Eric Cantona on new music, Liam Gallagher and Glastonbury

Éric Cantona has spoken to NME about his debut stay album, ‘Cantona Sings Eric’, working with Liam Gallagher and their subsequent friendship, in addition to his hopes to someday carry out at Glastonbury competition.

The soccer legend’s post-retirement profession has included forays into appearing, artwork, modelling and, most lately, music. ‘Cantona Sings Eric’, launched on March 29, adopted debut EP ‘I’ll Make My Personal Heaven’ – and was recorded throughout his first ever European tour on the finish of 2023. It included stay variations of ‘The Pals We Misplaced’, ‘Je veux’ and ‘I’ll Make My Personal Heaven’, all singles from the EP, in addition to ‘I Love You So A lot’ – a observe that Cantona wrote particularly for the followers of his former membership Manchester United.

“I’ve all the time been enthusiastic about artwork,” Cantona instructed NME. “Since I used to be a child, I’ve felt the necessity to categorical myself by any sort of artwork. The final [art form] I hadn’t tried was music.”

Cantona began out by writing lyrics for his spouse, the actress and musician Rachida Brakni, greater than a decade in the past – and recounted how the music editor of a widely known French arts journal was offered with the album however refused to hearken to music “with lyrics written by an ex-footballer”.

Later, Cantona wrote a track known as ‘Le Temps Passe’ for Brakni’s band, Woman Sir, underneath a pseudonym, Auguste Raurich (impressed by his favorite uncle, Auguste). The identical editor, unaware of Cantona’s involvement, this time praised the music and his lyrics particularly.

After that success, Cantona continued to put in writing songs, releasing an EP in October final yr. He launched into a tour shortly after, promoting out a string of UK and European stay dates. He’s at the moment ending up his second tour, with the ultimate present scheduled for Amsterdam tonight (April 26).

“I like to be on stage – and I like to be in entrance of the folks, you realize, singing or taking part in soccer or appearing in a play within the theatre,” Cantona stated. “I believe music is part of what makes us human. Even animals, you realize, can really feel the vibes of music. It’s like music was there earlier than us. It may possibly take you into one other world, like sport can – in the event you play or as a fan. Taking part in stay provides me a really, very robust feeling. I adore it.”

Requested which musicians he takes inspiration from for his performances, Cantona stated he tried to not watch his idols too carefully for worry of by chance imitating them. “On stage, I need to be free,” he stated. “In fact, once you’re a youngster, you’re keen on [certain artists]. For me, I like Jim Morrison. I like Jacques Brel and Serge Gainsbourg however I don’t need to copy them. I’ve been impressed by folks however I don’t do artwork to repeat folks. I need to categorical myself although my character in my very own approach. I’m distinctive.”

Trying forward, Cantona stated he wish to broaden his stay band, which at the moment consists of a pianist and cellist (plus himself on vocals), so he can play greater venues and to bigger crowds. Maybe, even music festivals.

“Possibly on the finish of this yr, I’ll have a drummer or electrical guitarist, extra musicians – which is a greater technique to play Glastonbury or one other music competition,” he stated. “They requested me to play a competition in France. However I stated I’d desire to go together with an even bigger band.”

In addition to his personal music, Cantona has collaborated with different musicians through the years, together with an look in Liam Gallagher’s 2019 music video for the one ‘As soon as’. He additionally offered Finest Music Movie to Gallagher on the NME Awards 2020 for the documentary Liam Gallagher: As It Was.

Requested in the event that they’re nonetheless buddies, Cantona stated: “Sure, in fact… I listened to his new album with John Squire, the guitarist of The Stone Roses [titled ‘Liam Gallagher John Squire’]. It’s a terrific album. I adore it. And so they invited me to go and watch them stay. I hope I can go, however I don’t suppose I can with all of the [gigs I’m playing]. We’ll see.”

Cantona is following in Gallagher’s footsteps together with his new stay album – and referred to his pal’s document ‘Knebworth 22’, reduce in the course of the first of two sold-out reveals at Knebworth Park in June 2022, as inspiration for his personal launch. “Liam’s album was unbelievable, and I did this mission to be on stage with the folks in entrance of my followers. I like that feeling.”

Éric Cantona’s debut stay album ‘Cantona sings Eric – First Tour Ever’ is out now by way of Decca Data