Example… He’s looking downwards because he’s reading the interview

Interview: Example

Published on October 30th, 2012 | Jonny Abrams

Example is set to release his fourth album The Evolution of Man, which features guitar contributions from Graham Coxon no less, so Rocksucker exploited a brief window of opportunity to ask him about the record, as well as a couple of burning issues pertaining to an evil clown and how different fowl react to being fed leftover pizza.

Before that, however, check out the video to forthcoming single “Close Enemies”…

Vague question alert: what can we expect from the new album?

It’s a very open and personal journey; I wrote it in January, so it’s a snapshot of how my life changed and how I changed in 2011. It talks about relationships and personal issues that all human beings go through, though, so it’s not just about me although it is very autobiographical. There are a lot more guitars on this album…

Is that Graham Coxon‘s doing?

Graham Coxon played on four tracks, but the whole album’s inspired by grunge, rock and metal, but produced electronically. It’s not going to be too much of a departure from what people have heard from me before, except for the fact that there are guitars in place of the synths.

What does the evil clown in the “Close Enemies” video represent? Is he your nemesis?

(Laughs) D’you know what, I don’t even know what the video’s about! I was watching TV a couple of months ago and video after video were all the same: they were all glossy, they were all fluffy and colourful, and it was just people hugging in a club or in their bedroom or on a beach, and I was so fed up with people hugging on a beach, and everything being fun and beautiful, I was like, “Fuck this.”

I remember watching the video to “Firestarter” by The Prodigy when I was a kid, and I’d never seen anything like it before; it was so menacing, so I just said, “Let’s make a fucked-up video that scares young kids.” All the TV channels have turned around and said they’re not going to play it, and I’m like, “Great! Fuck you!”

Before you go, I must ask you about the following tweets of yours:

Going to feed the ducks. Hope they like Hawaiian pizza

— example (@example) October 29, 2012

Ducks do NOT like leftover pizza. However, Canadian geese DO like leftover pizza. Okay, back to work everyone

— example (@example) October 29, 2012

I was wondering about your methodology, since you have not indicated whether or not the Canadian geese were also fed Hawaiian pizza; suffice it to say, if they were not then there remains the possibility that the discrepancy is toppings-based. Was your experiment consistent?

Yes, they were both given Hawaiian pizza.

Example, thank you.

Example - The Evolution of Man

This November will see the release of Example’s fourth album The Evolution of Man, which has already spawned the number 2 single “Say Nothing”. For more information, please visit www.trythisforexample.com

Click here to read Example talking to Football Burp about his beloved Fulham FC!

Artists: example

About the Author

Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.