Every time I go to Africa, I see the future. I see what the Western world is going to become. It's a very futuristic place. Damon Albarn More Quotes by Damon Albarn More Quotes From Damon Albarn I'm an English songwriter/composer, working in Mandarin and trying to find something about Chinese culture that I really relate to and respect and feel some genuine emotions for - and it's quite hard, the pentatonic scale, and that, in a way, is why I think it works. Because I'm forced to limit myself to quite strict rules about what I did. Maybe that's how I avoided pastiche. Damon Albarn chinese trying thinking My heart is broken, democracy has failed us. Damon Albarn entertainment It's a truly miraculous sound they create ... There's a whole choir, there's strings, there's soloists, there's amazing percussion. It's a really dynamic and joyous sound, we're so used to seeing Syria through the prism of news, which is entirely a negative thing. This concert will give a completely different perspective. Damon Albarn lifestyle It's not like my old self - I'm not in character anymore, I'm me. I'm not hiding behind that anymore. Damon Albarn behind me self character I want to be a better person in every aspect. I really don't feel I've in anyway fulfilled my potential in every area of my life. But I'm optimistic. Damon Albarn my-life feel better life It always struck me that Africa was, in a strange way, a futuristic place and had elements and vibes and spirits that were going to inform the future. Africa Express is an attempt to engage that power outside Africa, and for everyone to benefit from it. Damon Albarn me vibes future power As soon as it sounds fine, I'm on to the next thing, man. Damon Albarn soon man fine next I'm a working musician, so it's what I do. I kind of always have lots of plates spinning, and it's the ones that keep spinning the longest that I end up doing. Damon Albarn end doing always spinning Whenever you're writing something that's reflective, you have to put yourself through some sort of ordeal just to understand the way you're feeling. Damon Albarn yourself feeling you way I hope we can keep doing it this way - making music and art that are pure products of our influences while not really having to let the whole celebrity side of it get in the way. Then maybe more virtual bands will come out and do the same thing. Damon Albarn music hope way art You know, there are many alter egos and Gorillaz is a collective of alter egos, really. I think anyone who gets involved in it has to sort of accept that nothing is really as it seems. Damon Albarn nothing think know you China is one of those vast, continental conglomerates that... I mean, if they were to start a tourist trade in China, they'd just bus people in from another province, you know what I mean? They're very self-contained. Damon Albarn start know you people I'm English, and I started off as a songwriter, so I can't really escape that - it's there. Damon Albarn really escape english started Whether people like it or not, China is incredibly important to the future of mankind. For me, this is something that we all need to have intelligent discussions about in America, in Britain, in Europe. Damon Albarn me future important people