Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn given citizenship of ­Iceland as one of only 30 to get a passport

 DAMON ALBARN once sang about living in a very big house in the country, but now he has upped sticks to reside in a very different location. 

I’ve learned the rocker has been awarded citizenship of ­Iceland and is one of only 30 foreign citizens to make the cut.

He asked officials how he could join the country last March during a holiday there and finally had his wish granted on Thursday. The Blur and Gorillaz frontman has spent 25 years as a frequent visitor to the geyser-filled island, which is 1,200 miles from where he grew up in Essex. He has a home in a suburb of capital city Reykjavik. 

A source said: “Damon is thrilled to now officially be a citizen of Iceland because he knows the country so well. “It has been a constant source of inspiration for him and it is a safe haven right now.

“Apart from anything else, Iceland has just a handful of Covid cases so being there is far better than staying in the UK where he would be stuck inside.” The ruling means he now has the right to live and work in Iceland permanently, without any immigration restrictions. 

The star said he was first inspired to take a trip there in the mid-Nineties after learning the country had black sand. 

Damon explained at the time: “I used to have a recurring dream, as a child, of a black sand beach. “And one hazy, lazy day, I was watching the TV and I saw a programme about Iceland, and they had black beaches. 

“So I got on a plane. I was on my own — I didn’t know anybody. “I went into the street in Laugavegur, where the bars are, and that was it.”

Blur then recorded their self-titled 1997 album there, featuring hits Song 2, On Your Own and Beetlebum. In 2006 he described himself as “a frequent visitor, a sort of migratory bird” to the country. If I were him, I’d feather my nest and stay put there for now till things settle down.

How To Improve Energy Levels - Mindful Matter Review

Have you ever stayed up late listening to Blur and The Beatles and just got so tired the next day? Ever have trouble waking up for work after a bad night's sleep? Ever struggled to manage daily life because you're too tired? Fear not, for today I want to talk about something that's related to life- and this is because health matters no matter how old you are.

The brand I want to feature today on this blog is called Mindful Matter, a UK-based supplements brand that sells magnesium supplements for men and women. Founded by Alex and Sean, the brand's one of the fastest growing supplement brands out there. It's innovative and their supplements benefit customers in over 40 countries. If you're always tired like me, then you'll want to keep on reading about their supplements. 

I want to focus the spotlight on the brand's Magnesium Glycinate supplements as it's one of the best ones that I've tried in a while. I used to take supplements that were in the form of multi-vitamins but I found that they were not as helpful as specific ones that targeted problems that I had. So how does magnesium improve your overall wellbeing? 

Studies show that the majority of the UK population is at risk for magnesium deficiency due to a variety of lifestyle factors, including a diet high in processed food. Health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes or alcohol dependency can make you have low magnesium levels which further damages your body's wellbeing. 

Magnesium is incredibly important for many reasons relating to health. The humble mineral is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It's important for general health, bone health, helping to keep your blood sugar levels stable, helping your muscles and nerves to properly function, and keeping your blood pressure at a decent level. 

One of the best things about it is how it can help with sleep. As Damon Albarn and Blur's songs constantly says, a lot of people struggle to get a good night's sleep. Magnesium helps regulate the hormone melatonin, which is involved with controlling your circadian rhythm. If you're always staying up late listening to music or reading about the latest celebrity news, then this supplement will greatly improve your sleep schedule and improve your quality of life! Magnesium allows you to take protein and convert it into the chemicals that help you feel sleepy. 

Mindful Matter's magnesium supplements came in a lovely packaging and I'm very impressed with them. They are delivered quickly and efficiently after ordering and the package is very secure. The presentation is lovely and these would make great gifts for anyone. I'd highly recommend them and don't forget to visit their website to learn more. 

5 Facts You Never Knew about Damon Albarn

The Blur frontman has always been a bit mysterious and aloof with his personal stories. But here are 5 fun facts that you probably never knew about the man himself.

1. After his breakup with Justine Frischmann in the late 1990s, there are rumours he dated Melanie C from Spice Girls (Sporty Spice) and Shaznay Lewis from All Saints. He has been seen with them together in house parties hosted by Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in their pad in London during his recovery days. He has always had an open relationship with Justine Frischmann and was caught kissing an Australian DJ back in the days.

2. Blur and the gang used to play a "Punching Game" with each other, where they'd take it in turns to hit each other as hard as they can. Alex James recalls: “There was one tour in America that I had two black eyes,” James claimed. “One from Graham and one from Dave. And Damon broke my nose once. But you know… there was never any question we would split up. We were tighter than ever.” “Dave used to play this game called the Punching Game,” James continued. “We all took it in turns to punch each other. I remember playing it with the bass player from Dinosaur Jr… he was fucking massive. Taller than me. He lumped the shit out of everyone.” In case anyone needs ear infection treatment, heads up to Auris Ear Care a London clinic who does just that and more! 

3. Damon finally admitted to using heroin in his latest autobiographical album Everyday Robots (2015). The song "You and Me", referencing Justine Frischmann and his heroin use, found him admitting his 5-day-a-week regime. He has said that it's a relief that it can all become out in the open, since he was "mysterious" about his heroin usage during the 1990s.

4. Damon has a really close relationship with his daughter Missy Albarn. He always writes songs for her and according to him, she "cries" with embarassment. He also admits that his collaborations in the latest Gorillaz album Humanz is based off Missy's choices and favorites. What a dad!

5. Damon is a perpetual suitor when it comes to collaborations. How he managed to get Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground star on the old Gorillaz album was because he sent in hundreds of songs but were all rejected by Lou Reed. He said the secret to his success is to never give up on pestering the great musicians of his time.

New Gorillaz Track- Strange Timez ft Robert Smith

The latest Gorillaz track on their new album "The Song Machine" is out! Watch below for the full song. 

 

New Gorillaz Album FULL TRACKLISTING revealed - The Song Machine

 Gorillaz has just unveiled their latest "album" (or "Song Machine" as Damon Albarn prefers to call it) and it's very exciting. The online song machine features 17 exclusive new tracks, featuring guests like Beck, Elton John, The Cure’s Robert Smith, Fatoumata Diawara, St. Vincent, ex-New Order bassist Peter Hook, rappers ScHoolboy Q and Slowthai and many more. The tracklist appears below.

Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez – FULL TRACKLISTING:

1. Strange Timez (ft. Robert Smith)
2. The Valley of The Pagans (ft. Beck)
3. The Lost Chord (ft. Leee John)
4. Pac-Man (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
5. Chalk Tablet Towers (ft. St Vincent)
6. The Pink Phantom (ft. Elton John and 6LACK)
7. Aries (ft. Peter Hook and Georgia)
8. Friday 13 th  (ft. Octavian)
9. Dead Butterflies (ft. Kano and Roxani Arias)
10. Désolé (ft. Fatoumata Diawara) (Extended Version)
11. Momentary Bliss (ft. slowthai and Slaves)

Deluxe – TRACKLISTING:

1. Strange Timez (ft. Robert Smith)
2. The Valley of The Pagans (ft. Beck)
3. The Lost Chord (ft. Leee John)
4. Pac-Man (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
5. Chalk Tablet Towers (ft. St Vincent)
6. The Pink Phantom (ft. Elton John and 6LACK)
7. Aries (feat. Peter Hook and Georgia)
8. Friday 13 th  (ft. Octavian)
9. Dead Butterflies (ft. Kano and Roxani Arias)
10. Désolé (ft. Fatoumata Diawara) (Extended Version)
11. Momentary Bliss (ft. slowthai and Slaves)
12. Opium (ft. EARTHGANG)
13. Simplicity (ft. Joan As Police Woman)
14. Severed Head (ft. Goldlink and Unknown Mortal Orchestra)
15. With Love To An Ex (ft. Moonchild Sanelly)
16. MLS (feat. JPEGMAFIA and CHAI)
17. How Far? (ft. Tony Allen and Skepta)

The full album is out on October 23, so stay tuned for more. 

How To Look As Youthful As Damon Albarn when he was Young

For all of you skincare fans out there, today we'd like to introduce to you a great skincare and beauty shop called StrawberryNet, which sells discounted skincare brands at a very affordable rate. Think brands like Shiseido, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Lancome and SKII, and they'll have a lot of products on offer. If you want to look as youthful as Damon Albarn did when he was in his prime (think 1990s Blur- the baby-faced look that all Blur fans adored) then check out our review of StrawberryNet below.

We here at Blurballs got a sample of their skincare products and we are very impressed with their shipping speed and prices. For under USD $100 we managed to snag some Estee Lauder advanced night repair complex as well as some makeup and Shiseido, which originally costs around double the price. 

The quality of these skincare products are pretty great. We've tested the items for about a week now and they're making our skin glow. We all want to stay young forever and look as good as Damon Albarn did in his prime! 

The best thing about the website is that they ship worldwide for free, which means that if you're in the UK or US, or Europe, you can get affordable products shipped directly to your door for free! 

Use the code "10FLORA" for 10% off your order! 

Damon Albarn to throw Tony Allen Tribute

 The year’s AIM Independent Music Awards will close tonight with a tribute to the late, great drummer Tony Allen with a very special performance from long-time friends and collaborators Damon Albarn, Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso, Gorillaz’ Seye Adelekan and Remi Kabaka Jr., as well as Allen’s The Good, The Bad & The Queen bandmate Simon Tong.

This very personal tribute performance of the track ‘Go Back’ from Allen’s fifth album Film of Life will see Allen’s former student Femi Koleoso on drums; Simon Tong on guitar; Seye Adelekan on guitar and vocals; Remi Kabaka Jr. on percussion; and Damon Albarn on vocals and Wurlitzer. Tony Allen collaborated closely with Damon Albarn on many projects over the years including The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Rocketjuice & The Moon, as well as the music collective Africa Express.

The performance celebrates Allen posthumously receiving the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music award in association with Merlin for his rich and hugely significant creative output. He is also in the running for Best Independent Track in association with Facebook for ‘We’ve Landed’, a collaborative track with the late jazz great Hugh Masekela.

The news comes the day before the first ever virtual AIM Independent Music Awards celebrating its tenth anniversary year, which will be broadcast live on SBTV’s YouTube channel on 12 August from 7pm. Viewers can tune in for free via YouTube here or aimawards.co.uk/watch.

Other artists lined up for the show include UK rap frontrunners AJ Tracey and Little Simz, who are both also receiving awards this year, and rising star Arlo Parks, who is nominated for One To Watch in association with BBC Music Introducing. Other special guests are yet to be revealed.

Leading the way for virtual live events, Little Simz and AJ Tracey’s performances will take place in an ‘extended reality’ studio, creating an exciting hybrid of video and live performance brought to life by 3D graphics, with enormous potential for compelling visual storytelling.

18 awards, from Best Independent Label in association with [PIAS] to the famous Best Independent Album in association with Spotify, will be given away on the night, with the full list of nominees now announced and available to view here. Digga D and Moses Boyd currently lead the way with three nominations each.

Those wishing to get the full AIM Awards experience are invited to download the official app, featuring exclusive content from performers and partners and giving guests the chance to take part in live polls and discussions during the event. To download it, simply search ‘AIM - Official’ in the app store.

Source: Music News 

Reject False Icons- Out Now!

Heads up -the new Gorillaz film "Reject False Icons" is released in the UK and the US on 16 December 2019 and we are very excited for this feature film on the wonderful band. 

After three years working on it, the Gorillaz will at last release their documentary concert film, Gorillaz: Reject False Icons, in less than three weeks.

The 30-second trailer, released on Wednesday (Nov. 27 2019), shows footage of Damon Albarn working with his collaborators onstage and in the studio. Clips of the animated band weave into the show, and the doc will feature appearances by Vince Staples, Pusha T and more.

Watch the trailer below!

The Best London Electricians - SOS Electricals

Every commercial or residential building faces electrical problems at some point in time. If you are looking for a commercial electrician in London, look no further as I want to introduce you to a great company called SOS Electricals.

SOS Electricals is a team of electrical contractors and project managers based in London. They specialise on a huge range of commercial and residential projects around the city, and have done numerous high-scaled projects for big-named clients. The company is trusted by London’s architects, interior designers, estate agents, developers and homeowners to deliver to the highest possible standards.

Their goal is to work with clients closely and meet their demands and needs. As a resuly, SOS Electricals provide a bespoke and customised service for every one of their client. They consult and discuss their work at every stage during the process, and ensures that the client is happy with the results of the works. Undertaking a refurbishment project can be a scary and tough, but this challenging process can be taken care of by their specialised team and experts.

SOS provides a huge range of services for domestic and commercial premises, including:

Some of the services that they offer include:

Domestic 

Fault Finding & Repairs 

Distribution Boards 

Power and Lighting Design 

Home Networking 

Complete Re-wiring 

AV Systems 

Lighting Control Systems 

Home Automation 

Fire Alarm Systems 

Outdoor Lighting 

Security Installations 

Periodic Inspection and Testing 

Commercial 

Maintenance 

Design and Installation of Electrical Systems 

Fault Finding & Repairs 

Access Control 

Lighting Control Systems 

Emergency Lighting 

Fire Alarm Systems 

Lighting Design 

Data Cabling 

Security Lighting 

Outdoor Electrical Work 

Periodic Inspection and Testing

Overall, if you're in need of a trustworthy electrician, look no further than SOS Electricals.