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

Most of America don't even listen to music probably. They just go raccoon hunting or something.

I've always looked at shoes as being immensely beautiful things.

You know Manchester is always a bit of a hard place for people coming from London, just with all the history. Manchester has this immensely huge and healthy history musically.

I suppose my little Martin acoustic guitar is quickly becoming a prize possession. It's a lovely guitar. I bought it at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2001 before I had cleaned up.

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'm still amazed by the process of recording.