How To Academy Podcast Caitlin Moran Meets Alex James - Cocaine, Crash Diets and the Return of Blur (Summer Repeat)
Aug 26, 2025
In this fascinating conversation, Alex James, bassist of Blur and a cheesemaker, shares his journey from rock star to farmer. He recounts the unexpected reunion of Blur for a historic Wembley performance, navigating the challenges of reuniting after years apart. Alex humorously details his crash diet to fit into his 'Britpop Trousers' and engaging anecdotes from touring across the globe. He reflects on family life amidst the music chaos and the joys of creativity, highlighting the profound connection between his musical legacy and personal growth.
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Buying The Farm Changed Everything
- Alex and Claire bought a derelict Cotswolds farm on their honeymoon and poured decades of effort into restoring it.
- Twenty years later the farm became a thriving food and events business that anchors his life.
Britpop Trousers Motivated A Crash Diet
- Alex describes comedic excess before the reunion and the emergency of fitting into his 'Britpop trousers.'
- He trained hard and eventually managed to zip them up on the Wembley weekend morning.
Lose Weight With Simple Consistency
- Do the simple, painful work: exercise more and eat less to get back in shape.
- Use consistent, measurable efforts (e.g., gym twice daily) to guarantee results.
