Clare Grogan

ALTERED IMAGES’ PRESENT-GIVER

What music are you currently grooving to?

I’m gigging quite a lot so we have a dressing room mixtape we get into the groove with. Grace Jones, Grandmaster Flash, The Tom Tom Club, Kraftwerk, Self Esteem, Lizzo – Doris Day always gets her moment. What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album?

I consider running and music my go-to therapy. So you might spot me in the streets of north London bellowing to David Bowie’s Young Americans. I love the absolute epicness of the songs and the sentiment. What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it? I grew up in a household with three generations of music lovers, so there was always a fight to have your turn on the Dansette. When I finally joined in as the youngest it was with Rock On, a genius song by David Essex.

I bought it in Woolworths and I still have it and listen to it today.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? Well, when I started out I wanted to be Siouxsie Sioux or Debbie Harry. And I’d love to know what it would feel like to have been Prince. What do you sing in the shower? Donna Summer, it’s an amazing way to warm up. Steam and high notes. Occasionally, I can’t help but revisit school choir hymns – Ave Maria is worth knowing.

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

Empires And Dance, Simple Minds. I love my emotional connection with it. And your Sunday morning record? You can’t beat Billie Holiday to make you believe the world is a truly interesting place. God Bless The Child makes me weep every time.