All Stars
i-D, February 2012
Converse have collaborated with the Gorillaz on a collection of Chuck Taylor All Stars featuring the band's legendary graphic images. To celebrate the release, Gorillaz have called on the musical expertise of Outkast’s Andre 3000 and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy to create a limited edition track guaranteed to get your body poppin’. So slip on your camouflage Converse, turn your speakers up high and get ready to meet the men behind spring’s biggest hit.
Contrary to popular belief, Gorillaz are so much more than a fictitious four-piece. They may be the most successful virtual band on the planet, but their universe extends to far deeper foundations than a discography of critically acclaimed albums. Conceived and created by artist Jamie Hewlett and musician Damon Albarn, now ably abetted by scriptwriter [and Gorillaz live band drummer] Cass Browne, it is the intricate use of media platforms to realise plots and sub-plots that truly defines their existence; websites, projections, vignettes, games, autobiographies, comic books, animations, holograms, but most significantly, music.
2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel exist in a realm that neither allows or affords logic. It is an entirely bendable universe; but a place where the end result is always spectacularly real. While they may indulge in reality so real people can enjoy their work, the sum of their existence is situated very much elsewhere. In the world of Gorillaz, imagination is king.
Having recently released The Singles Collection 2001-2011, an album which celebrates their finest moments in music and film over the past ten years, the band are back with a brand new collaboration to add to their long list of prestigious alies. This time around Converse has been sucked into the realm and the result is a brand new song, along with a range of wonderfully colourful, yet strikingly wearable Chuck Taylor All Stars.
"I particularly like the camouflage ones," says Gorillaz' chief protagonist, lead vocalist and songwriter Damon Albarn, about the military-inspired camouflage print trainers inspired by the cover of their self-titled debut. "They're the ones I'll be wearing."
While Gorillaz visionary Jamie Hewlett was primed with marrying the classic All Star silhouette with the band's most iconic graphic imagery, it was left to Damon to mastermind the band's contribution to the Converse Three Artists One Song campaign. As just one of a number of avenues the iconic brand have been foraying down to extend their reach in the world of music, the premise is simple enough, yet the results are always spectacular.
The latest instalment in the series sees Albarn team up with LCD Soundsystem lynchpin James Murphy and Outkast legend Andre 3000 on twelve-minute opus DoYaThing. Recorded over three days, the track is classic Gorillaz; the playful momentum that has always been present in their musical offerings dominates throughout, and the new work is guaranteed to leave both fans and super-fans wholeheartedly satisfied.
It is the introduction of Andre 3000 that makes the track especially brilliant. Over what Albarn describes as “an MC5 nightmare” Andre spends the best part of the twelve minutes proclaiming one thing and one thing only, that he is ‘the shit’. “He does that very well because he is,” Albarn states matter-of-factly.
“James is also an ideal person to hang out with in the studio cause he likes the techy side of things and he’s also really gifted musically,” Albarn continues. “So is Andre, Andre is amazing, he is a phenomenally talented musician. He looks good, dances insanely well, sings beautifully, can rap like a motherfucker and he plays about six instruments. So, you know, he’s great.”
“I’m just really happy,” James Murphy adds. “I like the entire track, but the 'I’m the shit’ bit is where my heart is. For the rest of my life, I will remember playing an EMS synth with Damon’s guitar going through it and listening to a loop of my own drums, at the same time as watching Andre scream "I’m the shit!” two hundred times. It’s fun to make music while you’re laughing."
Gorillaz projects always expertly combine the audio with the visual and DoYaThing is no exception. The real beauty of the track is that Hewlett's visuals reunite the band in a shabby terrace house in an unidentified British town. We suspect London. In this regard, the gang have finally come home. "Yeah, well you know, at the end of the day, that's where you retreat to isn't it?" Albarn proclaims.
Gorillaz' collaboration with Converse should be celebrated as it may well be their last. As one of the hardest working musicians around, and someone who is consistently exploring new terrain, there is no guarantees that Albarn will find the time to revisit his most elaborate brainchild. He explains how Gorillaz, post-Converse, is currently dormant, but is quick to emphasise how he would never "rule out a future eruption."
Albarn is currently putting the finishing touches to three new albums all set for spring releases; a masque inspired by Elizabethan mastermind John Dee, soul legend Bobby Womack's new record, and Rocketjuice and The Moon's debut album with Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and Flea from The Red Hot Chili Peppers. To cap off his current workload, he also finds himself knee deep in his first solo adventure; an album that is shaping up to be as conceptually ambitious as anything he has released to date.
Much like any comic strip, the Gorillaz work in episodes. They start and stop, then start again. If Gorillaz are always destined to work in episodes then the recent collaboration with Converse is a timely comma, or maybe even a full stop. It is a standout episode in a remarkable story. We caught up with the Gorillaz bassist and self-proclaimed 'leader of the band’ Murdoc Faust Niccals to discuss his love for Converse.
So are Gorillaz all buddies again? we heard you had worked out your differences. How did that come about?
We’re not. We’re not buddies. I don’t think we ever really were. But ummm... yeah, we are now together again, in one way or other. I can’t really tell you where or why... I’ll come to that. But the fallout from the Plastic Beach campaign, and the trauma of that whole conflict; the battles, the burnouts, the exodus from the island... The whole sinking of Plastic Beach. It has kind of thrown us all together again. “Kismet”, they call it…We seem to be inexorably joined at the hip. But this is the first time we’ve been together as a foursome for….well, since the making of Demon Days I think. Still, nice to see Noodle again, and my, hasn’t she grown?
We understand that not all of your collaborations over the years have involved willing participants?
Umm… Yeah. The current collaboration is particularly underhand. I wanted to work with Andre 3000 from Outkast. Together with James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem for this Converse Three Artists, One Song thing. Sounded like a hoot. But I couldn’t get hold of either of them. Maybe they were blanking me. So I thought, “Fuck it. I’ll just break into their studio and take a song that I like”. Just nick it. So yeah, on Christmas Day I lowered myself into Andre’s gaff, dressed in deepest black, and like an evil black-hearted Santa, I helped myself to the goodies… I flicked through their works in progress and just lifted this wonderful track, a collaboration between Andre and James Murphy. It was perfect! All I had to do was sprinkle a little of my own potent Gorillaz charm into the mix, stick it in the oven for twenty minutes – Gas Mark 5 – and watch as the musical soufflé rose. I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done. It seems to encompass every aspect of the Gorillaz oeuvre, almost like it’s got a little ingredient from each period of the Gorillaz back catalogue. It’s hip-hop, it’s funk, it’s rock, it rolls… It’s got it all. It does its, er... ‘thing”, y’know! And, I think Andre 3000 and Mr. James Murphy will thank me for all this in the long run.
But you’re happy to be involved in the 'Three Artists. One Song’ campaign?
Well It’s what we do, Gorillaz. Music. We’re known for it. I liked their whole Three Artists One Song idea and Gorillaz are all about the collaboration, aren’t we, so it seemed like a perfect fit. Like a hairy Cinderella in a set of Size 9’s. And I do have to thank Converse for helping this all to happen, y’know. There’s not many companies with the courage and creative capacity to - not only support - but actively encourage one artist ‘borrowing’ the music of another. But I guess it’s forward thinking like that - putting the creative goal above all else – that’s what makes them such a fine company.
We take it from the video for 'DoYaThing’ that Gorillaz are living happily together again back in London? Working day jobs and wearing Converse?
Shhh! Shut it! Not London. We’re nowhere near London. I’m in... er... Hawaii... right? I told you that when we started. I’m nowhere near London.
Tell us more about the collaboration with Converse? Be honest, is it just another money maker?
Nope. I’ll tell you how this track came about. I wanted to put something new together. Fast. A one off... New shoes, new images. Back last year I met up with the good people over at Converse. We’d been talking about a Gorillaz / Converse hook up for a while. Everyone loves Converse, don’t they? And they wanted to see if we, Gorillaz, could help sell their soles. And Russel’s never really out of his, so it seemed ideal. I think the Gorillaz All Stars need to be worn in a bit, to give them that skuzzy feel, but they look really good. And I got a special pair of shiny leather Cuban-heeled Converse thrown into the deal so everything was looking nice and sparkly.
When can we expect a fully fledged Gorillaz fashion line?
That’s tricky. If I had my way it would just be velvet capes, with a nice, rich, wine-red silk-lining…silver topped canes. Some Size 9 Cuban heeled boots… Some big silver rings… a range of tight black jeans, and a stack ‘inverted cross’ pendants from Claire’s Accessories. Nice n’ dangly... But apparently - according to market researches - no-one wants to dress like that. So til they do I'll just stick to my Converse.
Contrary to popular belief, Gorillaz are so much more than a fictitious four-piece. They may be the most successful virtual band on the planet, but their universe extends to far deeper foundations than a discography of critically acclaimed albums. Conceived and created by artist Jamie Hewlett and musician Damon Albarn, now ably abetted by scriptwriter [and Gorillaz live band drummer] Cass Browne, it is the intricate use of media platforms to realise plots and sub-plots that truly defines their existence; websites, projections, vignettes, games, autobiographies, comic books, animations, holograms, but most significantly, music.
2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel exist in a realm that neither allows or affords logic. It is an entirely bendable universe; but a place where the end result is always spectacularly real. While they may indulge in reality so real people can enjoy their work, the sum of their existence is situated very much elsewhere. In the world of Gorillaz, imagination is king.
Having recently released The Singles Collection 2001-2011, an album which celebrates their finest moments in music and film over the past ten years, the band are back with a brand new collaboration to add to their long list of prestigious alies. This time around Converse has been sucked into the realm and the result is a brand new song, along with a range of wonderfully colourful, yet strikingly wearable Chuck Taylor All Stars.
"I particularly like the camouflage ones," says Gorillaz' chief protagonist, lead vocalist and songwriter Damon Albarn, about the military-inspired camouflage print trainers inspired by the cover of their self-titled debut. "They're the ones I'll be wearing."
While Gorillaz visionary Jamie Hewlett was primed with marrying the classic All Star silhouette with the band's most iconic graphic imagery, it was left to Damon to mastermind the band's contribution to the Converse Three Artists One Song campaign. As just one of a number of avenues the iconic brand have been foraying down to extend their reach in the world of music, the premise is simple enough, yet the results are always spectacular.
The latest instalment in the series sees Albarn team up with LCD Soundsystem lynchpin James Murphy and Outkast legend Andre 3000 on twelve-minute opus DoYaThing. Recorded over three days, the track is classic Gorillaz; the playful momentum that has always been present in their musical offerings dominates throughout, and the new work is guaranteed to leave both fans and super-fans wholeheartedly satisfied.
It is the introduction of Andre 3000 that makes the track especially brilliant. Over what Albarn describes as “an MC5 nightmare” Andre spends the best part of the twelve minutes proclaiming one thing and one thing only, that he is ‘the shit’. “He does that very well because he is,” Albarn states matter-of-factly.
“James is also an ideal person to hang out with in the studio cause he likes the techy side of things and he’s also really gifted musically,” Albarn continues. “So is Andre, Andre is amazing, he is a phenomenally talented musician. He looks good, dances insanely well, sings beautifully, can rap like a motherfucker and he plays about six instruments. So, you know, he’s great.”
“I’m just really happy,” James Murphy adds. “I like the entire track, but the 'I’m the shit’ bit is where my heart is. For the rest of my life, I will remember playing an EMS synth with Damon’s guitar going through it and listening to a loop of my own drums, at the same time as watching Andre scream "I’m the shit!” two hundred times. It’s fun to make music while you’re laughing."
Gorillaz projects always expertly combine the audio with the visual and DoYaThing is no exception. The real beauty of the track is that Hewlett's visuals reunite the band in a shabby terrace house in an unidentified British town. We suspect London. In this regard, the gang have finally come home. "Yeah, well you know, at the end of the day, that's where you retreat to isn't it?" Albarn proclaims.
Gorillaz' collaboration with Converse should be celebrated as it may well be their last. As one of the hardest working musicians around, and someone who is consistently exploring new terrain, there is no guarantees that Albarn will find the time to revisit his most elaborate brainchild. He explains how Gorillaz, post-Converse, is currently dormant, but is quick to emphasise how he would never "rule out a future eruption."
Albarn is currently putting the finishing touches to three new albums all set for spring releases; a masque inspired by Elizabethan mastermind John Dee, soul legend Bobby Womack's new record, and Rocketjuice and The Moon's debut album with Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and Flea from The Red Hot Chili Peppers. To cap off his current workload, he also finds himself knee deep in his first solo adventure; an album that is shaping up to be as conceptually ambitious as anything he has released to date.
Much like any comic strip, the Gorillaz work in episodes. They start and stop, then start again. If Gorillaz are always destined to work in episodes then the recent collaboration with Converse is a timely comma, or maybe even a full stop. It is a standout episode in a remarkable story. We caught up with the Gorillaz bassist and self-proclaimed 'leader of the band’ Murdoc Faust Niccals to discuss his love for Converse.
So are Gorillaz all buddies again? we heard you had worked out your differences. How did that come about?
We’re not. We’re not buddies. I don’t think we ever really were. But ummm... yeah, we are now together again, in one way or other. I can’t really tell you where or why... I’ll come to that. But the fallout from the Plastic Beach campaign, and the trauma of that whole conflict; the battles, the burnouts, the exodus from the island... The whole sinking of Plastic Beach. It has kind of thrown us all together again. “Kismet”, they call it…We seem to be inexorably joined at the hip. But this is the first time we’ve been together as a foursome for….well, since the making of Demon Days I think. Still, nice to see Noodle again, and my, hasn’t she grown?
We understand that not all of your collaborations over the years have involved willing participants?
Umm… Yeah. The current collaboration is particularly underhand. I wanted to work with Andre 3000 from Outkast. Together with James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem for this Converse Three Artists, One Song thing. Sounded like a hoot. But I couldn’t get hold of either of them. Maybe they were blanking me. So I thought, “Fuck it. I’ll just break into their studio and take a song that I like”. Just nick it. So yeah, on Christmas Day I lowered myself into Andre’s gaff, dressed in deepest black, and like an evil black-hearted Santa, I helped myself to the goodies… I flicked through their works in progress and just lifted this wonderful track, a collaboration between Andre and James Murphy. It was perfect! All I had to do was sprinkle a little of my own potent Gorillaz charm into the mix, stick it in the oven for twenty minutes – Gas Mark 5 – and watch as the musical soufflé rose. I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done. It seems to encompass every aspect of the Gorillaz oeuvre, almost like it’s got a little ingredient from each period of the Gorillaz back catalogue. It’s hip-hop, it’s funk, it’s rock, it rolls… It’s got it all. It does its, er... ‘thing”, y’know! And, I think Andre 3000 and Mr. James Murphy will thank me for all this in the long run.
But you’re happy to be involved in the 'Three Artists. One Song’ campaign?
Well It’s what we do, Gorillaz. Music. We’re known for it. I liked their whole Three Artists One Song idea and Gorillaz are all about the collaboration, aren’t we, so it seemed like a perfect fit. Like a hairy Cinderella in a set of Size 9’s. And I do have to thank Converse for helping this all to happen, y’know. There’s not many companies with the courage and creative capacity to - not only support - but actively encourage one artist ‘borrowing’ the music of another. But I guess it’s forward thinking like that - putting the creative goal above all else – that’s what makes them such a fine company.
We take it from the video for 'DoYaThing’ that Gorillaz are living happily together again back in London? Working day jobs and wearing Converse?
Shhh! Shut it! Not London. We’re nowhere near London. I’m in... er... Hawaii... right? I told you that when we started. I’m nowhere near London.
Tell us more about the collaboration with Converse? Be honest, is it just another money maker?
Nope. I’ll tell you how this track came about. I wanted to put something new together. Fast. A one off... New shoes, new images. Back last year I met up with the good people over at Converse. We’d been talking about a Gorillaz / Converse hook up for a while. Everyone loves Converse, don’t they? And they wanted to see if we, Gorillaz, could help sell their soles. And Russel’s never really out of his, so it seemed ideal. I think the Gorillaz All Stars need to be worn in a bit, to give them that skuzzy feel, but they look really good. And I got a special pair of shiny leather Cuban-heeled Converse thrown into the deal so everything was looking nice and sparkly.
When can we expect a fully fledged Gorillaz fashion line?
That’s tricky. If I had my way it would just be velvet capes, with a nice, rich, wine-red silk-lining…silver topped canes. Some Size 9 Cuban heeled boots… Some big silver rings… a range of tight black jeans, and a stack ‘inverted cross’ pendants from Claire’s Accessories. Nice n’ dangly... But apparently - according to market researches - no-one wants to dress like that. So til they do I'll just stick to my Converse.