Interview
Interview
Stuck In A Lift With… Matt Goss
We grill the musician on his proudest moment, his exercise playlist and stealing from hotels. What else are you going to do if you're stuck in a lift?
Following the release of his fifth studio album, Matt Goss is more ready than ever to get back on stage. His upcoming show at the London Palladium will be his first big performance on home soil in years, a chance to share tracks from The Beautiful Unknown for the first time, but also to play all the hits for fans.
“Honestly, I’m not just saying it for the sake of saying it,” he assures, “I think it’s going to be the best show of my life. I think there’s so much energy in me… I just want it to be a big celebration and a good night out. I need it. I think we all need it. And if anyone’s seen me do what I do, I love elevating and transporting an audience.”
His new album encapsulates that enthusiasm for what he does, big emotions wrapped up in joyful production, or as Goss puts it, “a really heavy record inside a beautiful pop record”.
“There’s a hopefulness of everything,” he says of the album, “And I think the horizon is basically hope. We all need that.”
Ahead of his London Palladium show on Saturday 23 April, we got Stuck In A Lift with Matt Goss to ask him some pressing questions…
Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
I think, probably Raquel Welch in the 70s. You know, when she’s wearing that cavewoman outfit?
Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?
Somebody who was having halitosis or really bad gas problems.
What was the first single you ever bought?
First single ever bought I know was ‘Low Rider’ by War. Yeah, it’s as soon as that cowbell hits at the front end… it’s just such a brilliant summer tune.
If you had a time machine, where would you go?
I think I would probably go to the 1960s. Actually late 50s, early 60s. So I could hang out with the Rat Pack and Elvis. And then also in the 60s, I could also buy up all of my favourite watches and cars for cheap and re-sell them now.
What was the last thing that made you cry?
I think the thing that continuously makes me cry is the loss of my mother. It’s strange when you have really beautiful moments, like even coming in today and seeing the ‘Welcome Matt Goss’ sign, somebody’s taking the time to do that. Even if it’s ten minutes, somebody’s taking the time to do that. And to take a picture of that, and then share that with my mum… She’s my best friend. She was my home. And so I think that’s something that I cry about. Not just when I need a conversation, but when I want to share something really, really good. That phone call isn’t available to me anymore. She left me way too soon. I’m a relatively young man and she’s not here. That still brings me to my knees from time to time.
What movie would you like to re-watch for the first time?
I’m a typical dude when it comes to this. I think The Godfather I and II. I just love those movies.
What’s on your exercise playlist?
Because I’m a musician, that’s my time to get away from music so my playlist is the wind. I like to hear the wind when I run. I will say when I box it’s James Brown’s Greatest Hits.
Have you ever stolen anything from a hotel?
I’ve stolen many things from hotels. I just feel like, you know, I don’t know if you’re stealing from a hotel because once you get the bill you usually kind of feel like you paid for it! I just looked at it like I’m borrowing it for a while. In restaurants that have good cutlery, I might take a spoon… I don’t know, maybe it’s the Southeast Londoner in me – my Artful Dodger side.
What’s one accomplishment that you wish was yours?
Something to do with the Royals I think. You know, I take great pride in representing Britain abroad. So I think something with the Royals, you know, something with a medal, just because I’m such a royalist, and I’m such a proud Brit.
What’s been your proudest moment?
My proudest moment as a musician is to be able to get to Wembley Stadium. There’s certainly 7,000 people there. You know, I remember walking into that venue thinking there’s no way on Earth we’re filling this. And then we filled it. And it’s still, I think my proudest moment. One of my proudest moments is – and I’m not just saying this – playing the Palladium, straight after a pandemic, with my favorite people.
What’s the last gig you went to?
That’s a very tough question. It was probably Coldplay in Vegas. I had a really, really nice time at their live show, I loved it.
What animal scares you the most?
Scorpions. And also scorpios!
What’s the last song you had stuck in your head?
It’s actually a song I’m going in to record on Friday and Saturday. I’ve written a new song, it’s an absolute smash. I don’t know what it’s going to be called yet, but I’m going to record it. I just can’t get this song out my head.
Which famous brothers would you most like to have a drink with?
The Gallagher brothers because I think we’ve got a lot in common. We could talk about pushing each other’s buttons the wrong way, and I understand what it’s like when you grow up together. And instead of going your own ways and finding your identity, then you’re in a band together, and then you just end up needing some space. I get it, but that shouldn’t be the reason you stay estranged. And I feel like if we could all get into a room we would all either end up in a big fight or we’d all end up family.
Matt Goss will be live in concert at the London Palladium on Saturday 23 April. Tickets are available here.
