logo
Gavin Rossdale on the new Bush album, cooking, and staying away from social media

Gavin Rossdale on the new Bush album, cooking, and staying away from social media

Global News6 days ago
This past Friday, July 18, Gavin Rossdale and Bush released the group's 10th album, I Beat Loneliness.
I connected with Gavin at his home in Los Angeles.
Alan Cross: The new Bush album is entitled I Beat Loneliness. You look at that on the surface, and it seems like the most autobiographical title of all time, is it?
Gavin Rossdale: Yeah, I think so. I forced myself to ask what was important to me. It led me to re-evaluate myself, what I thought would be satisfying to investigate. I just went on deep dives, every song is a different experiment, sonically, musically. I still keep myself 25 per cent madly ignorant of music. I just hear things differently because I'm just feral like that. But a little bit of spill gives it the source, gives it the blood.
So yeah, this record is very autobiographical. What's wild is when you reach the inner caves of your sick mind, you start saying things that resonate with other people who have sick minds, which, by the way, is everyone.
Story continues below advertisement
Everyone, I believe, is dealing with their sort of madness. And it should be commended for finding a way through and being positive and returning the next day to continue where they left off the day before. I think that's why I'm writing records for regular people who bash through lives, good days, bad days, in different ways, and just bash on regardless.
I don't like this aspirational life. I hate social media; everyone's got a better life than I have. I hate that I look at it and I'm like, is my life good enough? And I'm like, your life is great. Stop looking at that BS.
AC: I have exactly the same problem. Yet I am completely compelled to go back to social media and doomscroll several times a day. It's not that I feel that my life is terrible. It's just that I think it's almost a desire to make my life worse by seeing exactly what's going on in the world.
GR: What feeds into your inner paranoia is not having your act together when it's impossible to have your act together completely, comprehensively, day in, day out. It is an unfair burden that we place on each other.
Comparison is a thief of joy. So, I say don't compare. My life is amazing, but all I've got to do is think of Coldplay, and I mess myself up for the whole day because I'll never have their life.
Story continues below advertisement
I think life is miserable enough without being miserable in it. Life is endlessly magical and endlessly infuriating. It's just a balance, and you find your way through it, I believe. It's really great to write a record that feels somewhat confessional, as to say, hey, this isn't easy, but it's so worth it. It's so worth it.
AC: Years ago, you told me that you start writing songs on a bass. Is that still the case?
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
GR: It can be. But with the advent of studios, I can also put some nice atmospheric keyboards. All these songs were different experiments in me and my studio, just seeing what could be interesting and what could be fun and how to entertain myself.
The last three records have all been super detuned. I was like, the old Bush is back, but no, it's actually completely different music. And I think that across this record (I Beat Loneliness) there's no wasted space.
Story continues below advertisement
AC: How was the Canadian tour?
GR: Incredible. I had to play Kelowna, Victoria…I have nothing to compare it to. The expanse of the land is just awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, amazing.
AC: The '90s seem to be the decade that is immortal when it comes to music. People just cannot get enough of music from the 1990s. What do you attribute that to? It's not just people who grew up at that time, but also Millennials and Gen Zs who are just discovering music today.
GR: The innocence, I suppose. The innocence of making music that was actually going to last through time. It was — as always, it had a sense of revolution to it. It was somewhat the music of complaints. Railing against authority, railing against people, standing up for your rights, the end of misogyny.
There was a time when I was really daunted. I never got Zeppelin. Musically, I love them, but the lyrics never got me. I was a young kid. They were the next generation. So I never related to them. So, I needed a role model, and the role models I had of the guitar music I liked, My Bloody Valentine, all a bit introverted and a bit shoegaze-y.
When I saw Jane's Addiction, when I saw Soul Asylum in London, all this energy on stage, I was like, wow! All the Britpop bands, all trying to outshine each other, but no one was giving the performances that I connected to. It was a new culture, and things needed to shift.
Story continues below advertisement
It was like a revolution. Everybody heard all the music. The songs were played on MTV, and they played on the radio. And then people went to see you live. These three powerful entities created these huge records. It was all about that community.
Today is pure pop. That's what is connecting with people in the masses. So, we — us '90s bands — went underground.
AC: Do you ever go back to listen to those earlier albums and pass judgment on them?
GR: Yes! There are times when I think that I went on a bit too long and could have done with a little editing. At the same time, nothing is ever perfect.
AC: I hate to bring it up, but you're going to be 60 in October. That's a lot of experience as a human, as an artist.
GR: It sure is. I have to confront this. Biology always wins in the end. But I think this is a very creative time. I'm in a hurry to express myself and deal with my chaos. Songwriting is like a root canal of my emotions.
AC: Let's talk about cooking and your show on Flavour network, Dinner with Gavin Rossdale. How did that come about?
GR: I always aspired to be on TV, but then I found it was hard to make TV. I thought about this cooking show before the advent of podcasts. I was tired of being a somewhat characterless musician beyond being in a band that was massive in the '90s. I was also tired of touring and wanted to stay home more with my kids.
AC: Having someone into your home and cooking them a meal is a very intimate sort of thing. People will tell you things during a meal that they won't tell you otherwise.
GR: I've always been attracted to food and cooking. Making a dish is very much in parallel to writing a song: tempo, spice level, the five flavours — the alchemy of it. I'm having a laugh and loving it.
AC: Do you have a signature dish?
GR: I don't. I've always tried to stay away from a signature dish, but I suppose my English roasts are pretty fun. I can make really good pasta. My feeling is, 'How can I treat you best?' I recently cooked some cauliflower in garlic-infused milk/cream, and then blitzed it, added salt and nutmeg, and it blew my mind. With a bay leaf in there, it's just nuts.
I've been obsessed with miso — a chicken jus with sake instead of wine.
Story continues below advertisement
AC: How about baking or pastries?
GR: I love it. Lots of little cakes and pastries. I can make the best cheese Danish, meringues, ice cream, crème brûlée.
AC: What's coming up for you?
GR: A North American tour, a European. And I have to start thinking about the next record. I have to ruminate on where I go from here.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
4:05
Gavin Rossdale trades his guitar for heartfelt conversations with celebs
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Celebration of Light's funding woes a sign of trouble for arts and culture sector
Celebration of Light's funding woes a sign of trouble for arts and culture sector

Global News

time4 hours ago

  • Global News

Celebration of Light's funding woes a sign of trouble for arts and culture sector

The organizers of Vancouver's marquee summer fireworks display say funding challenges could see the event fizzle in years to come. The Honda Celebration of Light is set to put on its final display of the summer on Saturday, but executive producer Paul Runnals said it's not clear if organizers will be able to bring the event back. 'We have had a reduction of government funding at both levels, both provincially and federally. We lost federal funding altogether this year, and our provincial funding has been cut by 65 per cent going into next year, so combined, those two equal a $650,000 swing in government support for the event,' Paul Runnals said. At the same time, Runnals argues the event draws hundreds of thousands of people to the region, contributing $4 million to economic activity every year. The Celebration of Light is not alone. Other major public events in B.C. are reporting similar conditions. Story continues below advertisement The Vancouver Pride Parade this year was forced to shorten its route as it grapples with funding challenges. 1:50 Preparing for the Celebration of Light fireworks show Organizers of the Mission Folk Festival say there is growing demand every year for a shrinking pool of grant and sponsorship dollars. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'For the first time this year, we were informed by a grantor that our application was excellent, that we absolutely met the criteria of the grant, but there simply was not enough funding to fund all of the eligible applications,' artistic director Michelle Demers Shaevitz told Global News. 'We are seeing across the country funding cuts, grant changes, orgs that have traditionally funded the kind of programming we do are either changing their focus or their funders are changing their focus, and it all trickles down.' Making matters worse, the arts and culture sector is dealing with surging costs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Story continues below advertisement Along with the inflationary pressures being felt by all businesses, they're also on the hook for growing security costs, particularly in the wake of the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival attack. 'We've seen cost escalations of 20 to 30 per cent coming out of COVID,' Runnals said. 'The reality is none of us have been able to make up that shortfall and these increased costs. We're not alone… I have talked to a number of other major events that are in the same boat as us, there is a real risk we are going to see multiple major events dropping off the calendar.' The federal government provides more than $300 million per year in arts and culture funding. Earlier this week, Ottawa announced $1.8 million in support for Montreal's Just for Laughs. The comedy festival went bankrupt last year, and has been mired in controversy over sexual assault allegations against its original founder. Some in B.C.'s festival world feel like the money isn't being doled out equally. 'The west does not get the same level of attention, in particular British Columbia,' Runnals said. 0:56 Crowds entertained by Snowbirds at Saturday's Celebration of Lights '(The Calgary) Stampede has definitely received quite a bit of money over the years, and obviously, back east there is quite a bit going around, but we seem to really struggle out here.' Story continues below advertisement Ottawa did provide $250,000 to the Festival of Lights for its 2024 season, and Runnals is hopeful the event will land back on Ottawa's radar. In the meantime, he said the hunt for sponsors and grant money comes at the cost of time that could be spent improving the event itself. In the meantime, he has a message for those holding the purse strings. 'I feel very strongly about the value these events, not just ours, any of these major events bring in terms of community and giving people things to look forward to … 98 per cent of the people who attend that event attend it for free,' Runnals said. 'We're not out there making millions of dollars, we are out there delivering an incredible experience to millions of people and generating a ton of jobs, a ton of economic impact and providing that sense of community … it boggles my mind some days we have to fight so hard to get the attention and support that we need.'

HR exec Kristin Cabot resigns after getting caught on Coldplay kiss cam with then-CEO Andy Byron
HR exec Kristin Cabot resigns after getting caught on Coldplay kiss cam with then-CEO Andy Byron

The Province

time4 hours ago

  • The Province

HR exec Kristin Cabot resigns after getting caught on Coldplay kiss cam with then-CEO Andy Byron

Her departure follows the resignation of Byron, who quit after the company said he was being put on leave pending an investigation Published Jul 25, 2025 • 2 minute read After footage of a couple hiding from the camera at a Coldplay concert was posted online, amateur sleuths identified the couple as Andy Byron, CEO of software company Astronomer, and Kristin Cabot, the company's head of HR. Photo by instaagraace / TikTok The female executive who was caught on camera embracing the CEO of her company at a Coldplay concert in a moment that went viral has resigned, according to news reports. Multiple news outlets reported that Kristin Cabot, the executive in charge of human resources at tech company Astronomer, has resigned. Her departure follows the resignation of CEO Andy Byron, who quit after the company said he was being put on leave pending an investigation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met. Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and… — Astronomer (@astronomerio) July 19, 2025 The episode resulted in endless memes, parody videos and screenshots of the pair's shocked faces filling social media feeds Cabot and Byron were caught by surprise when singer Chris Martin asked the cameras to scan the crowd for his 'Jumbotron Song' during the concert last week at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. They were shown cuddling and smiling, but when they saw themselves on the big screen, Cabot's jaw dropped, her hands flew to her face and she spun away from the camera while Byron ducked out of the frame. 'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy,' Martin joked in video that spread quickly around the internet. When the video first spread online it wasn't immediately clear who they were, but online sleuths rapidly figured out their identities. The company has previously confirmed the identities of the couple in a statement to the AP. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Both of their profiles have been now removed from Astronomer's website and a November press release announcing her hiring has also been deleted. Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the band's Music Of The Spheres World Tour at D. Y. Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Photo by Rajanish Kakade / AP Astronomer was a previously obscure tech company based in New York. It provides big companies with a platform that helps them organize their data. Online streams of Coldplay's songs jumped 20% in the days after the video went viral, according to Luminate, an industry data and analytics company. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.

CNE launches contest for couples to say ‘I Do' on the Midway
CNE launches contest for couples to say ‘I Do' on the Midway

Global News

time12 hours ago

  • Global News

CNE launches contest for couples to say ‘I Do' on the Midway

As the end of summer approaches, the Canadian National Exhibition is gearing up to open its gates, and this year, it's inviting one lucky couple to tie the knot in the middle of the Midway. The CNE has launched a new contest called 'Marriage on the Midway,' offering a symbolic wedding celebration under the Fair's iconic SuperWheel. The event, scheduled for Aug. 23, will give one couple a chance to exchange vows surrounded by carnival rides, cotton candy, and reserved seating to watch 98 Degrees in concert. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to organizers, they are looking for couples who are Ontario residents aged 18 and up who share a special connection to the CNE, whether it's a first date, a long-time tradition, or love for the fair. Submissions are open until Aug. 8 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with the winning pair set to be announced by Aug. 15. Story continues below advertisement The prize package will include a custom wedding cake designed by a local bakery, unlimited ride passes for up to 20 guests, $500 in food vouchers, and VIP seating at the CNE Bandshell to watch 98 Degrees perform their wedding ballad 'I Do (Cherish You)' live. Although the wedding ceremony won't be legally binding, the event is a symbolic moment meant for couples 'to celebrate their commitment to each other in an unforgettable way,' according to the CNE website. The upcoming 2025 CNE season will run from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1. Wedding or not, expect all the usual summer spectacle, from the iconic air show, pickle-flavored food and amusement-style rides.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store