Skin Flicks

by Guest Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:05 pm

MIKE SKINNER is hanging up his microphone for good to become a full-time movie director.
Britain’s top rapper told me he will swap the recording studio for the editing suite after two more Streets albums.
And he’s already making another lifestyle change as he prepares to take his imminent fourth album out on the road — replacing hotel room benders with MUSEUM TRIPS.

Mike said: “Films are an inspiration to me. As soon as I finish the fifth Streets album, which will take me to the end of my record deal, I’m going to make my first film.
“It will seem like a documentary but have the narrative of a fictional film.”
Mike has been working on his online “TV” channel Beat Stevie, which focuses on his life on the road.
He went on: “We’ve started entering episodes for short film festivals like Sundance. The plan is to do longer episodes and work up to doing the film.
“But the full-length movie will be very different to Beat Stevie.”
Mike’s new album, Everything Is Borrowed, is out on September 15, with the tour beginning on October 4.
His last offering, 2006’s The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living, was heavily influenced by his booze and drug problems — a big feature of previous tours. Mike spent some time completely sober to get his head together.
Although no longer entirely on the wagon, he pledged this tour won’t pass him by in a booze and drug haze.
“We’re excited about all the other possibilities of touring rather than being in a hotel room pranging out all night. It’s almost more rock and roll to visit museums.
“We still have the odd night but the shows are rubbish when we’re partying all the time.”
The new album marks a bold shift in The Streets’ trademark style, with rich live instruments replacing the electronic equipment that powered previous outings.
Mike explained: “I wanted to do something that was very positive because the last one was quite dark.”
And he’s already powering through recording his last album.
He added: “I’m well into it already. I’m coming back with the electronics more than ever.”
I’m glad Mike is in a happier frame of mind than a few years back. At this rate, his movie debut will give The Sound Of Music a run for its money in the feel-good stakes.