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Blur star Damon Albarn says getting Icelandic citizenship was 'deep'

Damon Albarn performing on the second day of the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk. Picture date: Saturday July 24, 2021. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics
Damon Albarn is now a citizen of Iceland. (Matt Crossick/Empics)

Damon Albarn said he always had a sense he “wasn’t just English” as he revealed he has become an Icelandic citizen.

The Blur star, whose mum’s family are originally from Denmark, was awarded his new citizenship last year and said it was “deep”.

Speaking on Apple Music 1, he said: “It’s a deep one because my mum’s family is originally from Denmark, so I’ve always had a sense that I wasn’t just English.

Read more: Sir Elton John on why Damon Albarn is the ‘most interesting British musician’

“When I went to Iceland, the first time, it was as a result of a recurring childhood dream of levitating over black sand, but they had no geography to it.

“Obviously it could have been New Zealand and we’d be having an entirely different conversation now, but I’m glad that it was Iceland that I identified with.”

Albarn, 53, also gave host Zane Lowe an update on the Gorillaz film and revealed that he has been having writing sessions with Netflix in Malibu.

There has long been talk of a film about the virtual band - which Albarn formed with artist Jamie Hewlett more than 20 years ago - and the star has said things are moving forwards.

“It’s really exciting to do that,” said Albarn.

“It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a very long time. It’s been through so many incarnations. Gorillaz doing a movie. Honestly."

The Gorillaz perform on stage at the Brit Awards 2006, at Earls Court, west London, Wednesday 15 February 2006. See PA Story SHOWBIZ Brits. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA
The star formed Gorillaz with Jamie Hewlett. (PA)

“But Netflix, I don’t know," he went on.

"Apart from them kind of running this city now, I mean – it’s just extraordinary to see how ubiquitous they are now.

Read more: Gorillaz return to the stage to play free gig for NHS workers

“They just seem like they’re a good creative team, you know?

“But I can’t say anything more about it, obviously.”

The full interview is available on demand on Apple Music.

Additional reporting from PA.

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