Meet The Artists! Badly Drawn Boy

We will be asking all our performers the same set of questions over the next few months.

First up, our headliner, Badly Drawn Boy.

Perhaps best known for the Mercury Award winning album ‘The Hour of Bewilderbeast’ and the soundtrack to Nick Hornby’s film ‘About A Boy’, Damon Gough (AKA Badly Drawn Boy) continues to write and produce new music and perform live to sell-out audiences.

What was the first record, cd or book that you bought?

The first album I bought was a compilation of theme tunes. BBC sporting themes, all themes from sporting programs like Ski Sunday, Snooker and Match of the Day. I loved it because you heard the rest of the song that you didn’t hear on the TV.

Where did you buy it from?

I bought it from WHSmith in Bolton. I was 9 years old.

Is there a piece of music / artist you love which you feel not enough people know about?

There’s a soundtrack to the film called Walker written by Joe Strummer of The Clash.

A song on it called Latin Romance, which I particularly like, not many people have heard of this soundtrack or film. When I met Joe Strummer and I told him I loved it, he was delighted and we became friends, largely because I loved that song. No one had ever said that to him before.

What was the first gig you went to?

First gig I ever went to was Bruce Springsteen in 1985, Newcastle football ground, St. James’ Park so I was about 15 years old. I went with my Mum, my older brother Simon and younger sister Gemma, so that was a pretty big experience for a first gig in a stadium. 

What is the best gig or performance you’ve been to?

Nirvana at Reading Festival in 1992, headline on the Sunday. The fact it became the last time they played in the UK in retrospect, made it a pretty legendary performance. 

What are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve revisited the album Bone Machine by Tom Waits. I love this album, particularly the song ‘Who are you?’ Which I think is one of his best.

Are you reading a book at the moment, if so, what?

I’ve just started reading a book by Warren Ellis, famously one of Nick Cave’s main collaborators. The book that he wrote about Nina Simone. ‘Nina Simone‘s Gum’ which is really interesting. 

Thanks Damon – see you in August!

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