Interview - Gruff Rhys

Despite over 40 years of experience in the music game, Gruff Rhys’ prolificity remains undiminished. Released last week, Sadness Sets Me Free is the Welshman’s eighth solo album and the twenty fifth album on which he is listed as a contributor.

Much has been of the achievement, but when speaking with Clash, Rhys admits that such details mean little to him: “(The number of albums) didn’t occur to me at all. I was sure I’d done more than 20 but I didn’t know the number. I don’t claim them all as my own. They are the works of bands and a lot of collaboration, but I’ve had a part in all those records.”

“I feel incredibly lucky to be allowed to make records and I really appreciate every moment of getting to document music. But when it comes to recording an album, I’m still learning and I feel I’m on a journey to somewhere to try and find a unique place. Ultimately, I’m happy to release the residue until then!”

His latest album is the latest step in a storied career that has taken in bands, soundtracks, and, as stated, collaborations spanning multiple genres (often on the same song). Yet Sadness Sets Me Free is arguably his most unified collection, which Rhys acknowledges took a concerted effort to achieve. “I’m trying to make coherent albums because I’m a bit of a magpie, musically,” he admits. “I tend to get drawn into different production styles, sometimes on the same records, so I’m trying to keep that in check and make coherent albums from start to finish.”

https://www.clashmusic.com/features/im-still-learning-gruff-rhys-interviewed/