The combination of a packed session diary and his own modesty means Katche has released his self-penned albums more sporadically than most of us would like. Last year’s Playground was his best yet.

Manu Katche says:

“Even though I’ve been trained as a pianist and a classical percussionist, I was never sure if I’d be able to write, so I always kept my music at home in a little corner, until finally, after all those experiences with all those great artists, I thought, ‘OK, I should go ahead’.”

“I think Playground has been quite good in the way of writing, because I only had a year-and-a-half to do it and, when I presented it to the musicians, nobody laughed. It’s always a challenge when it’s your own music – you’re naked.”

“With my material I know every note of the structure, so when I write I try not to think about the drums. When we finally get into the studio I might not be as fresh as when I play for other artists, but I can react to the music and be a bit more inventive.”