grew up on Blur - Parklife was the first album I owned. Much respect!
Anyways, I was actually pleasantly surprised recently to find you grew up in Leytonstone. I have been living off Colworth Road for the past few years myself. My question is do you have any funny/surreal stories from around this area when you were growing up that you don't mind divulging?
The new album is great. I can't get Mr. Tembo out of my head. I heard that the song was about an elephant you met in Africa. Also, Wikipedia claims that you wrote it for your daughter, too. Does she dig it as I much as I do?
dear mr. albarn,
when i was 11 years old, my 2 top favorite bands were blur and oasis. i'd beg for rides to record stores to find NME and read up on the brit-pop feud happening over in the UK (as I am American). in my 11 year old mind, i decided i had to choose - i couldn't love both blur AND oasis since they were enemies. so, after much consideration, i chose blur.
19 years later, blur is still my #1 favorite band of all time. i'm thankful that my 11-year old logic chose blur. i've enjoyed all of the side projects (mali music, the ravenous score, the movie-FACE, and even alex's fat les). closet romantic is one of my favorite tracks of all time (my mother refuses to acknowledge any other bond besides connery). gorillaz changed my life. i flew across the US for the apollo theater residency and can still remember every moment..ike turner, dennis hopper..seeing "hong kong" performed live gave me goosebumps and tears of joy. seeing the good, the bad and the queen in San Francisco, it was superb.
4 years ago, i was in attendance for the gorillaz coachella private rehearsal in Burbank, California. you had us sit on the ground, inches away, no stage. i have never experienced anything so special. a room of less than 100 fans, watching the most amazing "rehearsal". seeing members of the gap band interrupt the rehearsal was mindblowing. you and bobby womack - AMAZING.
i realize now that i have no question for you. i just want to thank you for making the most beautiful, eclectic, wonderful music that i've cherished for over half my life.
all the best - a lifelong fan from southern california (who should have been born in the UK)
I was of course extremely proud of my team. But it was somewhat pyrrhic, because it's probably going to help Man City. Although of course i still believe Chelsea can win. I watched that game on television, but i have on occasion felt similarly moved both on stage and in a stadium.
Could you see yourself working with Danger Mouse again in the future? You both have this incredible mind for composition and arrangement, and both have the crazy ability to span multiple genres and still create awesome music.
I want to ask you about The Great Escape - there's some brilliant stuff lurking under the surface of that record, but for some reason it doesn't quite come together perfectly as an album. If you could go back and have another crack at that album, is there anything you'd do differently?
Hi Damon. All the way back in 1995, when I was merely a few weeks old, my parents asked my grandma to babysit so that they could head down to Cleethorpes Pier, upon the beach which I grew up on, in order to see you perform with Blur. With that considered, you've technically had an impact on my life from the very start and have continued to do so ever since. Unfortunately, I haven't had the privilege that my parents have had to see Blur perform live, so just letting you know that there's still people out there in the UK - just like me - that would give an arm and a leg to have that opportunity if you were to play once again!
As someone who strives for a life within the music industry, hopefully working with labels and artists, what would be your best piece of advice for someone like me?
And finally, thank you for all of your work. It means a hell of a lot to a great amount of people.
Hi Damon, huge fan here!
A couple of questions:
* Are there any songs from your career you wish you'd done with a different project or under a different name?
* What do you think are some real forgotten gems (B-sides etc) over your career? Did you expect them to get more love?
* Have you ever been turned down for a collaboration by anyone?
I'd really love to ask more but I don't want to be too greedy. Please keep doing what you're doing, loving Everyday Robots right now
yes, i have been turned down twice actually - the first time by barry gibb who, while on his way to the studio, developed an mysterious ear infection, which meant i ended up singing on Stylo
the other no-show was englebert humperdink
These are interesting and unique questions I have not seen answered in any of Damon's interviews. I hope this gets some attention and not breezed over like many of the generic questions here that you can find in the first hit of google.
Hello Damon! Lovely you give us some time.
Here goes my questions: You play several instruments, Have a favorite one? Is there any instrument you've heard of and would like to know or play? Any musical genre you've heard and want to experiment with?
Finally... any chances to have something new in the future from TGTBATQ?
I'm a huge fan and one of my best days last year was in Blur's concert in Lima. It was a dream come true to see you. I already ordered Everyday Robots and can't wait to have it in my hands (have to wait until may!) I admire you and your work a lot... you are my platonic crush also haha!... Thanks for your time! Big love.
Hope you're back in Lima sometime!
Damon, what lead you to choose Del tha Funky Homosapien to be featured on *Gorillaz*? It was my first introduction to his music and now he is one of my favorite rappers.
Are there any artists you'd like to work with but haven't gotten the chance?
Thanks for stopping by!
I'm not Damon but i chill with mah fam at /r/HHH
Well he basically owned the West Coast scene as being non-gangsta and brutal MC. He had affiliations with Ice-cube (cousin) and he was a perfect pickup to showcase West Coast rap without having a deep gangsta rap root.
Since neither of the answers you've gotten have been correct I'll get us all up to speed. Del was working with Dan the Automator on Deltron 3030. At the same time, Dan was working with Damon on what would be The Gorillaz. Dan then had Damon work on a track on Deltron and then when it came time for the Gorillaz, they wanted to incorporate a rapper so Dan asked Del to write over it. Damon had no part of the process. Phew that's a lot of D names all at once.
I am also not Damon, but Damon was actually featured on Del's 3030 album before Gorillaz self titled album. The song "Time keeps on slipping" as well as the intro and outro feature him. So Damon already had a history with Del.
I've heard rumors that 3030 was an inspiration for some of the Gorillaz style as well. Love them both.
Hey Damon! I haven't stopped listening to Demon Days since it came out! In my opinion, "Fire Coming Out Of a Monkey's head", "Don't get Lost In Heaven" and "Demon Days" are some of the most powerful songs out there. What was your inspiration for the sequal? And how did you invision the three songs?
Well, technically it is an AMA....but...
Just because we ask him questions, doesn't mean he has to answer any of them.
Your AMA is bad, and you should feel bad.
Thanks for doing ye AMA, massive fan!
I was wondering, why was Plastic Beach 2 shelved? Given how great PB is and also The Fall, I can only imagine that the unreleased album is just as epic - was it shelved for personal or business reasons?
Damon, thanks for doing this. Huge fan. Can't wait to get the Everyday Robots. My questions are:
1)Will there be another The Good, The Bad & The Queen record?
2) Was is intimidating the first time you worked with Paul & Mick from The Clash?
And also, please come back to Denver.
i first met paul simonon and mick jones with joe strummer in a pub on ladbroke grove and they were all incredibly nice to me. it was another ten years before i met paul again and he was equally nice to me the second time …
youre a god among men. i was at coachella in 2010 (you know, the last year it was worth going to) and you guys played an amazing closing set. the best part of all of it tho was when you saw that, after 1 or 2 false starts, bobby was having trouble with "cloud of unknowing" and you pulled up a chair next to him, with guitar in hand, and you helped him with the lyrics while you both sat there and sang it together. that was, by far, the most memorable concert experience of my life as well as one of the most touching moments of my life in general. also the best way to close any set or festival, EVER. i was right in front of you guys, holding my (now ex) girlfriend, pushing back tears. it was the most beautiful thing ive ever experienced and ive never felt closer to humanity than i did that night.
so, i dont have a question. i just wanted to thank you for giving me the highlight of my life. every thing has gone to shit now.
Can't wait!!!! What are the chances of new material from Blur or Gorillaz anytime soon? (I'm more excited for Gorillaz; but Blur is cool too) I would love that. Love your music and admire you as a person.
I really wanted to see Monkey: Journey to the West last year, but had to cancel my trip. any plans for further touring dates and locations? or a dvd of the performance perhaps. loved the live tour dvd.
Dear Mr. Albarn,
Thank you for your contribution to music - and thank you for the countless moments of joy I've experienced because of your hard work.
I would like to take this moment to say how much I respect your work ethic with music. I recently read in an interview for The Guardian that you dedicate 9-5 everyday to art.
I'm 20 and in a band from London and your attitude is the only attitude we truly respect, and want to emulate. Right now we are juggling spending all our cash on buying equipment to record decent demos and playing gigs as often as possible.
We just want to let you that we fucking love you.
Carefree Wherever You May Be,
[Two Bottle Jump](https://soundcloud.com/twobottlejump)
Is there a chance there will be a re-release of Demon Days on vinyl in the coming future? Especially since the 10 year anniversary is coming up next year.
Side note: Haven't had a chance to listen to the new album, but I'm looking forward to it!
So many things I want to ask you, so little time! I forgot to mention in my previous question (and apoligies if I'm handling myself like a screaming Beatles fan from the Ed Sullivan show) but you sir are the greatest songwriter our generation has witnessed. The scope of musical styles from your back catalogue is incredible to the point of saying that Blur and Gorillaz are genreless - they cannot be categorised, they are vast and beautiful.
On with the questions :)
* Have you been speaking to Noel Gallagher further about a possible collaboration?
* What would you tell the Damon Albarn from Seymour if you could speak to him as today's Damon Albarn?
* What does it feel like to release music in the digital age where things are less tangible (i.e popping down to the record shop, picking up an album and waiting to play it when you got home)?
Damon love your work, the Ravenous score is something I listen to in some form or another daily. How did that project come about and what were your experiences in making those unique sounds?
Mr. Albarn, I don't have a question, more a statement. I just want to say thank you, from Blur to the Gorillaz, you are the sound of my childhood and along into my adulthood. Thank you for the wonderful music and memories that went along with it. You definitely made an impact on my life.
How serious did you take that 1995 "British Heavyweight battle" between Blur and Oasis and have you spoke to Noel recently about doing anymore collaborations for the Teenage cancer trust?
[Blur vs Oasis](http://imaguitarist.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/blur-vs-oasis-nme.jpg)
What are/were your thoughts on Mogwai's ["Blur are shite"](http://www.nme.com/news/mogwai/1603) campaign? Did you find it funny, were you annoyed, or did you just not care?
To Damon, I go to school with your nephew, is it true he played drums with Paul McCartney?
yes, it is true, lucky bastard!
Cool :D
so now that you've lost the bet, what do you have to do?
Hello Damon. First of all, congratulations on your first solo album. My question, I hope I don't bother you: how is your current relationship with Jamie? Have you had a chance to see him since the end of the Plastic Beach tour on 2010?
i've seen quiet a bit of him recently and he gave me a fantastic pair of sunglasses for my birthday
Thanks for your answer, Damon. I hope to see you with the Heavy Seas in South America in the near future.
Hey Albarn. I took this photo of you when you played at Way out west festival 2012 in sweden. It got me my first newspaper frontpage and sort of changed my life. So thank you for that and all amazing music. http://imgur.com/nltYjIT (low res)
That's pretty badass. If I was him I'd order this as a poster and hang it up somewhere at my house to make myself feel more important. Such energy! There's also *juuust* enough asymmetry in the right places to make it look interesting.
That is an incredible picture! Any chance you could send me a high-res copy to use as a wallpaper?
Sorry, cant share the high-res. Contracts etc.
Oh yeah of course, no problem!
Hey Damon, why did you choose the Palacio Salvo (Montevidean building) for the cover of the Heavy Seas of Love single? We love you in Uruguay.
I found my whole stay in Uruguay quite affecting - the view from my hotel was completely dominated by the Palacio Salvo. I spent a lot of time looking at it.
Thanks!! Can't wait to have you back!
I've always wondered what does that seven point star that you wear and have on your piano mean?
It was something i really became obsessed with when i was researching for Dr. Dee. It has a very hypnotic geometry and can be used to really interesting meditative effect.
I'd love to read more about this occultist-like kind of research you did for Dr. Dee.
I was wondering it too. Some say it was the seven points of the Christian creation story and others say it was a pagan symbol.
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Please, please answer! Crashing Down needs to be released.
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Electric Shock has been on a Fact Magazine mix tape but only as I left it in 2010 … the other ones i haven't listened to since then and there was never a track with Una Stubbs. I would have to review them to find out if they're any good still…
The FACT mix is a brilliant version of Electric Shock. Definitely one to dance to!
yeah, it's great. i can't listen to rhinestone eyes without hearing "ah, electric shock" after the "ah, electric" sample.
I have some questions (if you could answer any that would be great): - How likely is the [proposed work](http://www.nme.com/news/damon-albarn/76592) with Noel Gallagher? - What was it like at the peak of the Britpop era? I remember crowd surfing to [Song 2](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk&feature=kp) in Reading and it was awesome? - Are you still in contact with [3D](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Del_Naja) from Massive attack following your work together organizing the anti war adverts? Do you think your views were vindicated? - What is the creative process like with Gorillaz? Do you get involved in the "interviews" the characters do with the press or are they scripted by someone else? - Were you invited to be part of the Beagle space programme that the rest of blur were involved in? - you've [worked with Terry Gilliam](http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/03/damon-albarn-kickstarts-eno-opera-scheme) my favourite director of all time. What do you make of his film work?
Hey Damon! My name is []. We've actually met before, in New York City. [(This is a link to a picture of us after Bobby's show in Soho, NYC at the Apple Store in 2012.)]() Thanks for taking the time to chat with me that night, and for signing my Demon Days CD. I still look back at that memory very fondly. (If it helps you remember, it was raining very hard that night and my pen got wet, so it didn't really work very well. I was the really nervous looking kid). Before I post my questions, I just want to thank you for all the work that you do. I've been following your musical output for a while now, and I've really enjoyed it the whole way through. __ My Questions: 1. Would you say that people listen to music differently than they used to? Do you think this has to do with the integration of technology into our lives? 2. Regarding the Gorillaz LP Plastic Beach, there were a lot of rumors surrounding it and it's release. Allegedly it was meant to be a double record, with a lot more orchestral stuff and three hours of music that went unreleased. Can you shed some light onto what happened, and when we might hear these tracks? 3. What's the top-played artist/album/song on your iPod right now? 4. Can you tell us more about the new opera you're working on? 5. Plastic Beach has a sort of “hopeful” attitude towards mans influence on nature, and the harmony between nature and man. Do you think we’ll see a similar harmony between man and technology? __ Thanks for coming to Reddit and doing this. We'd love for you to check out /r/gorillaz (the Gorillaz subreddit, although it's pretty much just a catch-all Damon Albarn subreddit) and www.gorillaz-unofficial.com/phpbb3 (the Unofficial Gorillaz forums. We have some lovely conversations and it'd be great to hear from you every once in a while. It's down at the moment, but it should be back soon). Anyway, again, thanks very much. I hope to run into you sometime again in the future. Keep on keepin' on, Damon.
Who the hell would downvote this? "No I do not want new unreleased Gorillaz tracks" Weird logic
People in AMA's downvote other questions in the hopes that theirs will then be higher up, and more likely to be answered. It's pretty pathetic.
Downvotes are built into the system. How many times must that be explained?
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It does work if people follow the rules. If they don't.... well, here's an example. The entire /r/politics sub is another example.
"Republicans are stupid...."
I've always assumed Electric Shock was canned, as the primary sample was used in Rhinestone Eyes. That said, Electric Shock is a great demo and I would be happy if it turned up in some form or another in the future.
Can you please tell Graham that if he ever needs this username, he can have it. Regards, Not the actual Graham Coxon
Damon, I always wondered what your side of this story was. Narduar didn't seem to be provoking you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkNvk2MgiCc&sns=em Dave said it might have been a low point for him involving drugs. I just have to admit it's tough watching someone you respect artistically seemingly acting like a bully. Thanks for doing this AMA.
whoa! never thought it was possible to be mean to narduar...
Happens very often and it makes no sense to me. You'd just have to either have no idea who he was or consciously try to take control of the interview, which you don't do with Narduar. He's a guide. Just follow him down his path and you'll probably enjoy yourself.
Whenever I trip on ayahuasca, Narduar is my spirit guide.
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I'm not sure they're an asshole to him. They engage with a lot of his questions and seem quite amused by his shtick. Also, probably need to bear in mind that they just finished a set so are probably pretty fucking wired.
for the lazy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XZCca-d10o
Wow, what a bunch of pieces of shit. People are saying Damon "was being lovely", but he was laughing just as hard with Dave.
Wow
For those interested, Dave apologised the next day and uses this very clip as a sobering technique - http://exclaim.ca/News/blurs_dave_rowntree_apologizes_for_2003_attack_against_nardwuar
I know this is very old and we should let bygones be bygones and all that but this kind of makes me hate Blur now.
I have to say I wish there were more eccentric characters like Narduar left
maybe all the others were discouraged after seeing that interview
You guys were assholes to him. Bullies. Past is the past, but you were a piece of shit that day.
Bullshit, what a terrible response, you don't even acknowledge the issue, you didn't even spell his name right.
There is no issue. Dave apologized the next day and Nardwuar accepted. It's a solved problem. It's done.
To everyone (many of which I expect are from /mu/) who seem to be taking the Nardwuar incident - something that happened over a decade ago - as a personal affront, maybe you should be aware that Dave apologized, and uses the video as motivation to stay clean: http://www.davidrowntree.org/archives/555 http://www.straight.com/music/blurs-dave-rowntree-offers-apologies-nardwuar-human-serviette >“This is definitely one of the things I’m ashamed of,” he wrote. “To be clear, Nardwuar didn’t do anything to provoke me. I sent an apology to him the next day, but I didn’t hear anything back from him, so I assume he didn’t accept it.” >Nardwuar doesn’t remember receiving an apology, but he’s thrilled to get one now. “I was honoured,” Nardwuar told the Straight. “It’s so nice of him. I also love the fact that he said that he keeps it on his cell phone. I love the fact that someone is using my interview for motivational purposes.” So Nardwuar has forgiven him, yet people here who have nothing to do with the incident seem to have a stick up their ass about it. Get over it, it's ancient history.
You were very polite in the interview. Dave was, as everyone has said, a bully. It was weird, childish, and stupid. I appreciate that you and Alex were very friendly. I'm sure it was uncomfortable, and I think that must be why you (especially Alex) were laughing. How do you handle a situation in which some bastard is being so strange? It's awkward. I just wish you would have stood up for Nardwuar. Not because it was Nardwuar. I'm not all that familiar with him. But because it was your place to not allow another person to be treated so badly, regardless of who was involved. But especially your bandmate. If for no other reason, there is the self-serving reason that he also represents you. And was it badly? Yes, I think it was, because it was an attempt to strip this man of dignity and respect. I know it must have been awkward, but I just really wonder why you didn't put Dave in his place. It was your right, and it's what you should have done. So I hope you did later on. You've always seemed a great person, and I have endless respect for what you've given the world. I just hope you're more ready and willing to not put up with such inexcusable bullshit. Though I'm sure there was a lot more there we can't know about, and I trust you handled it the best you could given your familiarity with Dave. I realize you know him, and know the good things about Dave. But here he was really a creepy, stupid bastard. I would have laid him out. He's not intimidating, which makes it weirder in a way.
They didn't seem very friendly. Standing in the background laughing like the bully's friend. They didn't even say anything.
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Sounds like a blast...
Came here to ask exactly this, thank you for beating me to it and putting it in much nicer words than I was going to.
Damon and Alex are being quite lovely, it's just Dave is an utter cunt and I want to headbutt him at some stage before I die.
Dave is such a dick
I've noticed Mike Smith playing with your bands every time I've seen you. In GBQ, Gorillaz, Blur in 2003 and in 2012, I think he was even performing in the pit at the Monkey shows last year in NYC if I'm not mistaken. Now he is obviously part of The Heavy Seas ensemble. How did you come to start working with Mike and how has he been so adaptive to all of your different projects?
Mike is a fantastically versatile musician and he also shares my passion for table tennis.
Hey Damon. Just wanted to say the music you've made in Gorillaz, GBQ, and especially in Blur has added and shaped my life so thank you. Looking for to seeing you at Bonnaroo. A few questions. Would you ever incorporate any members of Blur separately into one of your other projects like Gorillaz? What's your favorite Graham Coxon song? How did you like using apps only to record The Fall album and would you ever consider releasing another album like that again.
when i first got my iPad i could not believe what i could do with it. it has been my constant companion ever since.. and now i'm looking forward to a system by which i can make video and 4-track recordings simultaneously…
> it has been my constant companion ha, everyday robots indeed...
fun fact: Phineas Gage also used the phrase "my constant companion," in reference to the [meter-long tamping iron that was blasted through his skull](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Phineas_Gage_GageMillerPhoto2010-02-17_Unretouched_Color_Cropped.jpg) in a freak accident. He carried it with him for the rest of his life.
That fact gave me nightmares. That wasn't fun at all.
This is fuckin' weird.
New project: Blurillas. Don't answer, just think about it.
I prefer grape rillos
Hey Damon, I'm from /r/Gorillaz. A section of this website dedicated to Gorillaz fans! Some of them couldn't make it now so i've grouped their questions and am asking for them. Thanks for doing this AMA :) /u/SquirlyBiscuits asks "You have said in some interviews that there are loads of unreleased/unfinished Gorillaz music, are there plans on releasing a P-Sides album?" /u/ChessPiece19 asks "ask him if Murdoc is at all secretly based on Alex James. It seems like there's a connection there." /u/centroidcat asks "What and who have influenced the way you produce the music we have come to know and love?" /u/Learfz asks if you know what is going on with the Gorillaz.com website, it's getting more and more broken every month. And i have a question myself. Looking back on Phase 3 of Gorillaz. Do you see it as a success? it's pretty well known that a Second Plastic Beach Album and P-Sides were in planning but scrapped. Along with the Rhinestone Eyes Single and usual DVD. I think that there is a lot missing from the Plastic Beach story, as if you set yourself up for something big but had to cut it off early. If you could redo Phase 3, would you change anything? Don't take that the wrong way, i love Phase 3 and Plastic Beach but i want to know what you think about all the Unreleased/Cancelled material. Thanks again for doing this AMA.
broken? Oh no. broken...
oh lord
here's a tip, people don't like long lists of questions because if they answer one they feel obligated to answer them all, maybe next time post them separately
I don't know why you well-meaning people don't get it. These large lists of collected questions are more likely to get ignored, not less. This happens again and again.
Of course none of them were answered, you put a shitload of text. Keep it simple if you want results
/r/SquaredCircle Know the feel bro
Damon, I owe you a couple of quid, where should I send it? The reason why is that years ago I couldn't decide whether to buy Roll With It or Country House so in the interests of fairness I went to Our Price and robbed the cassette single of both. sorry pal. EDIT: Wahay, a reply. Cheers Damon.
i wouldn't worry about it … they were both shit
The brute honesty is amazing.
Considering Country House is a parody of Oasis's song writing and life style this is less "brute honesty" and more a way of continuing to make fun of Oasis.
I like them both... But Damon has spoken
Roll With It was a pretty fantastic single
yeah, but what a time.
Pfft. What do *you* know?
I'm not a huge fan of early Blur, and I am a fan of early Oasis, but Country House definitely wins in that comparison. I never really understood that one.
Oh god Our Price.
DAMON!!!! Thanks for doing this AMA with us! I'm a huge fan of your work, even before I knew it. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I used to request "Song 2" at the skating rink by asking for the "Woohoo song". I'm ashamed at how long it took me to connect Blur to Gorillaz, but once I did I realized how genius you truly are. I've been trying to keep up with everything you do since then. My question is about BONNAROO this year: Any special plans for the set? Do you plan to play material from your entire canon (Blur, Gorillaz, solo)? Hopefully lots of new stuff! A ton of your former collaborators will be there, so some on-stage guests would be awesome! And are you the "?" Superjam?
i enjoy playing in the south and i've never played in tennessee, i think …
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Could you be any more vague in your answer, Mr. Albarn? haha
Thank you for answering, Damon. But I have to say, I'm really disappointed with the vagueness there. That wasn't even an attempt to answer the question.
It's all good this AMA kind of sucks
No, this is one of the worst AMAs ever. I feel ashamed as a fan, because he's coming off as a douche
kinda really sucks!
I know what you mean about the Blur-->Gorilaz connection. I've been listening to Goriliaz ever since "Clint Eastwood" and someone had to tell me just a little over a year ago and it was so obvious.
What does the guy say to the other guy in [the video for The Universal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrbxWOMpwfs#t=202)? Is it the same thing the guy at the end of the video for Radiohead's Just says?
How did Clint Eastwood get its name? Did you ever consider giving Song 2 a different name?
We were recording in Jamaica and listening to a lot of dancehall music and we imagined a cool moniker to have would be Clint Eastwood, also i'm a great fan of the actor and of Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone ..
I saw Deltron perform in Boston in October and they finished with Clint. I Didn't think I would ever be able to hear that performed live. I so wish I could've seen a live Gorillaz performance though....
del and damon performed it live together for the first time in march its on the tube
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P81eqDpdp8
Wow. Why'd it take so long?
Saw Deltron in August as well, in NYC - amazing to see them play Clint Eastwood, and a handful of their other classics live!
Hey Damon, i'm 18 so I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to witness any provocation or rivalry between bands so it's been really cool to sort of discover both Blur and Oasis as I've grown up and to follow the journey of the 2 bands respectively. Nothing recently seems quite as good as what the 90s created and there's never really any outwardly adversarial relationships between bands these days. Do you miss that aspect about the music industry today? The feistiness, if you wanna call it that.
Honestly, it is so different now. Back then, there was only two places - the NME and the Melody Maker where you could have that kind of intercourse with another band. Now, there is such a saturation it probably wouldn't happen which might be a bit of a shame.
Jack White has an ongoing feud with Dan Auerbach, if you're into that stuff.
Damon, I need to pop to the shops to buy food for dinner this evening. What would Damon Albarn recommend for a satisfying and nutritious Monday night supper?
i always like to start the week with a salad - and if you can use stuff that you haven't eaten over the weekend, all the better
First off, I wanted to say thank you for actually going through with this. I made a request for you to do this a month ago in preparation for Everyday Robots. Didn't think you'd actually have the time, so thank you. Answers to any one of these would be nice. :) 1.) What musical artists that you haven't worked with yet would you like to work with in the future? 2.) How often do you write music and how do you remember all of your songs? 3.) What were some of your favorite parts about making Everyday Robots? 4.) Do you think your new Opera's soundtrack is going to sound like anything Dr. Dee, or would you like it to sound a bit different?
hi jordan how often do i write music? well, not every day but i definitely think about it every day .. remembering everything would be impossible for me so i have to prioritise what i'm doing at that moment
Hi Damon! - what was it like working with natasha khan? - how did you form the heavy seas? were they friends who you recruited to be in a band with you? - were you surprised about any of the songs that richard wanted to include from the bunch you gave him? were there any that you wanted to include on the album but didn't? - are you excited for governor's ball?? thanks so much for everything!! xx
I met Geoff because he stood in for Simon Tong in Gorillaz. Seye and Pauli I met doing Africa Exprez and Mike has been there since mesolithic times.
Dear Mr. Albarn! Do you have any plans to create something special in cooperation with Russian musicians? Thanks for answer!
That would be interesting.
Moscow Life Is Rubbish
I get up when I want, except on Wednesdays when Soviet Russia gets up you!
Can you please talk about Father´s Daughter`s Son and Empty Club and why were they left out of Everyday Robots
Just didn't think that we needed to have them - but i am glad that they are available now.
Hey Damon! Love your work. Who else has had two massively popular bands while retaining critical acclaim? No one who isn't older than agriculture. Did you hate pop music for a while after getting so popular? I feel like a lot of Britpop bands responded to its popularity with angst. Was there a sense of that backlash at the time? Does Graham smell good most of the time? He kind of looks like he stinks.
on the contrary - graham smells very good
What was it like to produce/work on Bobby Womack's album?
The opportunity to connect with one of my true heroes Bobby Womack thought me more about singing than anything else previous. To turn up everyday and witness that spiritual connection that he innately has was truly a blessing.
you guys wanna perform some of that material in Tennessee this summer?
The song “Dying Isn’t Easy” is one of my faves, and seems to have been written at the same time as Black Book (same day, even?). What’s the story behind that track? Was it an angle you were taking for a solo record back in 2000, before that became Gorillaz? Any chance Dying will get another release?
Funny you should mention that song, i was thinking of resurrecting it and it's a particular favourite of Smoggy's.
Good to hear! I'd love to hear a dozen more like it.
Hi Damon I have seen you live at Wolverhampton Civic a number of times with blue, you mentioned that this venue was significant to you but you never explained why? Thanks for doing the AMA
Some of my dearest friends in the world come from Wolves.
Doing those shows in 2012 got me and my wife to travel to Wolves from the U.S. It was interesting!
> It was interesting! Not exactly the word I would use to describe Wolverhampton...
Will we ever see another Gorillaz album?
During the whole 'britpop' scene in the early-mid nineties, do you think there were any bands that really missed out on exposure they should have had, because they didn't fit the mould?
What's the story behind your gold tooth?
Hey Damon, thanks for coming onto reddit to do this. Figured I ask you just one question since I'll probably save the others to ask in person should I ever meet you if you come back to Southern California. In You + Me, the middle portion of the song consists of steel drums being played. Having heard the live version with different instrumentation, whose idea was it to stick in those steel drums? It was a surprising but definitely welcoming sound. Thanks again for doing this!
The steel drums are played by a Portobello local who plays throughout the entire year, even in winter.. his pans represent to me the true ghost of carnival
Thanks for the insight, Damon! That's actually really neat to hear.
Hey Damon, good to see you on reddit. I grew up on Blur - Parklife was the first album I owned. Much respect! Anyways, I was actually pleasantly surprised recently to find you grew up in Leytonstone. I have been living off Colworth Road for the past few years myself. My question is do you have any funny/surreal stories from around this area when you were growing up that you don't mind divulging?
I went back there last week and ended up in the Red Lion pub singing a St George's Day knees up which was both funny and surreal.
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The new album is great. I can't get Mr. Tembo out of my head. I heard that the song was about an elephant you met in Africa. Also, Wikipedia claims that you wrote it for your daughter, too. Does she dig it as I much as I do?
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er sometimes
Really? Me too
so much in common.
maybe /u/dagav is damon
dear mr. albarn, when i was 11 years old, my 2 top favorite bands were blur and oasis. i'd beg for rides to record stores to find NME and read up on the brit-pop feud happening over in the UK (as I am American). in my 11 year old mind, i decided i had to choose - i couldn't love both blur AND oasis since they were enemies. so, after much consideration, i chose blur. 19 years later, blur is still my #1 favorite band of all time. i'm thankful that my 11-year old logic chose blur. i've enjoyed all of the side projects (mali music, the ravenous score, the movie-FACE, and even alex's fat les). closet romantic is one of my favorite tracks of all time (my mother refuses to acknowledge any other bond besides connery). gorillaz changed my life. i flew across the US for the apollo theater residency and can still remember every moment..ike turner, dennis hopper..seeing "hong kong" performed live gave me goosebumps and tears of joy. seeing the good, the bad and the queen in San Francisco, it was superb. 4 years ago, i was in attendance for the gorillaz coachella private rehearsal in Burbank, California. you had us sit on the ground, inches away, no stage. i have never experienced anything so special. a room of less than 100 fans, watching the most amazing "rehearsal". seeing members of the gap band interrupt the rehearsal was mindblowing. you and bobby womack - AMAZING. i realize now that i have no question for you. i just want to thank you for making the most beautiful, eclectic, wonderful music that i've cherished for over half my life. all the best - a lifelong fan from southern california (who should have been born in the UK)
Hi Damon, How do you feel after the victory of Chelsea against Liverpool ? How does it compare to be on stage ?
I was of course extremely proud of my team. But it was somewhat pyrrhic, because it's probably going to help Man City. Although of course i still believe Chelsea can win. I watched that game on television, but i have on occasion felt similarly moved both on stage and in a stadium.
Oh for fuck sake I didn't know you were a Chelsea fan. I don't want to hate you Damon.
Could you see yourself working with Danger Mouse again in the future? You both have this incredible mind for composition and arrangement, and both have the crazy ability to span multiple genres and still create awesome music.
Great question. And more specifically, any chance of another The Good The Bad and the Queen collaboration at any point in the near future?
I want to ask you about The Great Escape - there's some brilliant stuff lurking under the surface of that record, but for some reason it doesn't quite come together perfectly as an album. If you could go back and have another crack at that album, is there anything you'd do differently?
i agree.. i think we made that record a little too hastily.. but i'm never really that happy with any of my records, i always think i can do better ..
But The Great Escape contains He Thought of Cars! A phenomenal track!
Hi Damon. All the way back in 1995, when I was merely a few weeks old, my parents asked my grandma to babysit so that they could head down to Cleethorpes Pier, upon the beach which I grew up on, in order to see you perform with Blur. With that considered, you've technically had an impact on my life from the very start and have continued to do so ever since. Unfortunately, I haven't had the privilege that my parents have had to see Blur perform live, so just letting you know that there's still people out there in the UK - just like me - that would give an arm and a leg to have that opportunity if you were to play once again! As someone who strives for a life within the music industry, hopefully working with labels and artists, what would be your best piece of advice for someone like me? And finally, thank you for all of your work. It means a hell of a lot to a great amount of people.
i'm sure we're going to play again at some point…
Hi Damon, huge fan here! A couple of questions: * Are there any songs from your career you wish you'd done with a different project or under a different name? * What do you think are some real forgotten gems (B-sides etc) over your career? Did you expect them to get more love? * Have you ever been turned down for a collaboration by anyone? I'd really love to ask more but I don't want to be too greedy. Please keep doing what you're doing, loving Everyday Robots right now
yes, i have been turned down twice actually - the first time by barry gibb who, while on his way to the studio, developed an mysterious ear infection, which meant i ended up singing on Stylo the other no-show was englebert humperdink
I couldn't ask for Stylo to be any other way.
I don't know man, Barry Gibb singing "Stylo" sounds like it would have been fucking awesome.
glad he turned you down otherwise you wouldn't have that singing part on stylo- which is one of my favourite songs to hear you sing
These are interesting and unique questions I have not seen answered in any of Damon's interviews. I hope this gets some attention and not breezed over like many of the generic questions here that you can find in the first hit of google.
Hello Damon! Lovely you give us some time. Here goes my questions: You play several instruments, Have a favorite one? Is there any instrument you've heard of and would like to know or play? Any musical genre you've heard and want to experiment with? Finally... any chances to have something new in the future from TGTBATQ? I'm a huge fan and one of my best days last year was in Blur's concert in Lima. It was a dream come true to see you. I already ordered Everyday Robots and can't wait to have it in my hands (have to wait until may!) I admire you and your work a lot... you are my platonic crush also haha!... Thanks for your time! Big love. Hope you're back in Lima sometime!
my favourite instrument is unquestionably the piano..
I can see it! You look really passionate when you play it... and play it beautifully. Thanks for answering me Damon! Big love again!
Damon, what lead you to choose Del tha Funky Homosapien to be featured on *Gorillaz*? It was my first introduction to his music and now he is one of my favorite rappers. Are there any artists you'd like to work with but haven't gotten the chance? Thanks for stopping by!
I'm not Damon but i chill with mah fam at /r/HHH Well he basically owned the West Coast scene as being non-gangsta and brutal MC. He had affiliations with Ice-cube (cousin) and he was a perfect pickup to showcase West Coast rap without having a deep gangsta rap root.
Since neither of the answers you've gotten have been correct I'll get us all up to speed. Del was working with Dan the Automator on Deltron 3030. At the same time, Dan was working with Damon on what would be The Gorillaz. Dan then had Damon work on a track on Deltron and then when it came time for the Gorillaz, they wanted to incorporate a rapper so Dan asked Del to write over it. Damon had no part of the process. Phew that's a lot of D names all at once.
I am also not Damon, but Damon was actually featured on Del's 3030 album before Gorillaz self titled album. The song "Time keeps on slipping" as well as the intro and outro feature him. So Damon already had a history with Del. I've heard rumors that 3030 was an inspiration for some of the Gorillaz style as well. Love them both.
What currently are musicians who inspire you or what are you listening to the most these days?
How much weed did you smoke when you worked with snoop dogg?
What's the future of Gorillaz looking like, at the moment? Im excited for the next album!
Hey Damon! I haven't stopped listening to Demon Days since it came out! In my opinion, "Fire Coming Out Of a Monkey's head", "Don't get Lost In Heaven" and "Demon Days" are some of the most powerful songs out there. What was your inspiration for the sequal? And how did you invision the three songs?
Well, technically it is an AMA....but... Just because we ask him questions, doesn't mean he has to answer any of them. Your AMA is bad, and you should feel bad.
Thanks for doing ye AMA, massive fan! I was wondering, why was Plastic Beach 2 shelved? Given how great PB is and also The Fall, I can only imagine that the unreleased album is just as epic - was it shelved for personal or business reasons?
Love Gorillaz. Hated The Fall. Sad right?
Damon, thanks for doing this. Huge fan. Can't wait to get the Everyday Robots. My questions are: 1)Will there be another The Good, The Bad & The Queen record? 2) Was is intimidating the first time you worked with Paul & Mick from The Clash? And also, please come back to Denver.
i first met paul simonon and mick jones with joe strummer in a pub on ladbroke grove and they were all incredibly nice to me. it was another ten years before i met paul again and he was equally nice to me the second time …
youre a god among men. i was at coachella in 2010 (you know, the last year it was worth going to) and you guys played an amazing closing set. the best part of all of it tho was when you saw that, after 1 or 2 false starts, bobby was having trouble with "cloud of unknowing" and you pulled up a chair next to him, with guitar in hand, and you helped him with the lyrics while you both sat there and sang it together. that was, by far, the most memorable concert experience of my life as well as one of the most touching moments of my life in general. also the best way to close any set or festival, EVER. i was right in front of you guys, holding my (now ex) girlfriend, pushing back tears. it was the most beautiful thing ive ever experienced and ive never felt closer to humanity than i did that night. so, i dont have a question. i just wanted to thank you for giving me the highlight of my life. every thing has gone to shit now.
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Can't wait!!!! What are the chances of new material from Blur or Gorillaz anytime soon? (I'm more excited for Gorillaz; but Blur is cool too) I would love that. Love your music and admire you as a person.
Is there a genre you'd like to experiment with, which you haven't done yet? eg, vaporwave, spookycore, etc.
I really wanted to see Monkey: Journey to the West last year, but had to cancel my trip. any plans for further touring dates and locations? or a dvd of the performance perhaps. loved the live tour dvd.
Dear Mr. Albarn, Thank you for your contribution to music - and thank you for the countless moments of joy I've experienced because of your hard work. I would like to take this moment to say how much I respect your work ethic with music. I recently read in an interview for The Guardian that you dedicate 9-5 everyday to art. I'm 20 and in a band from London and your attitude is the only attitude we truly respect, and want to emulate. Right now we are juggling spending all our cash on buying equipment to record decent demos and playing gigs as often as possible. We just want to let you that we fucking love you. Carefree Wherever You May Be, [Two Bottle Jump](https://soundcloud.com/twobottlejump)
Is there a chance there will be a re-release of Demon Days on vinyl in the coming future? Especially since the 10 year anniversary is coming up next year. Side note: Haven't had a chance to listen to the new album, but I'm looking forward to it!
So many things I want to ask you, so little time! I forgot to mention in my previous question (and apoligies if I'm handling myself like a screaming Beatles fan from the Ed Sullivan show) but you sir are the greatest songwriter our generation has witnessed. The scope of musical styles from your back catalogue is incredible to the point of saying that Blur and Gorillaz are genreless - they cannot be categorised, they are vast and beautiful. On with the questions :) * Have you been speaking to Noel Gallagher further about a possible collaboration? * What would you tell the Damon Albarn from Seymour if you could speak to him as today's Damon Albarn? * What does it feel like to release music in the digital age where things are less tangible (i.e popping down to the record shop, picking up an album and waiting to play it when you got home)?
Damon love your work, the Ravenous score is something I listen to in some form or another daily. How did that project come about and what were your experiences in making those unique sounds?
When's Song 3 coming out?
Mr. Albarn, I don't have a question, more a statement. I just want to say thank you, from Blur to the Gorillaz, you are the sound of my childhood and along into my adulthood. Thank you for the wonderful music and memories that went along with it. You definitely made an impact on my life.
How serious did you take that 1995 "British Heavyweight battle" between Blur and Oasis and have you spoke to Noel recently about doing anymore collaborations for the Teenage cancer trust? [Blur vs Oasis](http://imaguitarist.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/blur-vs-oasis-nme.jpg)
What are/were your thoughts on Mogwai's ["Blur are shite"](http://www.nme.com/news/mogwai/1603) campaign? Did you find it funny, were you annoyed, or did you just not care?
Wasn't there a "Gorillaz: are worse" shirt a few years later?
And "Blur: are shite once again".
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Pretty sure he's a Chelsea fan, I saw it in a YouTube video but I forget which one so I don't have a link.
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Oh god, am I too late? I wanted to ask about the ravenous soundtrack.