Not content with being the frontman for one of the UK's most underrated bands, former Supergrass man Gaz Coombes has since struck out on his own to great effect, obtaining a Mercury Prize nomination for his 2015 album Matador, his second as a solo artist.
He continues to spread the word via his critically-acclaimed live shows, and will be appearing at Brighton festival Together The People this coming Saturday, alongside Brian Wilson, The Horrors, Suede and many others at Preston Park - make sure you head down and check him out.
In the meantime, we spoke with Gaz to discover his Ultimate Playlist, and the stories behind his selections...
Favourite song from your childhood
"I remember finding my mum’s original copy of Sgt Peppers when I was a kid and I just became obsessed with Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. She was pretty pissed off when she found out I'd been playing it over and over on my shitty Alba turntable with its needle of destruction."
Favourite movie soundtrack song
"Years ago I bought my kids an animated film called The Point. It's a pretty psychedelic experience, very charming. All the music is by Harry Nilsson & there's a wonderful little song called Me & My Arrow."
Favourite sad song
"I always think the best thing about a really sad song is how that emotion can actually make you feel kind of warm, the sadness wraps its arms around you and you come out the other end feeling good, feeling more grounded. Till I Die by The Beach Boys does that to me."
Favourite club anthem
"Perhaps not a club anthem in the traditional sense but Love Is The Drug by Roxy Music is always a winner when you need to pick up an ailing DJ set."
Favourite lyric from a song
"Well there's a lyric that I can't help but sing at the top of my voice whenever I hear it. When Bowie sings 'It was cold and it rained so I felt like an actor, and I thought of Ma and I wanted to get back there' from Five Years. Gets me every time."
Favourite song that no one else knows
"This Heat - Health & Efficiency. I'm sure there's a fair few who know this lot. But everyone I play this track to has never heard of them. I love this track - about two minutes in, the whole thing loops on itself, I really like that weird change."
Favourite wedding song
"I'm not much of a dancer, but one song that gets me on that temporary marquee dance floor for a few minutes is Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson. I hear those opening bars then suddenly find myself hitting moves with someone's mum."
Favourite current song
"I heard Bon Iver’s 33 “GOD" the other day. Pretty cool, there's some mad sounds going on, you hear something new each time you listen."
Favourite song from your own music
"Man that's a tough one... Ok if I must. When I finished recording English Ruse from my Matador album, I was listening back in the studio & felt a buzz I hadn't had for a long time, I thought to myself - that's the kind of band I want to be in!"
