The Streetsβ Mike Skinner: βMy mid-20s were utterly traumatic. Everything was upside downβ
As he plays Glastonbury and prepares a Fabric mix, Skinner answers your questions on his film debut, dinners with Chris Martin and the secret to true happiness
Why havenβt you gone on tour and performed A Grand Donβt Come for Free to celebrate its 20-year anniversary? Turangaleela2
I donβt tend to look back. Iβve only ever really done what was in front of me at the time. Itβs great to sing the old stuff, but as a musician your old songs pay for you to write new ones, even if no one wants them. I know people like Liam [Gallagher] and Dizzee [Rascal] have done the anniversary thing, but I donβt really need the money and I think for your own sanity you have to at least pretend that youβre doing things that are important right now.
I read in your memoir, The Story of the Streets, that you read books by Hollywood screenwriters while you were writing A Grand Donβt Come for Free. Did they come in handy for your film debut [The Darker the Shadow, the Brighter the Light]? JJethwa
I actually went to see [the screenwriting consultant] Robert McKee, whoβs Hollywood in every way β a sort of very aggressive, no-nonsense American. Thereβs a hell of a lot to take in, but ultimately it comes down to the basics: show, donβt tell; start with an idea and finish with the same one; have the characters act out your ideas in a very physical way.
Β© Photograph: Ben Cannon
Β© Photograph: Ben Cannon