I wasn't ever a massive David Essex fan, but I liked a few of his tracks, and Stardust was one of them.

More than accepted, it's encouraged for rock stars to be out of control.

Once I'd chosen the songs, it seemed like it would just be a question then of recording them. But it's a case of trying to re-invent the songs; taking them in different directions.

I try to get a degree of realism in my music.

I'm not particularly prolific.

England never felt claustrophobic for me at all. I think it would feel more difficult for me if I lived in mainland Europe. America I think is really easy because Los Angeles has film stars everywhere and musicians and Santa Barbara a lot of people have homes there even if they don't live there. You are kind of inconsequential, no one cares.

When I write love songs, people think they're really soppy - but I see love as a consolation for the boredom of life.