My Kind of Holiday

Where did you spend your last holiday?

The Mentawai Islands in Indonesia. On a boat.

What was the best thing you did while there?

The best part was that I didn't drive a car or speak on a cellphone for two weeks. It was heaven. I was cut off from the real world and just surfed, ate, sang and drank beers with friends.

Your favourite city abroad and why?

Berlin. It is one of the most cosmopolitan, culturally stimulating and historically relevant cities in the world. And I find it to be a great source of inspiration for my music. It’s all a bit rough and intense and cool. It makes me try harder and dig deeper.

What must a first-time visitor see there?

If they are brave, they have to try Berghain. It's a massive club but it really is not for the faint-hearted.

What should they not bother with?

Currywurst. Apparently it is a cultural institution in Berlin but I thought it was utterly forgettable.

What was your worst holiday?

The grimmest holiday I ever had was in New York some time back, with my girlfriend of the time. The relationship was breaking apart mid-holiday. It’s rather strange to feel alone in a city of 8-million people.

The worst hotel you’ve stayed in?

A certain lodge in Johannesburg — a flea-infested rat-hole, where the friendliest face was a ceramic green cat.

Who would be your fantasy holiday companion and why?

Nick Cave. He's travelled extensively and is such a great songwriter that I’m pretty certain I would be able to sponge some ideas off him while having the best conversations of my life.

One place you want to see before you die?

I would love to go to Antarctica before it melts. Or even while it's melting, so I could record the cracking sound as glaciers rupture and slide into the sea. I’d take no joy from it, but it would be an extraordinary experience.

Have you had any embarrassing moments as a traveller?

In San Sebastián, Spain, I went to the beach and swam in a nasty Speedo (don't ask). While I was lolling around in the water, my daypack was stolen. I had to walk back across town in my Speedo.