20 Questions with Johnny Marr

On the release of his new solo record The Age of Everything, the influential musician shares a mantra he lives by, some favourite lyrics and his dream collaborators

Johnny Marr has long been known as one of the most creative, unique and influential guitar players in the history of pop music. He created a shimmering sonic framework for 1980s indie in his visionary work in The Smiths that continues to be foundational and endlessly emulated to this day. He’s been a member of The The, teamed up with New Order’s Bernard Sumner to form the electronic pop outfit, Electronic, and has also had stints in bands such as Modest Mouse and The Cribs. But despite a lifetime of collaborations, Marr is in something of a new chapter of his career as a solo artist. In the last 13 years he has released five albums, with the latest being perhaps his best yet: The Age of Everything.  

Here, Marr walks us through a life and career that has led him to a current place of catharsis.

1. Tell us about the significance of your album’s title, The Age of Everything?

It was a phrase somebody used in passing but it really jumped out at me and was exactly right for the record. We’re now in the fourth decade of what you could call the digital revolution, which I genuinely believe is as significant in evolutionary terms as the industrial revolution. We’re going through a massively significant period of human change and, unfortunately, I don’t think our biology, psychology and spirituality is quite up to the job and moving as fast as the rate of technology. So, it’s to do with overstimulation – being overwhelmed and slightly overcooked.

2. You’ve described this album as being the most cathartic you’ve made. Why?

I didn’t quite realise that I had some things to get off my chest. I’m not hectoring anybody with political opinions but I felt like I’d drawn a line under a certain period of my life. And maybe I’m just a bit tired of the dialogues and narratives that we find ourselves having to encounter. It feels like this record sums up the way I was feeling about all of that. Hopefully with some empathy. A new acquaintance of mine, who is not that au fait with any of my work, described the album as being emphatic. I think that captures it.

 3. Is there a particular track on this album that holds real significance to you?

Beyond the Rain. I’d like it if it was done by a different band and I’d be almost envious of it because I think it’s a really lovely tune. We were about to record it when my phone lit up and it was Noel Gallagher. I wouldn’t normally answer when I’m about to record but it’s unusual for Noel to call when he knows I’m recording. I picked it up and he told me that Mani [Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield] had died. He was a friend and part of our world. At that moment, I had to choose whether I was going to down tools or press record. I could hear Mani’s voice in my head going, “Mr Marr, 1234, let’s go”. So, almost in honour of Mani and his spirit, we recorded the song. It was a hard take, and then we went again, but we couldn’t do it a third time. Everyone was too upset. When I came back the next day to do the vocals, I put in the line: “I shine like a northern son”. So, the song took on a deeper resonance for me because my friend had gone.

4. You’ve been writing songs since you were 11 or 12 years old, do you believe in, or ever get, writer’s block?

I can see how it can happen, and there’s been times in my life when I’ve let the gears get a little rusty, but I tend to think it’s more of an inconvenience than a disaster, and maybe even kind of necessary. As I’m older now, I tend to think that you just have to keep exercising that muscle like anything else to avoid atrophy.

5. Have you ever fallen out of love with the guitar as an instrument?

Oh no, absolutely not. It’s been part of my family life since I was a little kid. That’s like saying you’ve fallen out of being an animal lover. It’s part of who you are.

Are there any mantras you live by? “‘Be as you wish to seem’ – Socrates” – Johnny Marr

6. Is the enduring legacy of The Smiths ever something you get tired of? Can it get in the way?

I come from a working-class Irish family, so I know how lucky I am to be known for anything. The only time it was annoying was when I was in The The and Electronic and journalists wouldn’t stop harping on about it. 

 7. 24 Hour Party People is about to be re-released, which didn’t feature The Smiths. Would you have liked to have been featured in that film?

I don’t see how The Smiths could fit into that narrative other than possibly a scene where Tony Wilson comes to see us. I didn’t bother watching that film for years and I was sceptical but when I finally got around to seeing it, I thought the overall message of the movie was absolutely accurate. It’s the story of idealism, ridiculousness, innovation and bloody-mindedness. And when I say ridiculous, I really mean the kind of ridiculous that the world could use a lot more of. 

 8. You’ve collaborated with loads of people, is there anyone you’d still love to work with?

PJ Harvey.

 9. Are there any mantras you live by?

“Be as you wish to seem” – Socrates

10. What is your earliest memory?

Being given a harmonica on the pavement on a blazing hot day in 1968.

11. Can you name your favourite song lyrics?

The The’s Slow Motion Replay. “Everybody knows what’s going wrong with the world / But I don’t even know what’s going on in myself”

12. If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?

I think I would be an architect.

13. What trip have you always wanted to take?

I still want to go down the Nile or the Amazon.

What’s something people assume about you that’s not true? “That I leap out of bed with wild abandon and the confidence to dominate the world” – Johnny Marr

14. What’s your best on-stage experience?

The Inception premiere in 2010. It was the first time I played on stage with an orchestra and it was the instrumental symphony suite of the movie soundtrack, which I was the lead instrumentalist in.

15. Who do you admire most in history?

Aldous Huxley.

16. And now?

I really admire Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

17. What item of clothing can’t you live without?

A belt. Just any belt. It’s not for functional reasons, I doubt my trousers would actually fall down, but I’d probably feel better without my shoes on than I would without a belt. My trousers just feel incomplete without a belt. If God had not wanted you to wear a belt, he wouldn’t have invented loopholes.

18. What’s something people assume about you that’s not true?

That I leap out of bed with wild abandon and the confidence to dominate the world. I’m slightly more considered and, hopefully more considerate, than people realise.

 19. Most treasured possession?

Right now, it would be my 1973 knackered off-Olympic white Fender Stratocaster

 20. What are you most proud of?

I’m proud that what I’ve done, I’ve done on my own terms.

The Age of Everything is released on October 2nd, via BMG