Damon Albarn

“Whenever you're writing something that's reflective, you have to put yourself through some sort of ordeal just to understand the way you're feeling.”

“Being in Blur has allowed me to travel and hear the music that's being made all over the world.”

“As soon as it sounds fine, I'm on to the next thing, man.”

“I hope we can keep doing it this way - making music and art that are pure products of our influences while not really having to let the whole celebrity side of it get in the way. Then maybe more virtual bands will come out and do the same thing.”

“It always struck me that Africa was, in a strange way, a futuristic place and had elements and vibes and spirits that were going to inform the future. Africa Express is an attempt to engage that power outside Africa, and for everyone to benefit from it.”

“When you're doing a deal with someone in the southern Sahara, it's a very different way of doing business than in London. You can't sign them in the usual way because they'd end up getting ripped off, which would defeat the object of setting up a label like this.”

“I like to go to Africa purely with something to do. I'm not very comfortable getting into an armor-plated Land Rover and going to see things, with my hand gel, you know, it's not me at all. So I like to hang out and you know, really get to know people and try and do something that resonates with them.”

“I'm English, and I started off as a songwriter, so I can't really escape that - it's there.”

“As a musician usually music is your way out.”

“And there are no stars and that you're never really sure who's doing what and what voice is what and, you know what I mean? It's supposed to be quite elusive.”

“I can't be bothered anymore about giving songs titles.”

“Whether people like it or not, China is incredibly important to the future of mankind. For me, this is something that we all need to have intelligent discussions about in America, in Britain, in Europe.”

“I enjoyed history at school. I'd always had a sense of pagan England.”

“More and more, cultural groups are cross-pollinating, and we're getting much more interesting art as a result.”