Elton John and Damon Albarn talk Song Machine - Rocket Hour on Apple Music
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- October 24, 2020
Damon Albarn joins Elton John for this week’s episode of Rocket Hour on Apple Music 1 to coincide with the release of the new Gorillaz album, ‘Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez’
In the wide-ranging chat with Elton, Damon talks about when he started work on the album, how he played piano like Elton when he first started writing songs with Blur, his niece playing trumpet on the Gorillaz track ‘Strange Timez’, how a Rod Stewart song inspired him to work in music, and how Nigerian musician Tony Allen changed his life. Elton also reveals that he thinks Damon is the “most interesting British musician” and he doesn’t think there’s any other British composer that’s made music like him.
Elton on Damon being the “most interesting British musician”
I have to tell the people at home why I love you so much, and don’t get embarrassed, it’s because out of Blur came Gorillaz, came The Good, the Bad & the Queen, came Monkey, which was an opera way way back, and as an artist and composer I’ve always loved the fact that you did things that you loved and you explored different music and you went for it. I don’t think there’s any other British composer that’s ever done that quite like you … I have to hand it to you, you are for me the most interesting British musician because you’re always going off and doing something and throwing everything behind it … it’s incredible that you’ve gone from one of the most successful bands of all time, and by the way the last Blur album was a masterpiece as far as I’m concerned, and it’s the joy of playing with wonderful musicians that you seem to love, and I really admire that.
Damon on the start of Blur and playing piano like Elton
Elton: I tend to go, as a piano player, all over the shop with chord sequences and stuff.
Damon: I started off at just the beginning of Blur, I couldn’t play the guitar, I only played the piano. My songs were, as you say, quite sort of all over the place, and I sort of had to stop playing the piano for a while because I just kept writing songs like Elton John and I had to write something else.
Damon on Rod Stewart’s version of ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’ inspiring him to write
When I started thinking that maybe that’s what I wanted to do was write songs, that was one of those songs. I remember one particular journey where I walked from my village into Colchester, which was like a six mile walk, and I had it on cassette and I must have listened to it like 40 times on that journey … That sort of obsession was how I deviated from classical music … You have to have that kind of obsessive nature if you’re going to learn to do things.
Damon on his 9-year-old niece’s trumpet playing on Gorillaz’s ‘Strange Timez’ featuring Robert Smith
All I sent him was a drum beat and not really much chordal information, but this mad freestyle trumpet solo from my niece who was in lockdown. She’s only nine! She’s absolutely brilliant, I let her go nuts on it, she’s got two or three notes, but boy does she play. And he loved it, and I thought isn’t that wonderful my 9-year-old niece and Robert Smith making tunes together, it’s lovely.
Damon on when he started working on the new Gorillaz album
Well it started last October. I just want to make music when I feel like it as opposed to sort of dedicating two or three months to making a record, and that’s pretty much how I did it. And then it just got to May last year, I mean May this year, I was going back in time actually just like Boris’ new slogan ‘Build, Back, Better’. Get yourself a time machine and meticulously rebuild the past.
Damon on musician Tony Allen changing his life
I obviously wanted to mention Tony because he sadly passed this year, he really was truly one of my best best friends and I learnt so much, such a beautiful human being, from him … he changed my life really when I met him, he profoundly changed my life.
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Damon doesn't get enough credit for the actual genius that he is. The longevity, the artistry, the lyrics, the diversity of the music, he really is a living legend.
Indeed. Strange time to be alive, but I'm glad it's at the same time as Albarn
After hearing Demon Days I was convinced of his genius. All his work is marvelous really
Truly. Blur and Gorillaz are legendary and the Good The Bad and the Queen ain't to shabby either. I feel when he's Elton's age he'll get a biopic.
Albarn is one of my biggest inspirations for sure
He receives the credit he deserves, which is so much credit, he is a genius and he's a god for many people.
I love how different their houses are
Fr
@b butters no it’s the new kong studios
Damon is in his barn/studio in the grounds of his house in Devon.
kkkk
lmao true.
elton john calling you the most interesting british artist has to be an absolute honor
when elton was expressing to damon how he's the most interesting british musician, i couldn't stop smiling and nodding my head. the fact he went from a successful band in the 90s to ANOTHER successful band effortlessly.. it baffles me. not to mention how young he was when he started writing music. plus all his other projects like TGTB&TQ, his solo album, his recent work at Le Vol du Boli in paris.. he's really the most interesting artist i've ever came across. elton took the words right out of my mouth.
Yup.
This interview was Great. I hope Damon never stops making music.
same
Straight fax no printer
Damon: * dies*
Damon: * skeleton music*
I’m not entirely sure he can stop
if and when he stops making music, he’s going down as a GOAT
Cool to see Elton is such a big fan of Damon and all of his projects. It's almost hard to believe that he has so many great songs with different groups and as a solo artist. Here in the states he's not the most well known musician. Gorillaz are popular here and Song 2 is still played on the radio, but outside of that he doesn't get the attention he deserves.
I second this, entirely!
He’s not the most well known in the states? Bro you trippin. Everyone knows who Rocket Man is
@@stormyweraf7923 Damon, not Elton.
Right yes!
Damon is very well known, because Gorillaz is massively popular. He wasn't as well known maybe a decade ago, because not everyone knew he was the one behind Gorillaz, but most fans know this now.
This is so wholesome, two great musicians gushing about music and about each other.
Yes, it is
It's really nice
Two amazing musicians/composers who are refreshingly "ordinary" and have obviously given their egos a good talking to!!
I dont find elton john gushing to be wholesome on any level WHATSOEVER 😳🤢🤪
Damon is the sexiest 52 year old out there.
He doesn’t even look 52
@@AndroidBguz5
My mom is 60 but she looks 40. Same with Damon- he's in his 50's but he looks early 40's
SI
honestly tho
He's 52 🧍♂️ I've been telling my mom and sisterhow big of a crush on this man from his early days to now and I didn't know he was 52!? I thought he was 40-45
I can't stop laughing when Damon speaks, I always feel like his charisma is exploding at the seams.
I forgot how captivating Damon’s voice is
He's got the voice and charisma of a story teller. I could listen to this man share his tales for an entire evening.
Two geniuses
Exactly!
Not really. Decent artist who have shown consistent standards. No more.
@@liborsionko for me they are geniuses
@@liborsionko You don't know what the word genius means.
Oh my look at Damon‘s hair, it‘s perfect!
Lol it really is
@@WatchDaBoss Mullet
It's called the "Australian"
@@WatchDaBoss Dog's breakfast, or alternatively, rodent habitat.
i have this hair
I wonder if Damon lives in a house a very big house in the country.
Fun fact he’s actually planning on leaving London for good and living permanently in his Devon house
looks like he's living in a flat, a very big flat with cctv
@Michael David and does he has a frog in his chest though too?? 😁😜
Meanwhile Elton is living in a castle.
Watching afternoon repeats..
I love how in every other interview Damon acts like this godfather who knows everything about music but when he interviews Elton John he talks as if he’s in the presence of a king.
I'm not gay, But i would take a nap with Damon Albarn
wouldn't we all
I mean who would give up a chance like that.
I am gay and I would too. Cis female. :)
Same here
i‘m gay. i mean i‘d also let him take me lol but if i had to choose bruh the nap for sure
Damon Alburn is slowly becoming 2D
Pretty sure he always has been 2D
Wait, he's all 2d?
bruh, have you seen young Albarn? That's his top peak 2D years.
If you close your eyes is Elton John interviewing 2D.
😂
2D’s voice is extremely different lmao
0:56 im shocked that elton john likes unknown mortal orchestra
And that he doesn't know Leee John hahahaha
Elton's got a really versatile music taste
That's what I said. I'm super cheesing right now haha
Nothing like Gorillaz to bring people together
Reg is a complete music nerd. I remember him being one of the first screaming from the rooftops about Lewis Taylor's incredible debut album in 95. Don't know Lewis? Please check it out.
man elton's hair is so satisfying to look at for some odd reason
It's a hair-piece.
*wig
Elton's remarks about Damon is exactly what I always thought about Damon. He's sort of a pursuer of all the feelings.
Damon's 52 year old sexiest voice ever. What an artist and still so handsome witty and funny lad 🥰🥰
Hearing Elton say Slowthai’s name gives me feels for some reason. Like...the legend is aware of slow Thai. Amazing
Unknown Mortal Orchestra on a Gorillaz track and Elton claims that’s one of his favorite bands?!?! How’d that slip under my nose??
Gucci Mane is his favourite rapper
@@pepbeats7673 Bullshit, really?? Where’d he say that?
This was such a lovely, lovely conversation. Putting aside my schoolgirl flutters over both of these charmers, I was impressed by how knowledgeable and passionate they are about a wide variety of music way past their milieu.
The only thing that could have made this even more incredible would have been to have Andy Partridge and Robyn Hitchcock join in for a moment at the end.
Hello how are you doing today..
Damon's cuteness overload just never wanes... it just feeds itself back
The difference in decor is fascinating
Saw blur in New York 1997 at K Rock festival with foo fighters and bush. Thats when howard stern was howard stern. Anyhow that day made me a believer on how a band should sound. BLUR just took it a step further. Unreal. I'll never forget that day.
Elton looking friggin adorable fanboy-ing over Damon 😂😖 Pink Phantom is my fav right now thx yo!
For me, STYLO is one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard, and the video, well, what can I say. Inspired. Blur was good too.
Their smiles are so iconic
What strikes me the most about this interview is the immense respect Elton & Damon have for each other. These are two men who are masters of their craft and there is a real sense of mutual admiration. There is no clash of egos. It's just two men who deeply love to make music. I'm glad they had a chance to collaborate. Perhaps, we'll see another collaboration down the road where they can be in the same studio hammering a song or two out.
Elton: "OOOOOOO-OOOOOO--OOOO-AAAAA--AHHHH-AAAA-AAAA--AAAHHHH-OOOO-OOO-OOOOO"
Damon: "WOOO-HOOO!!!!!"
I love Damon ... what a genius.
Can't get much better than Elton John calling you the gratest composer in your home country. ❤️
I’m totally obsessed with Damon.. since Blur I can’t get enough 🥰😍
I blame Damon Albarn for my 1990's multicolored bead necklace obsession. He always looked SO GOOD in his.
@@juanitacarrollyoung2979 I know right???
Elton does not look 70
All natural too.
Lol.
that's because he is 73.
Damon Albarn and Thom Yorke collab. Imagine the possibilities.
My mind just rings on the first second just hearing Elton introduce himself.
He's so awesome :)
Please collaborate again or make an album, there is a big mutual respect and admiration between them its amazing 😭
Just love when two musical titans cross paths
Their voices are heavenly
DAMON is a genius, he deserves a lot more!
Loved a bit of Damon since 1991...
There is so much beauty in gorillaz and so much potential and damon just keeps knocking it out of the park
Damon is a genius of music all over the world, they have to make him a monument and declare him as a great genius of music and humanity.
Best Damon interview ever. Well done, Sir Elton!
Elton should do a cover of The Universal.
If Elton John told me I was the most interesting [blank] musician I'd probably just start sobbing
It’s odd to see Damon sober
Love that he mentioned Monkey
And Ravenous 😍
Damon's got to be top 3 British songwriters
Ehh there's just way to many good British songwriters to say
@@steveharvey3489Nah, he’s up there
Albarn will be the next Elton in the future musical hall of fame!
happy to see you again damon.Excellent emmision
Elton is like his Uncle whole lives in a very big house in the country..
Damon has 100% 2-D's energy
Finalmente um BR
@@Srdokarma UAHAHAUHU mt dificil ver Br comentando mesmo
They are actually the complete opposite
Damon gives off major 2D vibes and Jamie gives off major Murdoc vibes
Honestly, I didn't even realize that Elton had so much energy. I thought he was old in the 1970's. It's almost as if he's been sucking the energy from the youth. Good interview.
Elton John is completely right - when you really think about it, on your own by blur has so fucking much going on in it, and that's just one sound Damon has been exploring. I still bump gorillaz s/t all the time, it fucking blew my mind as a kid when I found out why 2D sounded like that bloke from blur. I really enjoyed this interview
The Good The Bad and The Queen is a Grade A project by Damon. Check it out if you haven't yet
Go back ist know my favorite ❤
Is he 52? I am 23, I would take a nap with him as well
i am 17 and i would to tho
Elton John and Damon Albarn.
Two musical geniuses. Love them both.
I love you Damon 🥺
Elton is amazing.
Efi will be very happy about this
@@sarcirinsdaefarin3950 haha
I gotta move to the UK I love their slight passive aggression
I love how much Damon sounds like Danny the Drug Dealer.
Elton sounds younger.
Не looks younger, too
His mullet 💖
David bowie of this generation full stop.
i dare to say he is even more talented
@@gualadupechaniz4266 agree, he surpassed him
Bollox Brett Anderson is the Bowie of this generation. Bowie loved suede !
@@ronniemoe5657Damon has reinvented himself in same way bowie did and tried different styles of music I don't remember Brett doing that
@@alansmart5560 doesn’t matter Brett got a better back catalogue of songs. And I compared him to Bowie by his style, glam, androgynous etc. Damon might have stole Brett’s girlfriend but he can’t take the crown.
I want to hug Damon ☺️☺️☺️
they don't have the same hairdresser, for sure!
But two of the best songwriters from the UK, definetely.
Damon I love you man
I love Damon
It was so awesome to hear Elton saying that UMO is one of his favourite bands
Listening to 2 Legends gets me through the day!
Big contrast to Fantanos interview hahaha this was great
Two good blokes
Favourite line 'you should cut down on your pork life mate'. 💚
Hello how are you doing today..
i think damon albarn should revieve the sir tittle as well he is such a genius
Well said Elton John i totally agree
What a great Interview!!
Excellent!!
Two Brilliant human being 👌
I love these guys
Damon is so freaking awesome
Elton is very nervous, Damon laid back
Damon is almost definitely stoned haha. I think Sir Elton is just star struck, he respects Damon greatly.
Rod Stewart's First Cut Is The Deepest was my first 7" Single I ever bought..it was a double A side actually with I Don't Want To Talk About It
They look like a straight son with his gay father just chilling
Damon is bi btw
Is Damon growing a mullet
I love how they mentioned bojo and what a tool he is haha, it's just lovely that so many of my favourite musicians seem to care so much about other people
Damon looks like a goofy genius, n I luv him since 2005 haha)). I bought 2nd album of Gorillaz n fell in luv, but later I understood I prefer Blur n Damon's personal projects, than Gorillaz
Man Damon should just have returned the compliments at the end.
I agree, but to be fair, Damon doesn't need to compliment him because he's friggin Elton John
That would have been too predictable and obvious. Damon doesn't need to and Elton is big enough to not need that.
I want to know when his collaboration with CASISDEAD is coming out that will be beyond epic very original both artists
Fingers crossed that conversation will strike that oddly titled Blur b-side :D
Elton John looks younger than Damon Albarn here. lol
Lol
He looks at least 120 years old
@@Gorgonzola0987 which one? Lmao
@@steveharvey3489 Ol’ Johnny boy of course. Looks like something from pans labyrinth, god bless him.
Plastic surgery, a facelift and a hair toupee can do that.
Sir Elton is a great commentator; I must say.
Very curious to hear 1st cut; Damon style.
Damon is so much like Matts Wilander these days, can't say that Elton is the best replacement for Barbara Schett.
Damon outclasses Noel easily in my book. One gathered steam whilst the other ran out of it.
you guys are legends
It's sad that you won't be coming back to Australia again
1:33 Elton John mandibuleando como un campeón
Damon Coxon