Singer David Gray thought it’d be OK to ridicule Trump in the US. He was wrong

Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects we’re told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics they’re given. This week he speaks to David Gray. The British singer-songwriter, 57, has recorded 13 studio albums, including White Ladder, one of the biggest-selling albums of the 21st century. His latest album is Dear Life.

David Gray: “Once you’re over 50, you can go on a low-carb diet for six months and only lose half a stone.”Credit: Robin Grierson

POLITICS

“All art – especially music – is political.” Discuss. It’s hard to argue against that. But on the tour that I’m on, I’m carefully avoiding any reference to politics because we’re in a very toxic and destabilised political situation globally. When Trump came onto the political playing field, I was playing some shows in America and ridiculed one of his completely goofy comments on stage. To my astonishment, a large portion of the crowd booed me. And I thought, “OK, this disingenuous, ungracious and downright fraudulent individual has convinced a lot of these people that he’s got some merit to him.” In the past, I’ve been outspoken on stage, but I don’t want to use my pedestal to preach. It seems to move so swiftly to a place of combat, and idiocy prevails. It’s highly unsatisfactory. But anyone who listens to my music will see that there’s a human-centric view at the heart of it.

How are things feeling in the UK right now, politically? More sane or just as unhinged as ever? It’s not as unhinged, but you have to be very careful how you read the results of our elections. We didn’t get a pro-Labour result last year; it was anti-the [Tory] administration. So it’s very hard to read what the country wants to be, or is. It’s a relief not to have the nonsense that was here [in power] for quite some time – and to have someone [Prime Minister Keir Starmer] who’s trying to be a grown-up. That’s a step in the right direction. But Starmer’s nervous and scared to make a strong move because he hasn’t really been given a vote of confidence. So there’s a long way to go. And yet, when you meet people individually, they’re not complete idiots.

Have you considered running for office? You’ve got the trust and the public recognition, you’re across the issues and there’s even talk of anthems … [Laughs] I got a cold call [from the Labour Party]. Normally, I go, “Look, I haven’t got time for this” but, this time, I said, “Oh, you want my opinion, do you?” And I gave this young guy both barrels. The last thing he said was, “Have you thought of running for politics?”

What was your answer? I just burst out laughing.

It’s not outside the realm of possibility that you end up in the House of Lords. [Laughs] Highly unlikely. I’m basically a republican and they know it.

MONEY

Before White Ladder became a global phenomenon, you were doing things pretty tough, right? Well, I don’t like to romanticise or mythologise the extremes, but I’d had a couple of record deals that hadn’t worked out and we were wondering where the money was going to keep coming from. My wife was training to be a solicitor, so it looked as if she’d be the breadwinner. Just when I was wondering where the next 50 quid was going to come from, someone covered a load of my songs and I got a big publishing cheque out of the blue for 10 grand or something. We used that to buy a couple more bits of gear [to record White Ladder]. Life’s always been kind to me. Every time it looks as if things are going to get sticky, something seems to come along. White Ladder is the ultimate thing that came along.

Was there a point where you realised, “I’m rich”? I’m always in denial of that fact; money can distort and overwhelm all the good things in life. I don’t want to disrespect it, though: money needs to be shown respect. But when it starts to come in, it’s overwhelming. You make stupid decisions; you buy furniture you don’t like. It was a bit of an education. Suddenly, I thought, “I’ve got a young family. Let’s get a big house with a nice garden and do it up.” So I went for it. I spent all the money buying a place in the countryside [near Holme, on the Norfolk coast]. And that coincided with the end of the music business as we knew it. Record sales collapsed and the only way you could really keep the wheels on was by touring.

BODIES

You’re in your mid-50s. How’s your body holding up? I give myself seven out of 10; I’m doing OK. I’ve got a bad back and some neck issues. I’m very disinhibited with my movement when I’m playing and I think there’s a bit of wear and tear. And once you’re over 50, you can go on a f---ing low-carb diet for six months and only lose half a stone. Then you have three chocolate biscuits and you’re back where you started.

So how do you take care of yourself when touring? It’s such a cycle of exhaustion and adrenaline. You get into such broken sleep. We’ll have soundcheck, dinner, sleep. If it’s a nice day, I’ll go out for a walk. But often, the venue is in some weird zone outside the city. You’re always in a kind of fight-or-flight mode, ready to go on stage and do the thing; you never turn off the adrenaline. My massive preoccupation is my voice: when I’m tired, that’s the first thing to suffer. So I have to look after it. That’s why I can’t be partying and smoking spliffs.

What’s your superpower? My voice. Endurance. The psychology to push through.

David Gray’s Past and Present Tour comes to Melbourne (Palais Theatre) November 9-10 and Sydney (State Theatre) November 12-13.

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