How ELBOW Frontman Guy Garvey Stays Grounded Despite Success
ELBOW singer Guy Garvey is sitting in a coffee shop near his South London studio and musing on the question: Does he ever feel that success has gone to his head?
Reflecting on Success and Staying Humble
It is the subject matter of Things I’ve Been Telling Myself For Years, the first song on Elbow’s splendid tenth record Audio Vertigo.
Guy Garvey’s Secret to Staying Down-to-Earth
The warm and grounded singer says: “Writing it, I was thinking about frontmen who have left the planet with their ego, and I thought how if I didn’t have my mates around me or if I’d got into drugs, I could be a maniacal big-head.
Finding Inspiration and Reflecting on Youth
Writing the album-opener was inspired by a conversation Garvey had with his wife, actress Rachael Stirling about his ability to “read people”.
A Return to Childhood and Cherishing Memories
Taking a sip from his cuppa, Garvey continues: “That song is a return to putting Jack in my shoes. Growing up we had a ruined factory at the bottom of the field next to our house.
Elbow’s New Beat-Driven Sound
Elbow get their groove on for Audio Vertigo, an album Garvey describes as “a bit of a romp”. He adds: “It’s a rock record and it’s a lot of fun. When we started this record we said it should be beat-driven.
Navigating Dark Themes with a Bright Sound
Audio Vertigo was made at Migration Studios in Gloucestershire with some final tweaking at the band’s Salford Blueprint Studios.
Facing Challenges and Pushing Boundaries
Her To Earth was a track presented to Garvey by the band as “bargain basement, Stevie Wonder”.
Embracing Friendship and Unity
Friendship has always been central to Elbow. Garvey, Craig, Mark and Pete all met as teenagers and have played together since 1990.
Reflecting on Milestones and Looking Ahead
Two weeks ago, Garvey turned 50 and says it’s made him reflect on what he’s achieved.
Excitment for the Future
Reflecting on what their next tour will be like, he says: “Controlling my booze consumption worries me far more than the performances. And also sleeping on tour buses with our 50-year-old bodies — I might need a back crack after a few days.