Johnny Marr: ‘I’m never without hope’

The former member of The Smiths releases his second solo album 'Playland' next month

Johnny Marr has given an in-depth new interview, in which the solo artist and former member of The Smiths commented: “I’m never without hope”.

When asked if he ever feels ‘like the last of something?’ in the world of rock’n’roll, he explained: “I hope not, but yeah. Yeah, I do. I think Billy [Bragg] represents it as well. But the great thing is that I spend a lot of time with people who go to college, and the majority of them are super-switched on… As always, it’s down to the young.” Asked if ‘there’s hope?’, he answered: “Oh, yeah. I’m never without hope. And I’m usually right.”

Marr also spoke about politics during the interview with The Guardian, saying he got depressed when the current Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government were appointed. “I’m not being dramatic, but I actually did get depressed in a way that surprised me, and it lasted quite a long time, when the current government got in… And with what’s happening with Ukip…”.

Advertisement

Marr’s new album ‘Playland’, the follow-up to 2013’s solo debut ‘The Messenger’, is released on October 6. Speaking previously to NME, he said it was a continuation of his last album, written while on the road in the past two years. Unlike its predecessor, which was made between Berlin, New York and Manchester, ‘Playland’ was recorded in London at Tritone Studios near Tower Bridge.

The ‘Playland’ tracklisting is:

‘Back In The Box’
‘Easy Money’
‘Dynamo’
‘Candidate’
’25 Hours’
‘The Trap’
‘Playland’
‘Speak Out Reach Out’
‘Boys Get Straight’
‘This Tension’
‘Little King’

Johnny Marr tours throughout October. He will play:

Lincoln The Engine Shed (October 13)
Southend Cliffs Pavillion (14)
Bexhill De La Warr Pavillion (15)
Wolverhampton Civic Hall (17)
Cardiff Great Hall (18)
Bournemouth O2 Academy (20)
Cambridge Corn Exchange (21)
London O2 Academy Brixton (23)
Bath Pavilion (24)
Manchester O2 Apollo (25)
Glasgow O2 Academy (27)
Newcastle O2 Academy (28)
Leeds O2 Academy (29)

To check the availability of Johnny Marr tickets and get all the latest listings, head to NME.COM/tickets.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories