Exclusive Q&A w/Noodle
Mixmag, December 2021
What’s it like being a Noodle rather than a Russel or Murdoc?
You cannot be what you are not.
Do you agree that Murdoc is in charge?
Murdoc is in charge of Murdoc’s world, which he believes is actually the whole world, but it is not. Murdoc’s world is not always a place others want to visit or spend a long time.
Did you see The Beatles Get Back documentary? Who is your favourite Beatle member, and do you ever wish you could have a fifth member yourself?
All Beatles did their thing and I like where I am now, but Beatles are a good example of how practice makes perfect.
Is it also true that you arrived via FedEx?
Yes
How were the O2 shows for you? What were the highlights?
A highlight is, as always is, the audience and magic which it brings to our group. Being able to perform after such long time was truly special.
Did anyone misbehave?
All our behaviour reflects where we are, but it is good to test boundaries at times.
One of the highlights of this year’s live shows was the uplifting 'Désolé' with Fatoumata Diawara: what was it like to work with her?
There is no one like Fatou, she is the exception to everything and a guiding spirit. Her talent is endless, her grace sublime and her music fills hearts, as well as ears, of course.
Beyond her performance, Gorillaz were joined on stage by oodles of talent, from Shaun Ryder to Little Simz. Were you intimidated by anyone?
Being small I must never show my fear. To be heard you must speak quietly and everyone who joins our family does so with great respect.
Even old friends like De La Soul made it to the shows: did that make you emotional?
Very much so, they are like electricity wherever they go. Gorillaz family all carry with them great energy. To reunite in this way, all kind of emotion was swirling around the room with the 20,000 strong extended fan family. The energy was a feast for all.
The show opened with an appearance from Robert Smith of The Cure: are they an influence on the band and what was he like to work with?
Robert is fantastic. 2D says he loves his hooks, but I couldn’t see any when he was with us. Robert is a very generous person and cares greatly.
How does it feel to be in the biggest virtual planet on the planet? Do you object to the word virtual?
If you follow Chopra, or maybe Dawkins … no matter. Perhaps we are just projections of your mind, but importantly for me and anyway, I do exist, and that is all.
Who is your dream artist to work with after Elton and The Cure? Still Kate Bush?
What makes it special is the sparks when two or three worlds collide. It’s never simple and can come from the most surprising or unexpected place. So there is always excitement with a new collaboration.
The Observer said the Song Machine shows were “a genre-straddling success story… Double drummers six backing singers Robert Smith, Peter Hook and slowthai guesting”: how do you keep your feet on the ground after such praise?
Gorillaz is collective and for community. The greatest joy is when we play together and if others like it, we are very happy indeed but glory is for us all to share.
There’s a new EP called ‘Meanwhile’ that celebrates West London and you have dissed Crawley in the PR… is London still the best place in the world for Gorillaz in the midst?
Gorillaz do not diss! 2D is at home in Crawley and knows it well, he uses his full knowledge of Crawley to navigate to other places. Like the sun, I travel west best.
Finally, in the wake of your Jim Henson award, if The Muppets asked you onto their show, would you say yes?
Completely, yes!
The ‘Meanwhile’ EP and the Super-Deluxe 20th Anniversary reissue of their debut album are out now
You cannot be what you are not.
Do you agree that Murdoc is in charge?
Murdoc is in charge of Murdoc’s world, which he believes is actually the whole world, but it is not. Murdoc’s world is not always a place others want to visit or spend a long time.
Did you see The Beatles Get Back documentary? Who is your favourite Beatle member, and do you ever wish you could have a fifth member yourself?
All Beatles did their thing and I like where I am now, but Beatles are a good example of how practice makes perfect.
Is it also true that you arrived via FedEx?
Yes
How were the O2 shows for you? What were the highlights?
A highlight is, as always is, the audience and magic which it brings to our group. Being able to perform after such long time was truly special.
Did anyone misbehave?
All our behaviour reflects where we are, but it is good to test boundaries at times.
One of the highlights of this year’s live shows was the uplifting 'Désolé' with Fatoumata Diawara: what was it like to work with her?
There is no one like Fatou, she is the exception to everything and a guiding spirit. Her talent is endless, her grace sublime and her music fills hearts, as well as ears, of course.
Beyond her performance, Gorillaz were joined on stage by oodles of talent, from Shaun Ryder to Little Simz. Were you intimidated by anyone?
Being small I must never show my fear. To be heard you must speak quietly and everyone who joins our family does so with great respect.
Even old friends like De La Soul made it to the shows: did that make you emotional?
Very much so, they are like electricity wherever they go. Gorillaz family all carry with them great energy. To reunite in this way, all kind of emotion was swirling around the room with the 20,000 strong extended fan family. The energy was a feast for all.
The show opened with an appearance from Robert Smith of The Cure: are they an influence on the band and what was he like to work with?
Robert is fantastic. 2D says he loves his hooks, but I couldn’t see any when he was with us. Robert is a very generous person and cares greatly.
How does it feel to be in the biggest virtual planet on the planet? Do you object to the word virtual?
If you follow Chopra, or maybe Dawkins … no matter. Perhaps we are just projections of your mind, but importantly for me and anyway, I do exist, and that is all.
Who is your dream artist to work with after Elton and The Cure? Still Kate Bush?
What makes it special is the sparks when two or three worlds collide. It’s never simple and can come from the most surprising or unexpected place. So there is always excitement with a new collaboration.
The Observer said the Song Machine shows were “a genre-straddling success story… Double drummers six backing singers Robert Smith, Peter Hook and slowthai guesting”: how do you keep your feet on the ground after such praise?
Gorillaz is collective and for community. The greatest joy is when we play together and if others like it, we are very happy indeed but glory is for us all to share.
There’s a new EP called ‘Meanwhile’ that celebrates West London and you have dissed Crawley in the PR… is London still the best place in the world for Gorillaz in the midst?
Gorillaz do not diss! 2D is at home in Crawley and knows it well, he uses his full knowledge of Crawley to navigate to other places. Like the sun, I travel west best.
Finally, in the wake of your Jim Henson award, if The Muppets asked you onto their show, would you say yes?
Completely, yes!
The ‘Meanwhile’ EP and the Super-Deluxe 20th Anniversary reissue of their debut album are out now