WOMAD

Chris Difford

From United Kingdom

Chris Difford came to fame as front man and songwriter with east London new wave pop icons Squeeze. After writing such classics as ‘Cool For Cats’, ‘Tempted’, ‘Up The Junction’ and ‘Black Coffee In Bed’ as well as releasing thirteen albums and touring the globe, Chris decided hang up his blue suede shoes and in the words of his official biog, ‘take the waters’. This new found stasis allowed him to concentrate on his first love, song writing, and he went on to write with the likes of Elton John, Trilok Gurtu, Marti Pellow, Willie Mitchell and the legendary Lamont Dozier. Chris has also given innumerable song writing workshops, including special webcasts from his Sussex studio involving Turin Brakes, Jane Birkin and Nitin Sawhney, to name but a few, and songwriter shows at the Half Moon in Putney. The lyrics he wrote for the film ‘Still Crazy’, earned him a coveted Ivor Novello award, which has taken pride of place on the mantelpiece of the Difford home. A recent two-year song writing partnership with Marti Pellow gave birth to more than 150 new songs and the chance to work with some other very fine tunesmiths. Chris also collaborated on a new album with friend and producer Francis Dunnery and has recently toured with Elvis Costello and Jools Holland.