New York Times Interview with Noodle, June 2001

This interview was originally transcribed on the old official Gorillaz fansite. I have pasted it here for preservation.

When, if ever, do you remove your hat? When did you last see your ears?

(Her interpreter Alan translates Noodle’s words into English.)

I take it off all of the time but I have twenty three of them that I wear in rotation. If I didn’t take them off my hair would smell!

What's playing on your headphones?

Cornelius, they’re very big in Japan and very loud in my headphones.

Describe the scene in the Gorillaz' studio:

It’s always very messy because the others are boys! I wouldn’t usually put up with it but Russel is so nice and 2D smells like Butterscotch flavoured Angel delight and I love them.

Favourite stuff you do in your spare time:

I like to spend time down loading MP3’s for my head phones, watering my Bonsai trees, practising karate and learning how to mix and scratch with Russel.

What/who makes you want to use your martial arts?

When I see Jet Li films it makes me want to practice very hard so does Hong Kong Phooey because he’s the number one super guy. Also the Beastie Boys "Sabotage" puts me in the right frame of mind.

You're the youngest in the band. Do the boys let you stay up late or do they treat you like a baby?

I can stay up late if I want to but it makes me tired and moody, like Murdoc.

When did you start playing the guitar?

I was sent to a Zen guitar monastery at the age of three, this is a long tradition in my family, my great great great great grandfather discovered the missing chord.

Were you at all nervous about taking some of the vocals on the new single?

I would be nervous if I had to sing by myself but I always sing with 2D and that is just like playing with your best friend, so I forget to be nervous. I wouldn’t sing with Murdoc because he never brushes his teeth and makes the microphone all smelly!

Was it fate or luck that delivered your crate to the Gorillaz door? What were you doing in there anyway?

You make your own fate by creating good luck! I was posted to them.

Are the rumours true that Gorillaz may collaborate with Liam Gallagher? Is it just cos, in certain lights, he resembles a real gorilla?

It would be really nice if he did but I don’t think his brother will let him and he has to many babies to look after too! I bet he makes the mic smelly also!