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Camden man: Wannabe mechanic Graham Coxon |
Life's a beach for Coxon
INTERVIEW - Graham Coxon
GRAHAM Coxon is Camden Town institution, often seen
wandering the streets looking for non-chain coffee bars. The
former Blur guitarist quit the group in 2002.
Despite singer Damon Albarn publicly begging for his return,
he claims to have no plans for a reunion. His dad was in the
army, he was born in Germany and his sister is a nurse. He has
a website dedicated to him called Graham Coxon: You’re
So Great and We Love You.
Q: So tell me about your new album?
A: It’s my best one. It’s written in Camden, and reflects
Camden culture, which inspires everything I do, I love its eccentricity.
My first single, Standing On My Own Again, is about a relationship
that’s a sinking ship – once it’s got to that
point it’s had it.
But it’s not a soppy record, it’s mostly whining and
complaining.
Q: What about working with Stephen Street (who produced Blur’s
early stuff)?
A. He’s like my boss, he gives me some guidance. He made
me work harder in areas I needed to.
It’s a more subtle production, I write them in my front
room and record them as demos upstairs, before recording them
at the studio.
Q: What about song writing?
A: If self-acceptance goes too deep it becomes eccentricity
but there’s a confidence in that. I don’t mind people
knowing I’m confused, especially on love issues.
Q: Do you like performing?
A: A gig is like an extension of the bedroom, it’s like
being naked. It’s a weird introvert/extrovert battle, although
I’m not shy of singing anymore.
I found a performance in Oxford Street with no amplification
or mics – sitting in a room with complete silence and 200
faces looking at you – harder than 80,000 people at Glastonbury.
Q: Where do you get your hair cut?
A: By Marina and Carina at Camden Locks on Camden Road. I’m
in there everyday to chat.
Q: Where are your shoes from?
A: They’re Prince Charles shoes – he has them too.
They’re from Trickers in Jermyn Street.
Q: If you weren’t you, what would you be?
A: I’d like to be a mechanic, a shoe maker, an actor and
a novelist.
I’m just in shock at being in this bloody pop music business,
I’ll duck out soon and take a mechanic’s course.
REVIEW - Love Travels At Illegal Speeds
Graham Coxon
I JUST loved this album. For a one-time R’n’B only
girl, it had me doing the drum thing at my desk with my headphones
on everytime.
There’s not a dud track and didn’t leave my stereo
for weeks. A genuine musician, he plays all the instruments
on the album.
Best tracks on the album: I Can’t Look at Your Skin, Don’t
let Your Man Know, Tell it Like it is.
His favourite track: Don’t Believe Anything I Say, because
he’s proud of the song writing.
Apparently Coxon likes getting up to it in the bathroom and
on the beach. “Can I see you in the bathroom tonight/ Can
I see you on the beach tonight” (Don’t Let Your Man
Know). Sounds uncomfortable to me.
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