I wear this because life is war! video recalls VHS. Why did you make this choice? Do you still have any at your house? Do you consider yourself a nostalgic person?
VHS is old enough to have become a style choice – It encapsulates ugliness and beauty. I got a couple maybe, have to check!
Yeah, I guess I’m nostalgic for elements of times I never lived.
I feel that your music has a strong urban dimension, as titles like The City Nowadays remark. In which ways do the cities you visit or those you have lived in influence you?
Just as much as anything else – It depends on what happens in the city!
I think that your latest album sounds like an invitation to live even though there can be anger or despair in life. Do you agree?
Yes, I’d agree with that – A lot of shitty things are happening at the moment, but what good will being suffocated by despair do?
Which role does politics play in your songwriting?
No direct role – Just as much as it does, or doesn’t, in my life in general.
Often music writers define your music “blues”, but according to me it is just one among a long list of influences that you might have had since you began to listen to music. I would enumerate indie, hip-hop, gospel, folk too (just to mention some).
That’s cool, I would kind of agree with that. But I don’t really mind what people call it – I call it postmodern blues because people kept asking me what type of music I do, so I thought that was as close enough a description as any.
You started your career playing anywhere in London, from metro stations to pubs. Which are the best memories you have of that period?
I was less cynical.
Burberry asked you to soundtrack its campaign, Fred Perry compared you to Neil Young. According to you, how can brands help musicians and music?
By paying them for their work. It’s tough out here!
Are you satisfied of this first part of your tour?
Yeah, it’s been a nice little adventure.
Recently you also played in Rome. Did you have fun?
Yes, that was a great gig!
