Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

I didn’t get into him at all for ages. For years and years I just thought, what is all the fuss about?’ I just could not get into it. And then one day someone said: "Have you listened to Hunky Dory?". I hadn’t checked that out at all. I really got into Hunky Dory. I transcribed and analysed nearly all the songs on it. I got into Low, and I quite like ‘Heroes’, and Scary Monsters. But there’s a lot of stuff I don’t like. I could probably list 10 Bowie songs that I think are amazing, and the rest of it I’m not too bothered about.

I’m really obsessed with him as a character, as an artist. To me he’s incredibly impressive and really exciting, his relentless drive to reinvent himself. Probably one of the most inspiring people I can think of. But musically, it’s not quite as abundant. That last album: it’s quite weird. I was really into Death Grips, he was really into Death Grips, and Kendrick Lamaar as well. It’s an album that owes a lot to those guys, but then it’s also got a saxophone player on it. This track ‘Girl Loves Me’, he uses the language from Clockwork Orange. It’s just a brilliant idea.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Pat Nevin, Annie Nightingale, Roly Porter
Previous

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today