Tender (A britpop era fiction)

Soundtrack Of My Life - Damon Albarn & Claire Gallagher

Here it is, the 20k chapter. Took me a while to research music influences and preferences of Damon Albarn less obvious or well-known than his love and inspiration from the Kinks and Smiths. But I think I did a decent job. And have about 100 songs more on my playlist to listen through now. Claire's not gonna be much surprising, her taste is basically the same as her brothers so I tried to built a few new stories in, why she loves certain songs and bands. 

It's a few little clues which chapter titles you can expect in the next few (or more honestly few hundred) chapters. Each of those will hold a special meaning since the songs themselves hold a special meaning for the two of them. Or at least so I plan to do it. 

I wanted to take the time and thank you yet again for the love and support you show for this story. It may get a bit old at this point since I seem to thank you every few chapter by now, but that's what I'm trying to say: I would've never thought this story would take off like this. I love to read your comments and speculations and see some of you being so invested. It's a great comfort and an even greater joy and before this gets too long again THANK YOU!

That'll do.

I'm quite excited what you'll think about the way this chapter is written. I built in a few clues for the story ahead & I tried to describe the recording of an interview but it's definitely upgradable.

As always, lots of love and stay safe and sound,

Sally, x.

(Btw my apologies for the poorly edited chapter picture. It's supposed to show 1995s Claire and Damon. I suck at editing pictures but I try to learn.) 

Autumn 2013, London

The staff of Reckless Records had a lot of musicians to attend their Youtube series Soundtrack of my life since they started with this idea. Their shop was right in Soho, between some of the best-known recording studios in London and since they'd started this interviews the shop had more visitors than ever. They'd already had people like Debbie Harry, Paul Weller, Ringo Starr and many newcomer bands and over the course of the last two years they had gained a decent following on the platform.

The cameras are set up, pointing to the bench in front of the shop were the interviews were usually recorded in spring- and summertime. It's mid-September already but too warm to shoot inside so Damon Albarn and Claire Gallagher sit outside, chatting with the staff while they get everything ready to record. He's wearing a striped shirt underneath his beige parka and a brown flat cap fitting the golden frame of his red- coloured sunglasses. She on the other hand wears a black turtleneck under a navy blue trench coat and black jeans, fitting the black sunglasses she wears on her nose. Before the interview starts she puts them to the side. Both of them hold a cup of coffee in their hands. 

"It's been a hectic week" Claire mumbles apologizing. "I hope you forgive us for drinking this while we're talking." She holds up her coffee. "We have to go back straight after."

"No problem" is to be heard from the background. Then they turn on the camera and Damon and Claire smile into the black lens and say the words the interviewer asked them to say.

"Hello, my name's Damon Albarn."

"And I'm Claire Gallagher. We're here today at Reckless Records in Soho."

"And we're going to tell you about the soundtrack of our life" Damon says.

They grin at each other. Damon puts the pair of sunglasses into his pocket and takes a sip of coffee, while they wait for the first question to be asked.