Blur plays an alternate version of Song 2

This is the most amazing Blur video I've watched in a long time - Blur performs their song "Song 2" in a completely different style, essentially a "cover of" their own original song. It's brilliant, totally chilled out and Damon's voice just vibrates and forms awesome rhythms. Watch below and comment on what you think - Yay or Nay ?

Alex James to judge Ambition AXA Awards

AXA, in association with Arts Council England, have recently launched the Ambition AXA Awards, making available £200,000 to 5 talented 11-18 year olds in the UK.


Each winner will receive up to £40,000 worth of personalised mentoring, to help develop their ambitions in their chosen field of arts, enterprise, science, community or sport. The prize will be judged by an expert panel, which includes Laura Gander Howe, ACE Director of Learning and Skills Strategy as well as celebrity musician Alex James from Blur.


He also had a little interview that talked about his life, bio and achievements so far. 

Alex James - How to aim for a career in the arts and get the most out of it 

I’ve always loved music, but I never thought it was a career option.

My dad bought a piano when I was 13 and showed me how to play boogie woogie. Not much later I got a bass and joined a band. I went to London to study French, but spent all my time playing music. I dropped my studies because I wanted to be in Blur.

It’s very hard to know what you want to do with your life – in fact it’s the hardest thing there is. I’ve never had a master plan, but I’ve always followed what has interested me most.

Do what you love

I don’t think you can help following interests. And it’s vital, even if it makes you look ridiculous – there was a time when leaving university to be in a band that had songs that all went very, very fast and were very, very loud seemed ridiculous, but that was what I cared about.

I’ve always loved music, but journalism and even inventing cheese are equally creative. I really love cheese so I always find it interesting.

Get into a band

Whenever you find something that interests you, you’ve got to go after it with everything you’ve got even if it makes you look stupid. If it’s music, get involved in a band. If it’s writing, write. If it’s cheese, er, give me a call. Whatever it is, the important thing is doing it, not dreaming about it.

Don’t fret about music lessons/training/not having enough money

I didn’t have any training when I was younger. I just played every day and eventually I could do it. Pop music is great, as you don’t have to know loads -  it’s just a way to express yourself. But I don’t think I’ve ever stopped learning. I’ve had loads of music lessons recently, and I wish I'd done it years ago.

Enjoy yourself

I like playing the guitar on my own. I love making records, I love playing music, I like talking about it – always have, always will. So I was drawn to music.

If you dedicate yourself to something you like, it is surprising what will come out of it. I still find it amazing that what I enjoyed messing about at as a teenager has led me. Who’d have thought when I formed my first band in my bedroom all those years ago that I’d be playing to thousands at Glastonbury? (Apart from me, I mean – I knew it was going to happen).

Read about Alex James from AXA's official website HERE. 

Albarn's 'DRC Music' tracklist revealed

Damon Albarn's Congo collaboration album "DRC Music" has been premiered on Soundcloud a few days ago. 5 tracks has been made available on the online streaming website, and you can head over there to listen below. 


The album from this is called 'Kinshasa One Two' and it will be released digitally by Warp Records on 3rd October 2011 with a CD/vinyl release to follow on 7th November 2011, to benefit Oxfam. 


"Hallo" (feat. Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge)
"K-Town" (feat. N'Gotshima and Bebson)
"African Space Anthem (A.S.A)" (feat. Ewing Sima of Tout Puissant Mukalo)
"Love" (feat. Love)
"Lingala" (feat. Bokatola System and Evala Litongo)
"Lourds" (feat. Yende Bongongo of Okwess International)
"Respect of the Rules" (feat. Loi X Liberal)
"We Come From the Forest" (feat. Bokatola System)
"Customs" (feat. Bokatola System)
"Virginia" (feat. Magakala Virginia Yollande and Yowa Hollande)
"Ah Congo" (feat. Jupiter Bokondji and Bokatola System)
"Three Piece Sweet part 1&2" (feat. Bebson)
"If You Wish to Stay Awake" (feat. Washiba) "Departure" (feat. Bokatola System) 


You can hear Damon Albarn sings in the track "Hallo". Apart from that, the tracks sound a lot like Gorillaz's ipad album "The Fall" and parts of Damon's unpolished demos from not only the Blur era, but also from Monkey Journey to the West. Seems like he reused parts of old demos and incorporated  some more exotic instruments to compile this interesting piece!  


Listen to some of the tracks HERE