For some, New York City is the place to live it up, but for Dave Gahan, it’s the place to sober up. The Depeche Mode singer moved to the city 20 years ago in an attempt to kick the drug addiction that plagued him in the 1990s, and despite the temptations that lurk on every corner, he’s managed it. The British band plays two shows at Madison Square Garden (on Sept. 9 and 11), and for Gahan, 55, they’re essentially homecomings. Here, he tells Hardeep Phull about his New York weekends.
I live in Tribeca now, but I still like going to the West Village where I used to live. There’s a coffee shop called Dante which is still one of my hot spots; and me and my wife, Jennifer, like to have dinner at The Odeon. Of course, I’ve got my pizza spot — Joe’s on Carmine Street is a must. For a classic slice, it’s got to be the thin crust.
I don’t go to Broadway that often, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Sam Shepard plays — “Buried Child” and things like that. They’re very family oriented in the sense that they’re about what a family is really like.
I used to love hanging out with my dog, but she passed away last year. That was a big deal for me. We used to go to the dog runs on the West Side Highway, right on the river. I miss doing that a lot. But I still find myself getting up early and going out for a wander — I just do it on my own, now. I like listening to other people’s conversations. It’s a great inspiration for songs.
In the summer, like everyone else, I feel like I need to get out of here. We’re lucky enough to have a place in Montauk and I actually like going out there in the winter. I like the isolation when there’s no one around and, if there’s a big snowstorm, I love to walk on the beach.
The thing I love about New York is that no one really bothers you too much. Sometimes someone will say they’re a fan, or ask for a selfie, which is fine, but most of the time, you don’t need to worry about that kind of thing. There’s no city like this. I’ve been all over the world, but New York is the only place that feels like home.
