Drumming News :
Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has unveiled a deeply personal new project: a photography book titled No One You Know, offering fans an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the early days of the iconic British band. Published by independent publisher Hero, the book features never-before-seen images captured by Rowntree himself on a second-hand Olympus OM-10 film camera.
No One You Know is a visual time capsule, chronicling a moment when Blur was still on the edge of fame—touring in buses for the first time, working on their debut album, and dreaming big from the bedrooms rather than big stages. The book will be available in an exclusive artist edition, which includes three collectible postcard prints, sold only through Rowntree’s official store.
“I found all these pictures again during lockdown while digging through boxes for Tim Burgess’s Twitter listening parties,” Rowntree shared in a recent conversation. “It brought everything back. Some memories are so vivid, others completely forgotten. It felt right to collect them into a book.”
For Rowntree, photography has long been a quiet companion. “I’ve been taking photos since I was about seven or eight. It’s just something I’ve always done,” he explained. While he doesn’t claim the Olympus OM-10 was top-tier, its compact size and innovative light meter made it a trusty travel companion during those formative Blur years.
Looking back at those early shots—of makeshift studios, long tours, and the wide-eyed rush of youth—was an emotional process. “The early photos hit hardest,” he said. “I remember how new everything felt. Recording an album for the first time, working with a real producer—it was disorientating and exciting, like wearing new clothes that didn’t quite fit yet.”
Rowntree reflected on the realities of early fame, the grind of constant touring, and the innocence that fades as novelty becomes routine. “You think touring sounds glamorous, but really you’re just exhausted all the time.”
Despite Blur’s evolution—and the transformation of the music industry itself—Rowntree holds a fondness for the pre-digital era when music was more than background noise. “Back then, listening to music was the hobby,” he recalled. “You’d buy records, share them with friends, read every liner note. It was a full experience. That’s something I hope returns.”
As for the future, Rowntree remains curious and creatively engaged, now gravitating toward immersive experiences and experimental music, including artists like Jon Hopkins. While No One You Know doesn’t feature snapshots from his post-Blur pursuits—such as politics or space exploration—it remains a love letter to the band’s beginnings and a moment in time that shaped so much more.
And yes, Blur still keeps in touch. “We support each other’s projects and go to each other’s shows,” he said. “But we all live in different parts of the UK now. What’s a small trek to an Australian feels like a long-distance relationship to us Brits.”
No One You Know is available now in its special edition form at drumsetconfessional.com and more information on the release can be found through Hero publishers. For Blur fans, it’s a nostalgic, candid glimpse into the making of a band—and a reminder of when everything was just beginning.
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