Bassist Alex James, along with Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree, formed Blur in 1988. In 2023, Blur brought out their ninth studio album, The Ballad of Darren, and played two sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium. Alex started making cheese in 2003, and hosts an annual food and music event, the Big Feastival, on his farm in the Cotswolds. He is married to Claire Neate and has five children – Geronimo, twins Artemis and Gallileo, Sable and Beatrix. His book, Over the Rainbow, is his account of Blur’s reformation and tour in 2023.
Why Over the Rainbow?
I just think there was a proper sense of enchantment with Blur getting back together. It was magical. But it started with me cacking it on the M40 on the way into London for that first meeting with the band, to see if we could do it… four stone overweight, and just thinking: “What band doesn’t hate one another at this point?”
