George Alan O'Dowd is the lead singer of the Grammy and Brit Award. He has 30 years of singer’s career and stage experience, where became known for his soulful voice and androgynous appearance.

Journalist: George…where in the world are you today?

George: Hi! I’m on the train to Scotland with ‘Culture Club’. 

Journalist: These questions are flying over to you the day before your historic Culture Club performance at Edinburgh Castle tomorrow night – your first UK show with the gang in over a decade no less. How are you feeling about it all?

George: Culture Club was a room in my house that was unloved and needed a good clean up. That's the best metaphor I can think of to explain why I have decided to work with the band again. Plus Culture Club is an important part of my brand and an important piece of the overall jigsaw of my life!

Journalist: Culture Club were the first group since The Beatles to have three songs from their debut album become Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.  What are your hopes/aims/targets to achieve this time around? Refrain from killing each other?

George: I wanted to make a good record. The one we forget to make first time around. I think we have. This album will hopefully be called 'Tribes' and it just feels like us but looser and quite groovy. The starting point with any band has to be the music.

Journalist: A great post from your on Facebook this week…” I'm aiming to be the only queen in the DJ Mag Top 100 this year, although I'm sure there are a few in the closet.” Chuckles aside, how important is this annual poll to you?

George: Will I live or die by my position? Of course not but it's fun to be involved and it shows people you care. It's also another way of engaging with people. The competition is quite fierce and there are tons of DJs I've never heard of with zillions of followers. So, get your mum and your aunt to vote for me!

Journalist: Another interesting thing you shared with us this week…”I’m of the opinion that as a DJ you must always play what you love and ignore what’s ‘trendy’ because true passion always eclipses what’s fashionable. Quality is always fashionable.” Love that! Who are some of the DJs on the circuit you love shimmying to these days?

George: DJs I'm not sure about - but I love producers like Doorly. I like what Disclosure are doing - for me they bridge perfectly that space between dance and pop music. Still bigging up The Hoxton Whores'. Yeah, DJs need music to play not other DJs! Lol!

Journalist: Sinead O’Connor and your ‘dub project’. What can you tell us about all of this?

George: I have re-recorded my last album which is tentatively called 'This Is What I Dub’.  Sinead sings of 'Death Of Dub' which is a Yoko Ono song. There are three new songs and a few surprise guests like George Clinton.

Journalist: You were on the island of Ibiza again this week, playing at Café Olé at Space. How did it go…?

George: The DJs before were hammering it and for a minute I was going to leave because I thought how can I play after this? I just stuck to my guns and brought it down and the crowd went with me. It was a satisfying gig.

Journalist: Where are some of the places you like to chill/eat and relax on the white isle?

 

George: Anywhere where there are no people. Deserted beaches!

Journalist: It was your birthday last month. How did you celebrate?

George: I was in Toronto performing with Rufus Wainwright and Josh Groban which was pretty amazing. 53, no big deal!

Journalist: It is fascinating how some artists discover inspiration for their songs. You tried to get your head around Marcus Chown’s ‘Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You’ book – you admit you didn’t really understand it but you left the pages with some really great lyrics. Please indulge us with some of them…

George: Just like an atom, it's here and it's there, better run for cover when love is In the air!

Journalist: What is the greatest song you have ever written?

George: ’Bow Down Mister’ because it praises Krishna and makes everyone happy. Also, ‘Generations of Love’ and a new Culture Club ballad called. 'Oil & Water’.

Journalist: Do you ever get writers block?

George: Yeah and sometimes I can't get an erection! But hardly ever! Lol!

Journalist: A cool quote from you…“Love is omnipresent – I am a hippy at the end of the day!” Which brings us nicely to festival season and your appearance at Camp Bestival – many people’s favourite weekend of the year. What are you looking forward to the most about this glorious British tradition?

George: You always want to engage with people and surprise them. Most people still think of me as a novelty DJ even though I've been at it for ever! I like to surprise people! I have been clubbing for years so my scope of music is wide and varied! I can think on my feet. If I have to do a fashion party or a corporate event I can adapt because I can play for a mixed crowd.

Journalist: What has been your best ever festival?

George: I did Glastonbury a couple of years ago. They booked me for the first day so I had a captive audience of about 30,000. ‘Karma Chameleon’ was like a punk anthem. It was awesome!

Journalist: Gotta ask dude – will you be staying in a tent??!?!

George: No!

Journalist: You will be spinning alongside your great friend, business partner and godfather to his child…Mr Marc Vedo. What are some of the things you have learnt from this Portuguese pin up over the years?

George: I hate him this week because he left me in a house in Ibiza with no food or transport. He's a selfish posh boy!

Journalist: When was the last time you two had a big row, and what was it over?

George: You can't argue with Marc because he's so Zen and reasonable!

Journalist: What are the big 3 tunes you are currently hammering?

Doorly – ‘Ladies Night’

Claude Von Stroke – ‘The Clapping Song’

Retrophobia – ‘Ain't No Booty’

Journalist: And finally, a hilarious message sent to you from one of your fans this week…” Can't wait to come and see you, My 7 year old daughter Laurel has converted from 1D to Culture Club! You must get some crazy letters??

George: Someone wrote to me recently asking me to send them money but it was so matter of fact that I cracked up! Of course I sent them a million pounds. Lol!

Boy George will be appearing at Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle on Dorset's dramatic Jurassic coastline July 31st - August 3rd alongside a host of fabulous artists including De La Soul, Basement Jaxx, James, Johnny Marr, Laura Mvula, DJ Yoda and your host Rob Da Bank. Fun for all the family!! More Info at http://www.campbestival.net/

You can also visit Boy George on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boygeorgeofficial

 

Interview materials: http://www.dmcworld.net/