December 17, 2024

Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall - A Love Story & Relationship Timeline

Blur’s guitarist Graham Coxon and former Pipettes singer Rose Elinor Dougall have formed not only an electrifying musical partnership but a deep personal relationship. But how did they meet? Who is Rose Dougall? From their initial meeting to the formation of their band, The WAEVE, and welcoming their daughter, Coxon and Dougall’s journey is as much about love and family as it is about music. 

Here’s a look at their love story & relationship timeline.

2004: Graham attends a gig by The Pipettes

The pair met for the first time at a gig in 2004 by The Pipettes which Graham Coxon decided to attend. Graham Coxon reportedly "needed a night out" and the pair had a brief chat at the bar after the show. The pair lost contact and did not meet each other afterwards for a long time. 

December 2020: A Fateful Meeting

Graham Coxon and Rose Dougall reconnected at a charity gig in London’s Jazz CafĂ© organised by their friend in late 2020, and this casual meeting quickly turned into a creative spark. Dougall, known for her work with The Pipettes and as a solo artist, suggested they try writing music together casually. 

For Coxon, who had recently relocated from LA to London and was navigating a world paused by COVID-19, the timing felt perfect. He described it as a “state of flux,” which Dougall’s suggestion offered a way out of. Their shared love for experimental music and art-rock influences set the stage for a unique partnership, both musically and personally.

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Early 2021: The Birth of The WAEVE

Coxon and Dougall’s collaboration quickly transformed into something greater. They formed The WAEVE, a project where the two could explore new sounds and blend their musical influences. Their chemistry was immediate, and it didn’t take long before their creative relationship deepened into a romance. 

Through long hours of songwriting and recording, they discovered an emotional connection that enriched both their music and their lives.

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2023: Debut Album and Growing Together

Their self-titled debut album, The WAEVE, was released in early 2023 to critical acclaim. The record was a mix of dreamlike soundscapes and experimental arrangements, blending beauty with underlying tension. The combination of Dougall’s haunting vocals, Coxon’s signature guitar, and surprising elements like saxophone and modular synths, created a unique, immersive experience for listeners. Fans and critics noted that the record felt intensely personal, almost like a glimpse into the budding relationship between Coxon and Dougall.

Dougall later reflected that making the album felt like “getting to know each other” through music. What began as a simple suggestion to write together became a journey of mutual discovery, and the two found themselves falling in love over the course of creating their first record.

August 2022: Welcoming Their Daughter, Eliza May

In August 2022, Coxon and Dougall welcomed their daughter, Eliza May. The arrival of Eliza May added a new layer to their partnership and profoundly impacted their music. Suddenly, their creative world expanded to include the joys and challenges of parenthood. 

Coxon and Dougall’s experiences as new parents soon found their way into their songwriting, especially as they began working on their second album, City Lights.

September 2024: The Release of City Lights

Just over a year after their debut, Coxon and Dougall released City Lights in September 2024. The album is a bold evolution of The WAEVE’s sound, marked by art-rock intensity and themes of family and self-reflection. 

The songs capture the complexities of parenthood, love, and life’s ups and downs, making City Lights a deeply personal album. The couple described the album as a way of “confronting the constraints of domestic life” and channeling that urgency into their music.

Tracks like “Song For Eliza May” are directly inspired by their daughter, while others, like “Simple Days” and “You Saw,” reflect their journey as a couple and as parents. The album showcases a more aggressive, assured sound compared to their debut, reflecting both their evolving partnership and the challenges of balancing creativity with family life.

October 2024: Taking City Lights on Tour

To celebrate the release of City Lights, The WAEVE announced a series of intimate shows at Rough Trade locations in Liverpool, Nottingham, and Bristol. 

They also planned their biggest headline show to date at London’s Village Underground on October 29. Before that, they joined Elbow on tour and performed at several festivals, sharing their new music with fans across the UK.

A Relationship Built on Love, Creativity, and Exploration

For Coxon and Dougall, The WAEVE represents more than just a band—it’s a testament to their shared journey as partners, parents, and musicians. From the first spark of collaboration in 2020 to the release of City Lights in 2024, their relationship has grown in harmony with their music. 

As they look forward to future projects and the ongoing adventure of parenthood, Coxon and Dougall’s story remains a compelling mix of romance, creativity, and exploration. For fans of both Blur and Dougall’s earlier work, The WAEVE is not just a new musical chapter—it’s the embodiment of a love that grew through music and became something extraordinary.


November 11, 2024

Graham Coxon Embroiled in Bitter Divorce with Ex Soraya Coxon

Blur guitarist Graham Coxon is in the midst of a bitter, gruelling UK High Court divorce battle with his wife, Soraya "Essy" Coxon. 

On September 19 2024, Mr. Coxon attended an interim hearing at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, presided over by Mr. Justice Peel, regarding his separation. Both Mr. Coxon, represented by Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, and Mrs. Coxon, represented by Michael Glaser KC, were identified in the proceedings, though the judge has prohibited publication of specific case details.

A follow-up hearing is expected in the coming months.

Coxon’s professional life remains high-profile as Blur recently completed a world tour, including two monumental performances at Wembley in 2023. The band, which includes Damon Albarn, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree, continues to thrive with a legacy of 13 UK top 10 singles and seven chart-topping albums.

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While Coxon’s personal life has been challenging, he has found renewed happiness and inspiration with musician Rose Elinor Dougall. 

Dougall, the granddaughter of respected BBC newsreader Robert Neill Dougall and singer in The Pipettes, and Coxon share both a romantic and musical partnership as the duo behind The WAEVE. They released their latest album, City Lights, in September and are also parents to a two-year-old daughter Eliza May.

Coxon’s marriage to Soraya 'Essy' Coxon reportedly began to dissolve around 2020 with rumours of him meeting Rose Elinor Dougall at the same time during a London charity concert, which led to a period of emotional turmoil. 

Reflecting on the experience, he recently shared with The Times: “It was extremely traumatic. That’s when I knew I needed therapy.”

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Graham Coxon with his ex-wife Soraya 'Essy' Coxon

The guitarist eventually returned to the UK, where he connected with Dougall. Their relationship began as a creative collaboration but soon blossomed into romance and family life. 

“I didn’t know what I was going to be doing,” Coxon recalled. “I had just gone through a big loss of confidence, so I liked the idea of working with someone who could sing and play piano and take the strain a little bit. I don’t think either of us expected it to go the way it did.”

Known for his reserved and socially awkward nature, Coxon admitted that Dougall’s lively, outgoing personality has helped him open up. 

“I’ve always been socially awkward, which is why it’s great going out with Rose because she’s lively and she enjoys the moment,” he explained. 

Looking back, he added, “For years I was the snarling person in the corner, hiding in a pub in Camden. I was the problematic Blur boy.”

This news comes around the same time when Damon Albarn, Coxon's long-time friend and bandmate from Blur, separated from his long-term partner Suzi Winstanley. 


April 18, 2023

10 Facts You Never Knew About Graham Coxon

Graham Coxon is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and producer who is best known as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and principal songwriter for the popular British rock band Blur. Since his departure from the band in 2002, Coxon has released eight solo studio albums, collaborated with other artists, and become an accomplished producer. Here are 10 strange facts you never knew about Graham Coxon!

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1. Coxon is a self-taught musician. He began playing guitar when he was 11 years old, and learned to play by ear. 2. Coxon was originally a member of a punk band called Seattle. The band released one single in 1982, but soon disbanded. 3. Coxon is known for his unusual guitar-playing style, which combines elements of punk, funk, blues, and jazz. 4. Coxon is a self-describedtinkerer. He often experiments with unusual guitar tunings and effects, and has built many of his own guitars. 5. Coxon has also dabbled in photography and art, and has had several works featured in exhibitions. 6. Coxon is a passionate collector of vintage guitars and amplifiers. 7. Coxon has released several EPs and albums under the aliasThe Blood Brothers. 8. Coxon has collaborated with other artists, including Damon Albarn, Supergrass, and The Streets. 9. Coxon has collaborated with a number of high-profile musicians and producers, including Stephen Street and Tony Visconti. 10. Coxon is an avid cyclist, and often cycles to gigs and recording sessions. These are 10 strange facts you never knew about Graham Coxon. From his self-taught guitar skills to his passion for cycling, Coxon is an artist whose influence can be felt in many musical genres.


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