X-clusive: Damon Albarn On Band Aid

As well as helping out serving tea and biscuits to the assembled musical masses (Bono’s idea apparently), Blur frontman Damon Albarn took time out to speak to Xfm about the continued support Band Aid, and Africa needs from everyone.

Speaking to Xfm during the recording of Band Aid 20 at Air Studios in North London last night, Albarn explained why he came down to the session and why he sees the Band Aid single as only a starting point for musician’s involvement in Africa.

“I just felt like I should be helping out, rather than just sort of standing around. I’m very committed to working in Africa, yeah. I don’t work with Band Aid but I do work a lot with Oxfam. I think it would be nice if Band Aid could really open people’s minds to the actual vicinity of Africa in context with Europe, as opposed to this kind ofdesperate pit, where everything is always going wrong and we can just from time to time, lavish them with a bit of our money, I think it’s got to be very long term.

“It would be nice if all of the artists here found out a bit more about what they’re singing for. But that comes with time y’know? And some people here will eventually end up moving into that kind of state of mind.”

Albarn also explained his hopes that the day itself will represent the reinvention of a more politicised musician.

“This is not just the current crop of musicians getting massive media profile and generating money – though that is obviously part of it – it’s also about a revival of a more committed musician who isn’t there just to look pretty all the time.” He explained, “There are a lot of musicians like that, but not a lot of the ones who’ve been chosen to represent something with as much depth as this.

“I came cos I thought I’d be very sorry if I didn’t and I’ve really enjoyed making tea for everyone. But when I wake up tomorrow, I’ll still be involved with Africa. That’s what I’d like everyone here to wake up to tomorrow. Bob and Midge and all those involved with the Band Aid Trust are, but its not a walk in walk out thing.”

As for Albarn’s tea making duities, it appears Bono told him to get involved in the kitchen  

“I asked him to make the tea,” the U2 frontman explained to Xfm, “I did. I saw him on Thursday night. He said ‘I don’t know what to do’ I said, ‘Make tea,’ he said ‘You really think so?’ I said, ‘Yeah, make tea’. So he came down and made tea? Good on him. I always knew that boy would turn out good in the end.” 

For a full report on what happened at the Band Aid 20 session, click here.

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