Al Doyle

With New Build’s next single ‘False Thing’ due out on 29 August via their own Lanark Recordings, band member and erstwhile Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem man Al Doyle takes the Best Fit Q&A and tells us all about his nightmares of Nosferatu and who he’d most like to apologise to.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

I’m not sure I could sell a movie of my life even with an A-list Hollywood star – it would be too short, too samey and far too centred around airports and my local pub. Or pubs in airports. But if I get to meet the actor – because obviously he’d have to hang out with me, learn my mannerisms etc – then I would probably choose an 80s Rob Lowe because he’s supposed to be fun to be around and he is nice to look at. I get the sense that he probably smells nice too.

What would your superpower be and why?

I’d be able to instantly convert people to being politically liberal without having to resort to the usual facts/research/appeals to humanity. Why? Because I believe that would improve everyone’s lot.

What’s your idea of heaven?

I think as you get closer to a definition of heaven, it starts to sound more and more artificial. What we love in life has more to do with variety, surprise and contrast than anything we can name. It would involve a certain quality of light, and I hope it would involve certain people I love.

What one thing have you learnt from your parents?
Kindness, I hope.

What song do you wish you’d written?

Wehy Can’t I Touch It by The Buzzcocks.

If you could say something to your 15 year old self, what would it be?
Never get old son, never get old.

What’s your re-occurring nightmare?

It’s a really, really terrifying one involving a figure I sometimes get close to truly believing is the embodiment of Nosferatu, the Vampire of the Night. Felix has a worse one, where in the dream he dies, and then it goes black for a bit, and then the credits start to roll on his life.

What song will they play at your funeral?

That’s an annoying question because the other day I was trying to think of the most inappropriate song to play at a funeral and I thought I’d really nailed it, but now I’ve forgotten. At my own funeral I guess I wouldn’t care too much; something short, something loud.

What five people would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
Nye Bevan, John Berger, Clive James, John Cale, W.G. Sebald.

Who would you most like to apologise to and why?
To the people who come after, for what we’re about to do to you.