Blur’s Dave Rowntree shares debut solo single ‘London Bridge’

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has launched his solo career with new track ‘London Bridge’. You can listen to Rowntree’s debut offering in full below.

The new track is released via indie label Cooking Vinyl and marks an entirely new chapter for Rowntree, some 32 years after Blur originally formed in 1989.

A subdued lofi-effort, the track also sees Rowntree team up with producer Leo Abrahams, who is known for his previous work with the likes of Jon Hopkins, Brian Eno and Ghostpoet.

It comes after he initially signed to Cooking Vinyl last year and confirmed plans to release a solo album.

Rowntree said of the new track: “When I was in my early 20s, in Colchester, I would start to see the number 126 everywhere. I lived at a house that was 126, I’d get a bus that was 126. It felt to me that the universe was trying to alert my attention to 126 for some reason, even though the rational part of me knew that that was bollocks.

“So, ‘London Bridge’ was one of those. Things just started happening when I was near London Bridge, or going past on the bus, or on the tube going underneath London Bridge. I would just notice events occurring, and it was slightly unsettling.

“I had to confront my London Bridge demons and that’s what the song is about.”

He added: “I’m really excited to release my first single as a solo artist. It’s from a body of work that I’ve been putting together over the last couple of years, and I’m humbled to be releasing it on the legendary Cooking Vinyl label.”

While a release date for the album is yet to be confirmed, a press release promises “much more to come” from Rowntree.

As well as his drumming work with Blur, Rowntree’s extensive and eclectic experience includes film and TV composer (forr Netflix series The One and the BBC technological crime thriller The Capture), podcaster, light aircraft pilot (and instructor), lawyer, and former Labour councillor.

His last gig with Blur came when the band staged a surprise 2019 reunion at a Damon Albarn gig in Leytonstone, East London which formed part of the celebrations to mark Waltham Forest being named as the London Borough of Culture 2019.

Asked if Blur had already played their last-ever show, he said in 2020: “I really hope not. I love doing those gigs, they’re great, but it’s not something I need to do.

“I only do it because there’s a joy in doing it. It’s an absolute treat. I can’t wait to sing ‘Parklife’ again.”

He also spoke of his hopes for a post-Covid reunion last year, writing on Twitter: “Can’t wait till this bloody virus is dead, and we can get back out there.”