A very curious piece of writing in today’s Observer as novelist Douglas Coupland meets up with Morrissey in the latter’s new haunt of the mean streets of Rome. Curious because while it is a fairly well-written and interesting overview and album review it presents itself as an interview – which it clearly isn’t. After expounding his view that interviews are a waste of time Coupland does little more than hint at having met Morrissey, says his head looks big before making several other very broad-brush statements and then digressing into how much he likes the album. Not a bad piece of reading, but, as interviews go, it doesn’t. Like I say, odd. Any “proper” journalist caught doing this would probably get the sack!
I’ve high hopes for new album Ringleader of the Tormentors, where the “increasingly Catholic” Moz promises to go both orchestral and sexy on our ass. Well, I like the sound of it anyway. And I loved the single.
Meanwhile, here’s a link to Chris Mitchell’s old interview with Douglas Coupland on Spike, wherein DC speaks of his love for Moz long before Girlfriend In A Coma was written. Proof also perhaps that an e-mailed interview can sometimes be far more illuminating than a misguided plane out to Italy…
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There are so many “journalists” passing off stage-managed PR twaddle as “interviews” these days; at least this is honest. I don’t think Coupland would presume to describe this as an interview, but maybe some dullard Observer section editor did, for reasons of tidiness and taxonomy.
And yes, the Blessed Moz does have an impressively massive bonce, doesn’t he?
Hmmm, I’m in two minds to be honest. Yes, its probably the Observer to blame in having a big splash with “exclusive interview” on the cover. And yes Coupland’s was honest, and not un-entertaining.
On the other hand, I can’t help but think its a bit of a waste having Coupland travelling half way round the world to write an article he could just as easily have done without leaving his front room.
As for the head comment- you come outside and say that!