It looked like a baptism of fire: David Bowie interview just weeks after being instructed to take care of the music news in “Parisian”. Both exciting and terrifying. At that time in June 2002, David Bowie has released ‘Heathen’ drive certainly succeeded, but that has nothing to do with his masterpieces of yesteryear. The rock star has no plans to embark on a world tour to defend his new songs, but decided to give some concerts in more intimate places to launch this album. In Paris, the singer chose the Olympia for a single date on July 1. He speaks little on the occasion of this new album but agree to receive us on the eve of the show like no other.
So management in London Eurostar to resume the train … in the opposite direction, towards Paris. For it is in a wagon that the interview should take place between England and France. Half an hour alone together. As much get ahead, arrive early to the London station to avoid delays, any unplanned. Once there, I wait in the departure lounge. The time of departure to Paris approach. And if I did this interview in mind for days, others are passionate travelers who wait patiently for more … football. In June 30, 2002, a large screen broadcasts the final of the World Cup that pits Germany and Brazil. All have their eyes on the game and hardly anyone sees passing on the side, along the wall a funny character. Suit, tie, Borsalino hat, old suitcase in hand, David Bowie seems to come from another time, almost anachronistic appearance in this ultra modern place.
He greets me with a big smile
Only a teen looks at the pass, speechless. I see that she told her father that did catch anything. “But it was David Bowie!” Except that the singer disappeared into the VIP lounge of the Eurostar. It only reappears in the first class carriage of the train to Paris: Car 9 Eurostar 9032. His team booked all seats. I find myself among his musicians a few meters from his bald bassist Gail Ann Dorsey who listens to music. Peaceful ambience inside, away from the tension that you could imagine in his surroundings.
His manager warned me that we will soon begin. I sum up all my questions that I have read, reread a thousand times before coming, which I imagined all the possible answers. “All right, here we go? You come with me? “They led me in the middle of the wagon, where Bowie sits. I sit facing him. He greets me with a big smile. “Hello, nice to meet you,” me-he says. This first sentence already seems unreal to me.
Still, it must focus on those precious 30 minutes of maintenance beginning. We often know within seconds how an interview will take place. Good or bad. Good humor, availability and attention of David Bowie are seen immediately and leave no doubt. Everything will be alright. It evokes the concert the next day at the Olympia hall has just been renovated at the time. “It is no longer the history Olympia, the room has moved a bit right?” Me-he asks. I find myself explaining that yes it has changed, but not that much. A friendly and memorable discussion begins.
“With a girl you become very conservative …”
It will last for thirty minutes. He obviously speaks to me of his album that just came out, inspired by the birth of his daughter Alexandria Zahra Jones two years ago. “In writing, I was thinking more his world than mine. When you have a child, you must see the world through his eyes. And you’re inevitably furious when you observe how we acharnons to try to eradicate our species. We have learned nothing from history. I would be probably more resigned if it was not there. But with a little girl … you become very conservative philosophically conservative. “
It speaks of a very personal album, I ask him if it is true that Bowie drops the mask in this disc. “I will not say that. You know, I think you’re really yourself when you sit down at a table and you discuss. From the moment you make music, you build an artificial medium, and words can not do everything. They are the muscles, but they are supported by the mood of the song. This is why the creation always fascinates me. Anything can happen. I think I will never stop making music. If my voice was failing me, I would find singers to interpret my compositions “
In the middle of the interview, I remember thinking for a few seconds of inattention.” David Bowie is talking to you “as a spectator of the scene. Because during this interview, I feel that Bowie was there, fully there, at that moment, nothing could get him out of this conversation. Gentleman seducer. Then he also goes on among other edition of his masterpiece “Ziggy Stardust” published thirty years ago. “I think it’s an important album. It represents very well the time, when we realized that we live in a diverse society with different sexual identities, different musical identities. But I am not nostalgic for that time. I could not carry all these extravagant clothes! “He ended in a laugh. And me in a trance.
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