As if his antics and the often titled 'Graham’s album' wasn’t enough, Graham Coxon launches his own record label. The names Transcopic and has just released (March 9th) their debut double A side single.
He kindly interrupted a lively evening in Camden pub to talk about being a label boss, being drunk, and being happy.
What made you want to launch a label?
“I want to push shit out that is a thrill, stuff that isn’t necessarily though of as commercial by corporations. But I guess every independent label says that shit.
“I just produced this group from Chicago because the singer is an old mate of mine. And I realised why so many recording desks are damaged. It’s because many producers bang their heads on them repeatedly. But it was loverly.”
What has been the response to your recent appeal for demo tapes?
“I’ve had a few demos. Sometimes it’s really puzzling, the stuff I’m sent. Sometimes it’s comical - really serious rock people with cigarettes in their mouths posing with American cars and stuff. There’s stuff I’d never really want to put out, but which I’m glad I own.
“I’m not signing bands for five albums and giving them 40 grand, like Food did to us. And I’m standing next to [Food Chief] Andy Ross at the moment! I feel that I should chuck some money back into the music that is exciting me. It seems only true and fair to me to do that.
“What else am I going to do? Sit and feel guilty that I’ve earned money out of being a f***ing pop star? I can’t deal with that anymore.”
Do you have any specific ambitions for the label?
“Yes. I want to rejuvenate the words ‘folk music.’ Everyone thinks that it’s cable-knit jumpers and beards and sitting their singing about ale. Folk music is actually about life and living and experiences. Punk rock and pop music is folk music. I think a lot of blur stuff is folk music.
How do you feel about the blur album now?
“Blurs last album was.....it was probably my fault. I was kind of riddled with suggestives [sic] of American indie-rock and stuff like that But I can’t help that. That’s the stuff that kept me alive for the last three years.”
Lots of people said it sounded like Pavement.
“Pavement? Well, Pavement, Beck, whatever - that’s the generalisation but it goes far deeper than that. That’s not going going under the water, that’s just doing breast-stroke on the top!”
Is it true that you’ve recently given up your life of sobriety?
“Yes. I gave up alcohol because I was very depressed, very down. I was getting up at 11 and going down to the pub and on your own, that’s a sad existence. So I gave it up.
“Now I’ve started again, because I had the same feeling, but sober - I was a completely straight-edge boy. I was vegetarian, didn’t smoke, didn’t drink....and I just felt stuff too much.
“And I was in a bar in Los Angeles and I just though ‘F*** it! I’ll go to the bar, I’ll get some Marlboro Lights and a f***in’ Heineken - and it was f***in’ magic!”
And now you’re back on the Camden scene. You’re obviously still fond of the place.
“Yeah.....I don’t want to live in west London on a trampoline being all bouncy and fluffy. No f***in’ way. That’s why I’ve come sown the pub. I don’t want to go down a private members’ club and have all that bullshit yuppie pseudo-wisdom thrust into my ears. If people agree with what I’m saying, and they’re in a group, then they should send me a demo tape.”
Is it true you’ve been recording some solo material?
“Well, there was solo material on the last LP! I’ve just been recording stuff on my dictaphone in my front room. It’s just sketches, it’s not really officially recording. It’s a little bit of folk music, maybe. A little bit like Nick Drake or Leonard Cohen - but not half as good.”
And what will blur be doing this year?
“I don’t really want to talk about that, but....blur ain’t doing anything until after the World Cup, and then we might start recording”.
Is that all your doing?
“That’s our business, boy! Cheers!”
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