Alex James

Born in Bournemouth, Dorset in 1968, Alex James is a multifaceted talent best known as the bassist of Blur, one of the most successful and influential bands of the Britpop era. Alex first picked up the bass in 1984 and, after meeting Graham Coxon at Goldsmiths College, joined Blur alongside Graham, Dave Rowntree, and Damon Albarn when the band formed in 1988.

Blur’s impact on the music scene is undeniable, with nine studio albums topping the UK charts and numerous hit singles like “Song 2,” “Beetlebum,” and “Tender.” Their 2015 comeback with the critically acclaimed #1 album “The Magic Whip” marked the band’s most extensive international chart success, leading to a sold-out world tour and a triumphant homecoming show in London’s Hyde Park. Recently, Blur released their ninth studio album “The Ballad of Darren” and completed a European and South American tour, including two nights at Wembley Stadium, wrapping up at Coachella in April 2024.

Beyond Blur, Alex has showcased his songwriting and production talents, collaborating with a diverse array of artists including Marianne Faithfull, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Florence and The Machine, KT Tunstall, Joe Strummer, Bernard Sumner, Kevin Rowland, Stephen Duffy on Me Me Me, and Fat Les on the 1998 hit “Vindaloo.”

A prolific writer, Alex has published two memoirs: “A Bit Of A Blur” (2007) and “All Cheeses Great And Small” (2011). His third book, “Over the Rainbow,” is set for release in Christmas 2024.

Alex’s passion for cheese is well-documented, with his award-winning range including Blue Monday, Goddess, and Grunge. Since 2011, Alex has hosted The Big Feastival on his farm, attracting 25,000 visitors daily and featuring performances from Elbow, Jess Glynne, Grandmaster Flash, Mark Ronson, Nile Rodgers, Basement Jaxx, Clean Bandit, and Paloma Faith. The festival has also seen culinary greats like Jamie Oliver, Marco Pierre White, Prue Leith, Raymond Blanc, and Pierre Koffman. This year’s mainstage headliners include Becky Hill, Ministry of Sound Classical, and Snow Patrol.

In 2019, Alex launched Britpop, a sparkling medium dry cider, and in 2023, he introduced his first British sparkling wine, also named Britpop. The Britpop range has since expanded to include Britpop Rosé NV, Britpop Elderflower Wine Spritz, and Britpop Brut NV in partnership with Laithwaites.

Alex lives on an organic farm in Oxfordshire with his wife and their five children.