Back in the saddle with Ride and running the Psychedelic Machine, the former Oasis, Beady Eye and Hurricane #1 man (surely by now we’ve answered the “Who the f*ck is …?” question) takes five from us.
1.) What’s your favorite Beatles song and why?
I’m going to go with the obvious—”Tomorrow Never Knows.” Well, obvious to me, anyway. It is my favorite of the Beatles’ songs and it just encapsulates a time when John was searching. The production on it is just so incredibly futuristic for the time. Yeah, it just does the job for me. I also love the way that song has had many lives, like in terms of the Chemical Brothers redoing it with Noel, and just the way that beat has carried on. Even Oasis’ “Falling Down” was, in a way, a continuation on it. And I’m sure Beady Eye have done a few songs with that same groove. It’s just a groove that keeps giving.
2.) Who are three songwriters—living or dead—that you wish you could sit down and write a song with?
I’d say Townes Van Zandt would be number one. Just for that fact that it seems to come so easily to the guy. He was a real tragic loss to songwriting, and I think I understand what Steve Earle meant when he said he was up there with Bob Dylan, because there was something elemental about Townes Van Zandt that was so pure and talented and so good—the whole picture of it. Lyrics that take you away somewhere and then a melody that is just original and beautiful. Just the sort of humbleness, too. He’s my number one choice. Now then, the guy from Tame Impala, Kevin Parker. He seems like a cool dude to work with. I don’t know if he works alone or what, but they’re one of my favorite bands of the last few years. And then I’m trying to pick something different. I’m going to say Richard Fearless, because we’ve worked together and I’ve always wanted to [write with him]. He did a track with Liam at one stage—Death in Vegas did a song with him singing on it. Actually we did work together on an Oasis record that never came out, but I’d love to write with Richard and that’s a genuine one—I think it could possibly happen and I’d love it to happen.
3.) If you had to pick one song that you’ve written that you really think sums you up as a songwriter, what would that be?
I’m very proud of “Turn Up the Sun” from the Oasis era. That’s a good one. Yeah, that’s really the one to go for.
4.) Is there one song by someone else that you wish you could’ve written?
Yeah. [Laughter] Definitely. There’s a lot. Frank Sinatra’s “Cycles,” which was written by Gayle Caldwell.
5.) Is there anything you’re listening to these days that you’re particularly digging?
Yeah, a lot. I’m really into Warpaint‘s stuff. I’m actually going to see them in a couple nights. I think they’re an L.A. band. Their stuff’s great. I’m also liking a lot of electronic stuff. Steve’s been playing me a lot of stuff like Holden and Basic Channel, which is a label. It’s very minimal and it’s kind of cool. Have you ever checked out my Mixcloud? I tend to do that regularly. I’ve been listening to Noel’s album [Chasing Yesterday] a lot. I’m really liking that. “Lock All the Doors” is a really cool tune that I wish Oasis could’ve done.
Transatlantic Modern 