20 Questions: Morcheeba

20 Questions: Morcheeba

Morcheeba return with their ninth album Blaze Away this week. Now comprising the founding duo of vocalist Skye Edwards and producer Ross Godfrey, Blaze Away sees them return to the genre-mashing of their early days, with the sunshine dappled single and title track featuring Roots Manuva.

“We brought back a lot of the influences of early Morcheeba records – from ‘50s blues, ‘60s psychedelic rock and ‘70s dub reggae to ‘80s electro and ‘90s hip hop. Whatever felt right, we went with” says producer Ross Godfrey.

Part of a wave of trip hop groups in the 1990s, Morcheeba have released 8 albums in all that have sold in excess of 10 million records in their career. We’ve sent the group our twenty Questions, read Ross Godfrey’s answers below:

Hi, how are you today?

Good. I have been walking around Hamburg docks and even got on a U Boat.

What’s the weather like?

It is sunny and hot.

How do most of your songs start life? A piano part? A chord? Or melody?

Mostly it starts with a guitar riff but sometimes an electric piano part. Then we find a vocal melody and lyrics.

Have you ever been starstruck?

Yes, I was introduced to Caetano Veloso once in London and was speechless as he is a hero of mine.

The Royal Family: should they stay or should they go?

Stay. I like the Queen. 

If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to be?

A geologist. I am into rocks.

What’s your favourite book?

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.

What were you like at school?

Bored. I couldn’t wait to leave and start a band.

What’s the music scene like back home?

It changes too quickly to keep up. I am more into American guitar bands or old blues.

Best gig you’ve played so far?

Glastonbury is always a nice memory, or The Fillmore in San Francisco. 

What’s your favourite single?

Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix. I love the riff.

What do you listen to in your tourbus?

The engine. We tend to be music free on the bus as we normally have about 5 hours of loud music in our ears prior to getting on it. Sometimes we watch movies. Last night we watched Sausage party.

What were your favourite artists growing up?

Jimi Hendrix and Cream. I love old acid rock.

Who would you want to play you in the film of your life?

Jason Statham 🙂 

Vinyl, CD, Download or stream?

Vinyl.

What’s the best cover version you have ever heard?

David Byrne playing I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston.

Tell us about your recent release?

Its a varied and dynamic album called Blaze Away. It has rough edges.

Any hopes for 2018?

I’d like to have the odd day off by the sea. I enjoy swimming a lot.

What would be your dream collaboration?

I’d love to make a duet with Skye and Shuggie Otis.

What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened at one of your own gigs?

Taking too many magic mushrooms, I sometimes get the timing wrong and it is a real struggle trying to concentrate till the end of the show.

Limited & exclusive formats of ‘Blaze Away’ are available from their official store: 

https://www.morcheeba.uk/shop

God is in the TV is an online music and culture fanzine founded in Cardiff by the editor Bill Cummings in 2003. GIITTV Bill has developed the site with the aid of a team of sub-editors and writers from across Britain, covering a wide range of music from unsigned and independent artists to major releases.