Goldie talks recording with David Bowie at Sonos London

British music producer Goldie has revealed how nervous he was recording with the legendary David Bowie at the launch of California tech company Sonos’ London store.

Sonos opened its Seven Dials concept store in the capital yesterday evening, marking the launch of its first voice-activated speaker – the Sonos One and celebrating the life of the glam rock superstar.

In collaboration with writer Paul Gorman, Sonos Song Stories: Bowie was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer and was attended by music producer Goldie, The Libertines’ Carl Barat among others.  

Goldie, 52, explained DJ Pete Tong facilitated his first meeting with the late singer-songwriter and confessed he ‘felt like a right d***’ singing in front of him for the first time.

He said: ‘I got this really weird phone call from Pete Tong and he said, “Bowie loves Timeless and he really wants to work with you, will you meet him”.

‘I said I’d love to and I met him in this weird place, I met him at Fortune and Mason (I think) and had tea, sat around with him and he said ‘I really love the record and I want to come down to the studio.’ 

Described as a ‘retail, exhibition, screen and listening space’, the shop features two ‘listening rooms’ where customers will be able to stream their own music. Pictured: Some of the Bowie pictures going on display 

He went on to discuss how nervous the star made him in the recording studio, saying: ‘We went into the booth I was really nervous because I’d never really engaged in an artist of his magnitude, and also the fact that I’ve now got to sing it to him in front of him, I feel like a right d***. 

‘So I just start singing the chorus “would you lie to me lately, truth” and he says “I get that, ok cool, we can work with that”, and then he said to me “you see that lyric there, I wanted to ask you about this, what is that?”

‘And I say “Tomorrow for you to know that sorrow hides in sculpture” and he says “where did you get that from? 

“You pulled it out of the air didn’t you?” and I went “something like that – it’s was a four-day bender really” and he started laughing.’ 

The firm plans to use the store to host cultural talks, screenings and ‘listening events’ after last night’s Sonos Song Stories: Bowie event

He added: ‘I kept saying to him on the phone in the month running up to it, “I really don’t want to do it David, I don’t want to do a DnB record’ because it’s so cop out, it’s so f***** cliché,” and he goes “man you got to do what you feel, you just got to do what you feel.”

‘It was a very macabre period of my life, it was a very macabre thing that he wanted to exercise some demons also. 

‘It was a record that we thought, we was just like that, “f***** yes”, because at the time it was really busy, and he was like, “you know no one’s going to like this right?” and I’m like “yeah” and he said “that’s alright then” and that’s what it was.’

Described as a ‘retail, exhibition, screen and listening space’, the new London Sonos shop features two ‘listening rooms’ where customers can stream their own music. 

The firm plans to use the store to host more cultural talks, screenings and ‘listening events’ after the Bowie debut took place last night.

Whitney Walker, the general store manager, said: ‘The entire store experience is based on the idea of being in a really comfortable and inspiring environment’ 

It featured images of the music icon taken by snappers like Mick Rock, Brian Duffy, Rolf Adlercreutz and Mike Maloney. 

Carl Barat of The Libertines and Dirty Pretty things was also at the event, where he gushed about one of his biggest music heroes.

He said: ‘I loved Bowie, Bowie had balls. I used to be terrified of wearing leather jackets and having long hair back in the 90’s, for fear of getting a kick in.

The new Seven Dials concept store in London 

‘But, Bowie would walk around London looking like a mental patient.

‘He wasn’t hard looking either and he brazenly crossed the lines of gender, at a time when he really did risk a kick in for doing so, and he aced it, kick in free – a true hero and leader figure for all of us drop-outs and misfits, to follow.

The singer, 39, added: ‘David Bowie had been an integral part of my life in many ways. 

‘I’ve known his music and engaged with it on a personal level, ever since I can remember, as far back as being a toddler, in fact.

‘I have hazy memories of long car journeys, strapped in the child’s seat, my sister and I listening to my parent’s mixtapes, when we’d brace ourselves waiting for Scary Monsters to come on, upon which we’d be thrilled and terrified in equal manor.

‘Listening back now it’s not quite as scary as it once was but for a life-long familiarity with his voice, which now feels like such a personal thing – it’s as if he’s one of my family, like Mike or Dave! Hunky Dory was the first album I played myself, from my Dad’s dusty tape drawer – then, in my own new world, I was hooked.’

During the opening weekend, NTS Radio will broadcast live from the store, with a 16-hour programme curated by DJs Ross Allen, Charlie Bones, Nabihah Iqbal and Bullion. 

Goldie and David Bowie are pictured after they met at a tea room in London 

The mammoth show will feature interviews and conversations inspired by Bowie’s life.

The shop itself features acoustics-improving textures, bevelled glass walls to reduce bounce and handwoven rugs as part of the carefully crafted decor. 

Sonos says that every space in the shop has been ‘sonically tuned’ by the firm’s sound specialists. 

Artists Camille Walala and Neil Raitt helped design the interior.                

Whitney Walker, the general store manager, said: ‘The entire store experience is based on the idea of being in a really comfortable and inspiring environment. 

Last night’s event paid tribute to the late singer-songwriter who died in January last year 

‘We’re proud to be opening our first European concept store in London, providing a dedicated space for music fans to create, connect and ultimately discover the best ways to listen to music out loud.

‘We have carefully considered how people bring music into their home environment through curation, and used it within the concept store to pay homage to the great city of London and the culture that was born here and continues to inspire the world. 

Carl Barat (pictured), 39, was also at the event to talk about one of his music heroes

‘Our passionate staff look forward to opening the doors to the public and can’t wait to provide the capital with world class Sonos service.’

Sam Bain-Mollison, head of retail strategy and leasing at Shaftesbury, said: ‘Sonos is one of the most exciting brands in the world and we are thrilled they selected Earlham Street for their UK debut. 

‘It is a significant launch for Seven Dials that adds to the authentic, cultural appeal of the destination. 

‘More than that, however, it is a clear affirmation of the importance of bricks and mortar retail in allowing brands to deliver an engaging experience with their customers, that simply cannot be achieved online alone.

‘Sonos will provide a truly new immersive experience within an area where leading international brands rub shoulders with a mix of independent shops, restaurants and boutiques. 

‘This is in firm alignment with our strategy for Seven Dials of creating an influential and unique mix of retail and dining in the heart of London’s West End.’