Martin Freeman (April 2012)

1: Your full name? Martin John Christopher Freeman 2: Where do you call home? Hertfordshire, just outside London 3: What is your earliest memory of music? Maybe the Bay City Rollers. My first memory of anything I could actually sing along to or memorise was Punk; Pistols, The Clash, The Jam, Buzzcocks... Youngest of five, y'see. 4: What is your most desired record, ie – what is the most elusive gem you are still seeking? For ages it was Syreeta's first album on Mo'West from 1972. Everyone knew it, or had just had it in, but I literally never saw it. Eventually I picked one up in Tokyo and then I seemed to see it everywhere. I think I'm on my 3rd copy now. 5: Who would you most like to work with? Too many to single one out. I'm always seeing work by people that leaves me impressed. But sure, at the moment? One Direction. 6: Your favourite holiday destination, and why? Sorrento, the Bay of Naples. Sweet peace. 7: What is the first film or show that you have been in that anyone who is unfamiliar with your work should see first? Hard to say, but I guess The Office is the one that most other folks would choose,whether I like it or not. Fortunately, I like it. 8: What’s the last great film you saw? I came pretty late to the 'Dragon Tattoo' trilogy, but was an instant fan. Haven't seen the Fincher one yet, but will do... 9: And the last great record you heard? 'Boys and Girls' by Alabama Shakes. I heard it in a record shop that is, in many ways, not Slow Boat. I bought it last weekend and have been caning it. Watching them on YouTube, becoming an unpaid A&R man for 'em. They are brilliant. And the singer, Brittany, is beyond serious. I feel like a kid discovering his new favourite record. 10: Who is going to win the next FIFA World Cup? Oh Lord, anyone's guess. I'm an eternal optimist about England, and go through the same heartache every two years at the Euros and the World cup- if we're actually there- but realistically? The Faroe Islands. Or the All Whites, of course. Have Slow Boat got a team?