New book, ‘Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters’ (Picador) released on 12th September

Available on Amazon for £16 in hardback.

Amazon Book Description

Isle of Noises features brand-new, exclusive, in-depth conversations with twenty-seven of the UK’s greatest living musicians including Paul Weller, Ray Davies, Madness, Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn and Jimmy Page.

Artists discuss their individual approach to writing, the inspiration behind their most successful songs, and the techniques and methods they have independently developed. It is an incredible musical journey spanning fifty years, from ‘Waterloo Sunset’ by Ray Davies to ‘The Beast’ by Laura Marling, with many lyrical and melodic secrets revealed along the way.

 

Original handwritten lyrics from personal archives and notebooks (many never-before-seen) offer a unique glimpse into the heart of the creative process, and some of the greatest names in photography, including Jill Furmanovsky, Pennie Smith and Sheila Rock, have contributed stunning portraits of each artist.

 

The combination of individual personal insights and the breadth and depth of knowledge in their collected experience makes Isle of Noises the essential word on classic British songwriting – as told by the songwriters themselves.

 

A great set of questions. I’m proud to be part of this project. Ray Davies

 

I know you’ve had glowing reports from others – it’s really interesting how you did it. Jimmy Page

 

I want to read what Ray Davies said; a hero of mine. Andy Partridge

 

One of the best and most challenging interviews I’ve ever done. Great. Glenn Tilbrook

 

What you’re doing’s great and very important. The questions are brilliant, really interesting . . . sometimes you know straightaway if someone’s going to be trotting out the same old stuff. You’ve obviously got a real feeling for the esoteric, romantic and spiritual side of it. Johnny Marr

 

It’s a really interesting project. I bet no one says the same thing. Damon Albarn

 

I hope I’ve been able to shed some light onto my weird brain. Lily Allen

 

I’ve always been very wary about analysing songwriting. It’s always been a mystery to me where ideas come from. Bryan Ferry

 

Really good questions. It’s nice to speak to someone with some musical knowledge who’s smart. That’s unusual. Sting