health
‘I thought – if I die, I’ve had a good innings’: producer James Ford on life, death and making an album from his hospital bed
The Arctic Monkeys, Pet Shop Boys and Pulp collaborator was at the height of his powers as Britain’s most in-demand music producer when leukaemia struck. ‘I realised life is exceptionally fragile,’ he says
TL;DR
- James Ford, a prominent music producer, reflects on a period of excessive drug use with the band Klaxons during the recording of their second album, which was ultimately aborted.
- Ford has established himself as a highly sought-after producer, working with major artists like Arctic Monkeys, Florence + the Machine, and Pulp.
- He was diagnosed with leukaemia on Christmas Eve 2024, leading to extensive treatment including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
- Despite his illness, Ford wrote and recorded his new album, 'Lost in Another World,' in his hospital room within two weeks.
- The experience of battling leukaemia has given Ford a profound appreciation for life, family, and intentionality in his choices.
- Ford emphasizes that music was a saving grace during his illness, providing a focus and a creative outlet.