When I remark that some others in their fortunate position would have
scrambled up the social ladder with undue haste and no backward glance, he
chuckles ruefully. “I’m hopeless. I’ve just completely ignored whatever
approaches have come our way, to the extent that people must think I’m an
inverted snob. For instance, just as life was being turned on its head, I
got an invitation to Elton’s summer bash – a most treasured thing in
entertainment circles, I’m reliably informed. Now, it’d be a laugh. It’d be
fun. But back then I found the whole idea just too freaky. I was far too
nervous and self-conscious so didn’t go and, of course, you don’t get a
second chance. So Olivia will occasionally have a go at me, quite rightly:
‘Can’t we do something glamorous once in while, you miserable git?’”
Meanwhile, and following the release of two further well-received,
high-selling albums (2002’s A New Day at Midnight and 2005’s Life
in Slow Motion), the Grays have been debating an issue familiar to many
other left-ish/liberal parents of young children – a state versus a private
education. They’ve opted for the latter for Ivy, with all the usual
reservations and self-questioning. But while most in their position will
tell of how competitive it is to win a place for their child at any of their
preferred schools, it seems the stakes are higher still when a prospective
pupil has a famous father. “One head who auditioned us was stressing the
importance of fundraising and asked if I’d help with items for auction.
‘Imagine what something signed by Madonna would fetch for us,’ she said.
Needless to say, her establishment didn’t make the top of our list.” Rather
than some hothouse for would-be young achievers, they have opted for a
relaxed, creative environment in which their daughter can grow comfortably
and at her own pace. The same approach holds for life out of school, with
Gray hoping to give his girls a taste of the carefree, outdoors upbringing
he so enjoyed when, at the age of nine, he moved with his parents and two
younger sisters from Sale, Cheshire, to coastal Pembrokeshire. Hence Norfolk
and the deserted beach we have now arrived at.
“We’ve spent a lot of time up here over the past couple of years and it’s been
really good for all of us. I’m no city boy. I love nature. I love being out
in the wild winds.” Of which there is no shortage today. But whereas those
few other brave souls we encounter on our walk across the dunes to a lonely
and magnificent expanse of sand are wrapped up snugly against the cold, Gray
is braving the elements in a three-piece suit by the newly rebranded Daks,
matched with impeccable Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. “We’re about to do a
photo shoot,” he explains cheerfully to a bemused Norfolk Wildlife Trust
staffer, one who has clearly never seen him nor anyone else so improbably
dressed on a nature reserve. The sheepskin of old would have been the warmer
choice, but it’s clear he is relishing cutting such a dash.
This smarter, sleeker look is directly linked to his new sense of wellbeing
and ease within his own skin, it emerges. And if this and the recovery of
his smile can be traced back to anyone and anything, it is Robbie Williams
and his invitation to have a bit of a kick-about for charity last May. A
Unicef UK ambassador, Williams conceived the idea of an all-star soccer
tournament between an English team (captained by himself and including as
players Paul Gascoigne, Tony Adams, Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Theakston) and
the Rest of the World (captained by Gordon Ramsay and including David
Ginola, Peter Schmeichel, Gianfranco Zola and Alastair Campbell) and invited
Gray to be one of his 11 men. For a Manchester United fan, just the
opportunity to play at Old Trafford was irresistible.
“That said, I was very apprehensive as there was a reality show element to the
TV coverage [the event raised more than £2 million to help children in South
Africa suffering with HIV and Aids]. But really it was my ultimate fantasy
and I cannot thank Robbie enough for making it come true for me. He was a
total gent throughout, while all the actual footballers were so
fantastically, touchingly sweet to the rest of us. To spend time with Gazza,
who’s such a compulsive giver, or Tony Adams, who’s my embodiment of an
old-style footballer and a bit of hero to me, was amazing in itself. But
more than that, the whole experience literally kicked me out of myself. It
was a turning point, like hearing the words, ‘Come on in. The water’s
lovely. Nobody bites. Really, everything’s OK…’”
And in the aftermath he has kept match-fit, hence his enjoyment of the new
wardrobe that stylist Tom Stubbs steered him towards at the more fashionable
end of Savile Row.
Photographic shoot over, white-knuckled with cold, Gray invites us all back to
his just-off-the-beach house for tea. Compact, architect-designed, the
perfect modernist retreat, its simple living space is lifted by a beautiful
landscape in oils, a diptych within a single frame. He has great taste, I
think, having been similarly struck by pictures hanging in the room in which
I’d waited on arrival at his home in Hampstead, prior to our drive
north-east.
The artist of all three would appear to be the same and is…? “Me,” he says,
busily balling newspaper, crisscrossing sticks of firewood and reaching for
logs. “They’re 20 years old now and from my degree show [under pressure from
his mum and despite a rapidly growing passion for music, he knuckled down to
graduate from Liverpool College of Art].”
He is critical of the work I admire, saying if ever he picks up his brushes
again he must apply the same draughtsmanship and understatement that informs
his songwriting. But for now family life (Olivia and the girls will be
arriving at any time) and this other career are enough. An imminent Greatest
Hits encompasses the latter’s achievements, but it is to the future that
he’s looking, seemingly comfortable with himself and his situation at last.
Well-timed, this, given that he will be 40 next year. “I’m energised and
enjoying my life,” he reminds me, “so the passing of another year is no big
deal.” Any last message to his public, then? “Only to remind them of the
success of my blackberry jam. At this rate, I might even be able to sell it
on the merchandise stall when I go out on the road.”
A new David Gray single, You’re the World to Me, is released
on November 5, followed by his Greatest Hits on November 12. His tour
begins at the Newcastle Academy on November 6. The Times Sounds Podcast:
David Gray speaks to The Times chief rock critic Pete Paphides about the
virtues of Page 3, ponders the secret of the perfect hit single and
confesses to his one pop star luxury: a personal football trainer
(timesonline.co.uk/music)
