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Guy Garvey

Kirsty Young talks to Guy Garvey, musician and frontman of Elbow.

Guy Garvey, musician and frontman of Elbow, is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert island Discs.

Front man of the group "Elbow" his voice and lyrics have helped the band win pretty much every music prize going ... headlining Glastonbury too, and playing at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics. Yet his image is that of an everyday, low key, unassuming bloke ... except that he isn't, he's penning and performing songs filled with intimacy, optimism and lyricism, that strike a chord with millions of fans.

For a long while his devotees were well versed in the art of delayed gratification - Elbow's debut album was released 11 years after the band members first made music together.

He writes his songs in his journal and has been keeping a diary since he was 14. Maybe it was the peace and calm of the blank page that first appealed - one of 7 kids he says he was brought up "in a house full of women that were singing, shouting, arguing, fighting over the bathroom. I'm ruined by these women, spoilt rotten".

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 8 Aug 2014 09:00

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Talk Talk

      New Grass

      • Laughing Stock.
      • Verve.
  • Sly & the Family Stone

    Thank you for Talkin' to me to Africa

    • ThereÂ’s a Riot GoinÂ’ On.
    • Epic.
  • Joni Mitchell

    A Case of You

    • Both Sides Now.
    • Reprise Records.
  • Public Enemy

    Give It Up (edit)

    • Give It Up.
    • Def Jam.
  • Joseph Canteloube

    Bailero from Chants d'Auvergne

    Performer: Arleen Augér. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra. Performer: Yan Pascal Tortelier.
    • Chants DÂ’Auvergne.
    • Virgin Classics.
  • Jolie Holland

    Wandering Angus

    • Catalpa.
    • Anti.
  • Tom Waits

    Picture in a Frame

    • Mule Variations.
    • EPITAPH.
  • Joan As Police Woman

    Real Life

    • Real Life/Joan as Police Woman.
    • Reveal.
  • Book Choice

    • The collected works - J.D. Salinger

  • Luxury Choice

    • Bushmills Irish Whiskey and ice

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Guy Garvey
Producer Sarah Taylor

Broadcasts

  • Sun 3 Aug 2014 11:15
  • Fri 8 Aug 2014 09:00

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