I think a lot of cynicism has dropped away from my shoulders since I stopped drinking.

It is ridiculous that I have so many shoes I don't wear. I worry that they're sitting there, being sad.

When Blur first started and we were playing Manchester the Hacienda was the place to go. That was where a lot of exciting stuff was happening and London was pretty dead.

I had a breakthrough, I think my life just became calmer, I gave up drinking. My priorities changed as I had a young daughter. The group didn't want me to record for the Think Tank album... so I took it as a sign to leave.

I think a lot of cynicism has dropped away from my shoulders since I stopped drinking.

I'm a bit of lunatic with shoes and jackets and jeans. It's just how I am.

I don't think of myself as a singer really.