Blur would never have made it to their third album – the breakthrough release Parklife – in the current climate of record company cutbacks, erstwhile band member Alex James claimed today.
In an interview with Q Radio, he voiced his fears about the lack of investment and vision from labels which will stifle creativity in future.
James said record companies were bound to miss out on potentially huge acts because of the unwillingness to foster new talent – and he said Britpop would never have happened in these conditions.
He said: “I think Blur would definitely have got dropped after their second album. In the current climate we’d have got dropped after Modern Life Is Rubbish because it didn’t sell many copies.
“But you know Britpop wouldn’t have happened, which is why it’s kind of scary that record companies haven’t got much cash flying around at the moment. They’re less likely to take a risk and you know the next big thing always comes from way left of centre. “
While Damon Albarn has talked recently of a Blur reunion in the future, James told Q Radio’s QPM presenter Samanthi that he was inclined to move into orchestral music for any of his own future releases.
The musician, who is also a presenter for Classic FM and took part in BBC2’s Maestro, said: “I think I’m going to make a record with an orchestra. Since I moved to the country I’ve suddenly strated to like the sound of violins and French horns and started to hate the drums actually. I’ve gone right off drums. They’re too noisy.”
He said his tastes had matured: “There’s a part of you that always always wants to still be the Arctic Monkeys or keep thinking that pop music is cool, but there comes a point when you have to throw away your jeans and your trainers and start admitting to yourself that you’re too old for Lily Allen. But there’s a whole kind of other music out there … you know I’m 40 this year and I’m suddenly discovering Beethoven, Brahms and Bizet.
James added that pop music was not really relevant to his stage of life: “It’s a language of youth culture – I’m married I’ve got four children, I live on a farm. You know pop music is about ‘I love you forever let’s run away together’. I’ve done that bit, I’ve run away forever and I’m on the next thing now which is ‘look, we’ve run away together, here we are surrounded by nappies. - where’s the violins?’ But you know it’s hard to let go. “
You can hear the interview on Friday’s QPM show from 6pm.
1:05 PM | 03/12/2008
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Although I'm not at the point/age of dismissing pop music, I can understand where he's coming from....but you can't deny another BLUR reunion, ALEX!!! Hopefully that happens and please, please, please do a gig in Los Angeles!!!
Posted by FOREVER-BLUR at 7:09 AM | 04/12/2008 | Report Abuse
Although I'm not at that point/age of dismissing pop music, I can understand where he's coming from...but you can't pass up a BLUR re-union, ALEX! Hopefully that happens and BLUR plays a show in Los Angeles!!
Posted by FOREVER-BLUR at 7:12 AM | 04/12/2008 | Report Abuse
Imagine your mother being executed at the age of three, your father having a new wife right after your mother’s execution, and being queen after the death of your-half brother and half-sister. Elizabeth I of England does not have to imagine this. Her mother was executed for high treason, adultery, and incest. She took reign after her half-sister died. She refused to marry and said that she was married to England. She was an icon because she kept strong with so many problems.
Posted by nick at 1:57 PM | 10/12/2008 | Report Abuse
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