Gary Numan: open conversation with a music legend

Away from his music, Numan has been upfront with fans, sharing personal struggles of depression and living with Aspergers.

Before his debut performance at Basingstoke's The Anvil on Friday, July 20, the Advertiser caught up with the 'Cars' singer to find out more about the man behind the music.

Your album Savage (From A Broken World) seems to draw from many influences, including middle eastern sounds and dystopian themes. What were your influences and ideas behind this album and what message were you trying to convey?

It didn’t have a message as such, although it has a strong connection to the dangers of ignoring climate change. I’ve slowly writing (very slowly to be honest) a novel set in a future world that has been decimated by global warming and the violent life and struggles of the people that remain. A life made even more difficult by the re-emergence of a long forgotten religion. It was the ideas for the book that I borrowed as the basis for the lyrics of the album. The imagery followed, a desert like world, a mixing of ancient cultures (which is why the album has a lot of Eastern influences running through it, even down to the font which looks Arabic but is actually English.)

You're on a huge world tour, what's the reasoning behind playing in a smaller town such as Basingstoke?

We’ve already played about 80 shows around the world with the new Savage album. We have at least another 50 or so to go and I’m not sure we’ll even be finished then. We’ve played small venues, big venues, festivals, anything and everything really. We have orchestral shows in November where our show at the Royal Albert Hall has already sold out, so it’s been a very diverse series of tours, really enjoyable. I like using the opportunity of festival warm up shows (which the one in Basingstoke is part of) by going in to smaller places, in areas major tours don’t usually bother to go to. I still believe that tours should go to where the people are rather than having everyone travel long distances to see the artist and these warm up shows mean that I can do exactly that.

You've got six orchestral shows in November. How do you think an orchestra will combine with your electronic sound?

I think it’s going to be amazing actually. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years but the music I've been making with the last few albums lends itself to it extremely well. It’s become very filmic, very epic. We’ve added an extra show in London at the Shepherds Bush Empire as well as the Royal Albert Hall show sold out so quickly. I’m very excited about those shows. I’ve already heard some orchestrated things and it’s incredible, I have no worries about the mixing of orchestra and electronic, they work very well together.

What's it like living in Trump's America? Has this had any influence on your song writing?

Luckily I live in California so the day to day effect is only slight. Can’t help but worry about the damage he’s doing though, both inside the US and elsewhere around the world. It did have an effect on my songwriting strangely enough. When I started to write the Savage album the idea of writing about a world decimated by Global Warming wasn’t part of the plan. Initially I borrowed a couple of ideas from my book notes (the novel about the future world) just to get going, to get a song or two underway. That was when, the same week I think, Trump said he thought it was all a hoax and that he would pull the US out of the Paris Accord. I was horrified by that and so continued to write songs based on the Global Warming ideas that form the story in the novel. Without Trump’s ignorance and stupidity I doubt that would have happened.

Recently more and more artists have spoken out about mental health. In what way do you think music plays a role in mental health? Is it an outlet to express these feelings?

It is for me. My previous album was called ‘Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)’ and was entirely devoted to writing about my own battle with depression. I talked extensively about it when the album was released because I thought it was important that men stop bending to the outdated idea that they shouldn’t talk about such things. I was diagnosed with depression around 2008 and it took me about three years, maybe four, to really come out the other end. I have always had a difficult time with that side of me, always. The depression period was the most difficult by far but I’ve leant that way my entire life. Writing has always been a vital outlet. I have a need to get those feelings out. When you write about something you think about it very deeply, you write something, think again, correct it, until the words say exactly what you need them to say. That process, that release, rethink, release, I believe has played a huge role in keeping me together over the years. I also have Aspergers so I have my share of things to deal with. Writing has given me a vehicle that helps me to deal with all of it, in a very constructive and creative way.

You took part in the documentary 27 gone too soon, musicians and mental health? What are your thoughts on musicians struggling with mental health problems and do you think there needs to be more of a support system in place for people in the music industry to be able to turn to?

In my experience there was plenty of support out there once I’d accepted I had a problem. In fact, I was sent to a child Psychiatrist when I was 14 so I can’t complain about that at all. I think the real problem is making it acceptable for people to talk openly about these things without being ridiculed by others or worry about losing their job, or made to feel pathetic or inferior. So many people seem to think that talking about mental health is unmanly, or weak, and yet those same people will stay at home with a cold or let everyone know they have a mild headache. So many types of mental illness are so easily fixed, if you only ask for help. It’s a tragedy that people suffer unnecessarily, often with fatal consequences.

You’ve spoken about what it’s like to have Asperger’s. How does this play into your music. Do you channel it within your ideas and writing?

I wouldn’t change things for the world. I have always seen it as an advantage. Aspergers gives me things that non Aspergers people don’t have, and they are very useful, especially if you want a career like mine. It is no secret that the music business can do great damage to people who are not mentally resilient and highly focused. Aspergers helps me to see the world differently, and it gives me the strengths I need to fight my way through in what can be an incredibly hostile and demoralising business. It definitely shows in the writing, but moreso in the way I think across the board.

You’ve had a passion for planes and boats. Are there any new passions you're pursuing?

Family. I have a wife Gemma and three children now, all girls, 14, 12 and 11. They are everything to me and I don’t want to do anything that takes me away from them, while they’re still young enough to want to be with me of course (the children, not Gemma). I have to tour, and I do love touring, and I take them with me whenever I can, but the children have school so it’s difficult. That bothers me a lot if I’m honest.

Your daughters have appeared in your music video and Persia has contributed vocals. Are any of them showing an interest in music and if so, is this something you plan on helping them pursue?

They are all very interested in music, in getting involved in the future. It’s something I would love to see happen and I would absolutely help them in any way I could. Having Persia sing on the album and appear in the videos and on stage has been such an amazingly cool thing for me. I've loved every minute of that. I’m fascinated to see where all three of them go with their musical interest.

You made a cameo in the TV series The Mighty Boosh. What made you do it and are there any other TV shows or films you’d love to make an appearance in?

I loved the Mighty Boosh so that was an easy decision. Apart from that though I don’t have any secret ambition to become an actor or get involved in that side of things. I’m too shy strangely enough. It’s a very different type of performing to singing and one that I don’t think I’d be any good at.

What's next for you after the tour?

This next batch of touring will run until mid December so I’ll need to take stock at that point and decide what to do next. Most likely I’ll just get stuck in to the next album. I still don’t know what direction that’s going to take but I’d like to start writing it and see what happens. Then of course I still have that novel to finish. I have thought about going out on tour but not playing music, just talking. I’ve done a number of Q and A sessions over the last few years in front of an audience and I’ve become more comfortable with that so I’m toying with the idea of touring that, just talking about my life and career. Next year is also the 40th anniversary of my initial success with two Number 1 albums in ‘79 so I imagine I’ll set up an anniversary tour or something like that while I'm working on the new songs.

Tickets for Gary Numan are priced at £37, £31.50 concessions which both includes a £2 booking fee. For more information or for tickets, call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244, or visit the website anvilarts.org.uk.