INTRO
GALEN AYERS & PAUL SIMONON
The unlikely duo discuss art as inspiration, tapping into the creative spirit of Mallorca and the forthcoming Kevin Ayers’ reissues.
Words: Rob Hughes
Aprog legend’s daughter and The Clash’s former bassist aren’t the most obvious collaborators. But Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day? is the thoroughly arresting debut from Galen Ayers and Paul Simonon, who create a set of pan-European songs (sung in both English and Spanish) with a laidback Mediterranean vibe that’s often reminiscent of Galen’s late father, Kevin. Produced by Tony Visconti, and featuring guest spots from Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) and others, the album has its roots in a Mallorcan fishing village, where Simonon stayed during lockdown.
How did this album happen?
Galen Ayers: After the hard Covid lockdown, Paul was just coming back to London from Spain and I was coming back from Greece. And we’d both been writing songs. We just started chatting and realised we were in the same place. The fun thing, I think, is this third space that opens up in any good collaboration, because you’re being pushed in ways that you wouldn’t necessarily go if you were just alone.