‘Blur means everything to me… I’ve realised they’re my brothers,’ says bassist Alex James
FOR Blur bassist Alex James, 2023 represents a “vintage” and “magical” year for the Britpop band.
Reuniting for the first time since 2015, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Dave Rowntree and Alex went “all in”.
The year was capped by two momentous shows at England’s home of football, Wembley Stadium, but also yielded an acclaimed studio album, The Ballad Of Darren.
Now that the dust has settled, it’s time for reflection.
We’ve already seen the release of an intimate fly-on-the-wall documentary about the reunion, Blur: To The End, and a live double album.
Still to come next month is a cinema outing for the two-hour concert film Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium.
And, in December, Alex’s book Over The Rainbow: Tales Of An Unexpected Year will be published.
Right now, however, he’s masterminding The Big Feastival, an annual celebration of music and food, on his Cotswolds farm.
Taking time out from hectic last-minute preparations for the three-day event, which starts today, Alex talks to Simon Cosyns about all things Blur.
Simon Cosyns: I’LL start with the big question. What does being a member of Blur mean to you?
We were called to a meeting at Damon’s studio to see if we could still hack it. We literally hadn’t all been in a room together for years.
Alex James: It means everything to me. The reunion exceeded all expectations. Reconnecting in the way we did to do our best ever shows at this stage in our lives, I realised that they’re my brothers.
Not a day goes by when I don’t think about them. And even if one did, someone else would remind me of Blur anyway. So the band is a huge part of all our lives.
SC: When you got the call, “Do you want to play Wembley?”, what was your reaction?
AJ: It was a one-word answer. “Yes!”
We were called to a meeting at Damon’s studio to see if we could still hack it. We literally hadn’t all been in a room together for years.
All the gear was set up and we started playing. Five minutes later, we were doing Wembley and making an album as well. Suddenly, it all seemed really obvious — and brilliant.
SC: Was it a case of dropping everything because you’re so busy with your cheese making, the writing, the family, the festival?
AJ: If you want something done, ask a busy person. And we’re all busy. The reason we’re able to get back together the way we do is because everyone in Blur has managed to have a second life.
In our early to mid-thirties, we all needed to go off and do other things, while we were still young enough and had enough energy.
Like any marriage, you need to do things outside the marriage for it to thrive and prosper.
Incredible chemistry
SC: When you got down to Damon’s place in Devon, how did it feel to be bonding again with the other three members of Blur?
AJ: It’s amazing how the world falls away and there’s nothing except for the four of us.
It was exactly the same as our very first rehearsal [in the late Eighties] when we wrote a song that we still play today [She’s So High]. There’s always been this incredible chemistry. We were so lucky to find each other.
SC: In which ways are those guys still the same – and different – to the old days?
AJ: I suppose our lives are more complicated now. But, has anyone really changed? We’ve just become exaggerated versions of ourselves. Everybody has a role to play in the band — that’s what a band is.
SC: There’s a moment in the To The End documentary when Damon’s emotions get the better of him, listening back to The Everglades (For Leonard). Why did you think that happened?
AJ: Damon is incredible in the way that he completely throws himself into something. He has never been afraid to keep moving forward. He’s never been a look back kind of guy.
He was all in. He absolutely poured his heart and soul into the record. And I think he was just overwhelmed.
Making a new record completely changed things from being a nostalgia trip into something completely right here right now.
And it was emotional for all of us. The way everything clicked. When you listen to the backing tracks, it sounds like friends playing together.
SC: Why did the idea of playing Wembley have such a big appeal?
AJ: We’d never done it. Hyde Park has been like a home gig for us but this was the emblematic national stadium.
And, you know, it was a great story bringing these four disparate characters back together to play there.
I remember texting the tour management on the way there: “We’re on our way to Wembley.” I read it back before I sent it and, realising what I’d said, I started singing it! When I saw the arch, I went very quiet because it felt daunting. Could we still rock it?
SC: How important was the new album, The Ballad Of Darren, to this coming together?
AJ: As somebody who runs a festival, my approach has been, “Turn up, play the hits”. You’d be surprised how often bands fail to do that.
But making a new record completely changed things from being a nostalgia trip into something completely right here right now.
SC: How were the recording sessions?
AJ: On my way to the studio on that first day, I was slightly concerned, if I’m honest, because which band even likes each other 35 years in, let alone makes a half-decent record?”
I got there at 10.30am as directed and then waited for an hour for everyone else to turn up. But, by lunchtime, we had a master take in the bag.
Joyous and exhilarating
As soon as we started playing together, it was like riding a bicycle downhill. It was totally effortless. Joyous and exhilarating as it always has been — pure pleasure for me, anyway.
SC: Was there a moment when you knew you were on to something special?
AJ: It really started working when we were doing St Charles Square, the first single.
I was actually lying down playing bass on the sofa in the back of the studio. Then I was up on my feet bouncing up and down with a huge grin. And Damon was bouncing as well. I had goosebumps!
Modern Life Is Rubbish has always been my favourite because it felt like a turning point but I’ve got to say The Ballad Of Darren has a similar feeling.
SC: On another note, if push comes to shove, what’s your all-time favourite Blur album?
AJ: Modern Life Is Rubbish has always been my favourite because it felt like a turning point but I’ve got to say The Ballad Of Darren has a similar feeling. It feels like a starting point rather than a finishing point.
For the shows, we covered a lot of material be- cause we have to keep Damon interested or he’s off writing another opera before the third single’s out. We rehearsed hundreds of songs — it was wonderful revisiting them — so it’s actually really hard to pick a favourite record.
SC: What was it like getting physically into shape for the shows? You’ve talked about fitting into your Britpop pants again . . .
AJ: Absolutely horrible! I’d put on a lot of weight — I live on a farm otherwise known as a food factory. I run a food festival. I’m surrounded by chefs.
I needed to get back into shape and it was really hard work.
SC: What did the kids think of Dad returning to his rock star ways?
AJ: It was wonderful because I’ve got five teenage kids and who all thought I was an idiot — you know, seriously!
They were too young to really enjoy Blur last time. I remember looking over to the side of the stage during the last song at Hyde Park [2015] and they were all sound asleep in a little puddle on the floor.
So I didn’t know how they would respond to it this time but they absolutely loved it.
I mean, there were so many teenagers at the shows. It had been eight years since we last played and it seemed as if the band had found a whole new audience.
Best shows ever
The shows brought my family together. It’s worn off now but, for a minute, I was a cool dad again.
SC: How special were the small warm-up shows?
AJ: You see your friends and family in the audience at those. I remember my youngest daughter with her hands in the air, crying her eyes out when the lights went up. I started to cry myself. It was very emotional.
SC: One year on from Wembley, what’s your perspective on those two shows?
AJ: They were the best shows we’ve ever done. I never thought we’d top Glastonbury, 2009, but they were truly magical.
It was a band on top of their game. I don’t think we’ve ever played or sounded better and I don’t think the audience has ever been more up for it.
SC: So where does 2023 rank in the whole history of Blur?
AJ: A vintage year!
SC: And you’ve written a book (out in December) about the reunion?
AJ: Since Blur stopped being my full-time job, I’ve written a lot of newspaper columns and a few books.
So I sat down in January to write it all down because it was such a crazy, wonderful story.
Last year was truly magical. I hope we can keep doing it and keeping it special for as long as we live. And I hope that’s a very long time.
SC: Why did you call it Over The Rainbow?
AJ: I guess there was a sense of being transported to this other world — to a magical place.
SC: How’s this year’s Big Feastival, which opens today, shaping up?
AJ: There are currently 2,000 people in high-vis jackets building the biggest market town in the Cotswolds. It’s all systems go. We’ve sold out of Sunday tickets although there may be a few left for today and tomorrow — check the website. It’s tremendously exhilarating and brilliant fun. And yeah, fingers crossed the sun’s shining when you’re reading this.
SC: Is it true that chefs are more rock and roll than rock stars?
AJ: You betcha! Chefs have become a big, big deal. It’s wonderful to see thousands of people cheering as Marco Pierre White tosses a pancake.
Since I moved to the farm 20 years ago, Britain’s gone through a cultural revolution food-wise.
We ran out of food during the Second World War and it took a generation to recover. So it’s incredible to see what’s happening in British food and drink now.
Britain is probably the most exciting place in the world for food right now so it’s something to really celebrate. Farms are where food comes from. I live on one. I like a drink and I love a party. So hosting a festival sits squarely within my preoccupations!
SC: Which of this year’s music acts are you excited about?
AJ: It’s a family event. So it’s all about having a really wide range. There are heritage acts like Snow Patrol and Johnny Marr along with up-and-coming singers like Becky Hill. Then there is Ministry of Sound Classical.
And it’s not just about the music but the food and family entertainment as well.
SC: Alive or dead, who would be playing in your dream festival lineup?
AJ: Personally, I’d like to see Roy Orbison, but The Beatles would be good for tickets.
SC: With some festivals not surviving, is it hard running a successful one?
AJ: For me, Big Feastival is all about filling the farm up with everything I love. In the same way as being in a band doesn’t feel like work, this doesn’t really feel like work. I love doing it.
But now I realise that I’ve had three hours a night sleep for the last two weeks!
SC: Finally, what are your hopes for the future of Blur?
AJ: Last year was truly magical. I hope we can keep doing it and keeping it special for as long as we live. And I hope that’s a very long time.
- Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium is in cinemas from Sept 6. Tickets at blur.co.uk
- Over The Rainbow: Tales Of An Unexpected Year by Alex James is out on Dec 5
- Big Feastival, takes place from today (Aug 23-25), tickets available bigfeastival.com