My parents got me a cheap nylon string guitar when I was seven. I learned how to play La Bamba behind my back so I could show off when my friends came round. They weren’t that impressed, really. So I had to work harder and progressed to writing songs. They’re still not that impressed…
When I turned 18, I thought “sod university, I want to be in a band”. So I spent the next five years on the dole, working in venues, skateboard stores, anything to get by so I could write songs and gig. Eventually we signed a deal and had 10 years of making records and touring. When we decided to call it a day as a band I just decided to try collaborating with a few other artists and I’ve now been doing that for the last six years.
Initially it was a big adjustment, but exciting as it was something different. There were points where it was like 'man this is hard work' and then other points, like two years after no touring, when I started wanting to be on tour! But then I also chose song writing because I had kids so thought 'I want to be around for them now'. So you have to deal with that kind of change in life but even now, like seven years on, I still get those tour cravings!
I'd never rule it [Athlete] out happening again, but it would be very difficult, even just logistically. Once you all go your separate ways and start brand new careers, just getting together for a pint these day is hard. It does happen but you should see the number of emails that go around!