Interview: Gorillaz's Murdoc on new album, cult and more
Tracklist, March 2023
Leader of "The Last Cult" tells more details about "Cracker Island" and quotes MC Bin Laden.
With "Cracker Island", Gorillaz's eighth studio album, we are introduced to a new part of the band's history. It all begins with the move to Los Angeles, in the United States, where bassist Murdoc founds "The Last Cult" and becomes its great leader.
What the virtual group (made up of Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D) didn't know was that their neighbors also had a cult, called "Forever Cult", led by Moon Flower. The whole adventure is told to Tracklist in an interview with Murdoc, who explains about "Cracker Island", his collaborations - including with Brazilian MC Bin Laden - and more.
Interview: Gorillaz's Murdoc
Tracklist: Why did you move to Silver Lake in Los Angeles before founding The Last Cult?
Murdoc: It's a funny story, actually. We were looking for a new home after a demonic hole opened up under our studio in West London. Then, out of the blue, I get a strange email offering us a worryingly cheap rental deal in Silver Lake, LA! Although I thought it must be one of those scams, I went ahead with it anyway, as a joke. And here we are!
Can you tell us more about The Last Cult?
Murdoc: Mate, we're actually in the process of disbanding. The new tomorrow arrived a few weeks ago. The Great Leader's work is done, at least for now. But the collective spirit lives on. Besides, I still wear my robes and hat from "The Last Cult", they make great sleepwear. I haven't told 2D yet, so he can get on with his exhausting cult duties. Our garden is the envy of the neighborhood.
How is your relationship with Moon Flower? And her relationship with 2D?
Murdoc: Much quieter, due to the fact that she's now neatly packaged inside a funeral receptacle. But we made up before the end. And it's true, she planned to sacrifice 2D, but you can't entirely blame her for that, he's very "sacrificable". The point is that she changed her mind, from hate to love. Speaking of which, we managed to arrange a meeting at the movies, during which she crumbled into dust. Rest in peace, Moon Flower. I hope you enjoy your urn.
"Cracker Island" is your 8th studio album. What are the differences between it and the other Gorillaz projects?
Murdoc: Assuming you mean apart from all the different songs, lyrics, collaborations, cover art, instrumentation, etcetera? "Cracker Island" also had a "Rupture". That definitely sets it apart from the other albums. We're still debating what exactly the "Rupture" was, but perhaps that's the beauty of "Cracker Island". Rupture is whatever you want it to be.
And what was it like working with Greg Kurstin? "Silent Running" shaped the sound of the rest of the album, right?
Murdoc: Greg was lucky enough to realize his lifelong ambition by working with me. Greg's a good guy. We had a lot in common. He's a real 80s synth addict, like 2D. "Silent Running" was the first thing we did together and it came out almost complete. Pure musical alchemy.
There are several collaborations in "Cracker Island". By the way, collaborations are a Gorillaz trademark. How did you come up with names like Bad Bunny and Tame Impala for the tracks on the new album?
Murdoc: Like most of my brilliant ideas, they came to me in a wonderful vision I had while soaking in the bathtub.
In addition to "Cracker Island", you released a single on the deluxe version, the track "Controllah" with MC Bin Laden, a strong name in Brazilian funk. What do you think of the genre and what was it like incorporating it into Gorillaz songs?
Murdoc: Great guy, MC Bin Laden. He came to meet us while we were on tour and we discussed the music. He's a lovely guy and, as you've heard, the song is really catchy. It shows that there's no sound in the universe that we know that can't be incorporated into Gorillaz. No limits.
With "Cracker Island", Gorillaz's eighth studio album, we are introduced to a new part of the band's history. It all begins with the move to Los Angeles, in the United States, where bassist Murdoc founds "The Last Cult" and becomes its great leader.
What the virtual group (made up of Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D) didn't know was that their neighbors also had a cult, called "Forever Cult", led by Moon Flower. The whole adventure is told to Tracklist in an interview with Murdoc, who explains about "Cracker Island", his collaborations - including with Brazilian MC Bin Laden - and more.
Interview: Gorillaz's Murdoc
Tracklist: Why did you move to Silver Lake in Los Angeles before founding The Last Cult?
Murdoc: It's a funny story, actually. We were looking for a new home after a demonic hole opened up under our studio in West London. Then, out of the blue, I get a strange email offering us a worryingly cheap rental deal in Silver Lake, LA! Although I thought it must be one of those scams, I went ahead with it anyway, as a joke. And here we are!
Can you tell us more about The Last Cult?
Murdoc: Mate, we're actually in the process of disbanding. The new tomorrow arrived a few weeks ago. The Great Leader's work is done, at least for now. But the collective spirit lives on. Besides, I still wear my robes and hat from "The Last Cult", they make great sleepwear. I haven't told 2D yet, so he can get on with his exhausting cult duties. Our garden is the envy of the neighborhood.
How is your relationship with Moon Flower? And her relationship with 2D?
Murdoc: Much quieter, due to the fact that she's now neatly packaged inside a funeral receptacle. But we made up before the end. And it's true, she planned to sacrifice 2D, but you can't entirely blame her for that, he's very "sacrificable". The point is that she changed her mind, from hate to love. Speaking of which, we managed to arrange a meeting at the movies, during which she crumbled into dust. Rest in peace, Moon Flower. I hope you enjoy your urn.
"Cracker Island" is your 8th studio album. What are the differences between it and the other Gorillaz projects?
Murdoc: Assuming you mean apart from all the different songs, lyrics, collaborations, cover art, instrumentation, etcetera? "Cracker Island" also had a "Rupture". That definitely sets it apart from the other albums. We're still debating what exactly the "Rupture" was, but perhaps that's the beauty of "Cracker Island". Rupture is whatever you want it to be.
And what was it like working with Greg Kurstin? "Silent Running" shaped the sound of the rest of the album, right?
Murdoc: Greg was lucky enough to realize his lifelong ambition by working with me. Greg's a good guy. We had a lot in common. He's a real 80s synth addict, like 2D. "Silent Running" was the first thing we did together and it came out almost complete. Pure musical alchemy.
There are several collaborations in "Cracker Island". By the way, collaborations are a Gorillaz trademark. How did you come up with names like Bad Bunny and Tame Impala for the tracks on the new album?
Murdoc: Like most of my brilliant ideas, they came to me in a wonderful vision I had while soaking in the bathtub.
In addition to "Cracker Island", you released a single on the deluxe version, the track "Controllah" with MC Bin Laden, a strong name in Brazilian funk. What do you think of the genre and what was it like incorporating it into Gorillaz songs?
Murdoc: Great guy, MC Bin Laden. He came to meet us while we were on tour and we discussed the music. He's a lovely guy and, as you've heard, the song is really catchy. It shows that there's no sound in the universe that we know that can't be incorporated into Gorillaz. No limits.