Credit: Found On Internet

Los Angeles is a strange place. One minute you’re washing your smalls at the Laundromat, an hour later you’re interviewing Morrissey.

Local radio station Indie 103.1FM announced that the former Smiths icon was holding a rare TV conference ahead of his residency at the Hollywood Palladium.

A chance for Music Towers to infiltrate?

So, I sped down Sunset Boulevard; charmed the doorman, courtesy of my finest Leicester accent, and next thing I knew it was my turn to quiz Morrissey.

Morrissey had returned to Los Angeles for an unprecedented 10-day residency at the Hollywood Palladium. He would be the last artist to play there before the venue closes for much-needed renovations.

Dressed in a crisp, navy suit and Morrissey t-shirt, the man himself, backed by his band, showcased five songs – Let Me Kiss You, Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, and new compositions All You Need is Me, That’s How People Grow Old and One Day Goodbye Will be Farewell.

The trademark poise, exaggerated swishes and arched eyebrows were all in place, so was he still enjoying touring? Because, um, sometimes Mr Morrissey it’s hard to tell with you.

“Deliriously happy,” Morrissey dead-pans back.

“I don’t ever call this, being on stage, performing. To me it’s quite natural.

“Performance is fake and it’s difficult for me to think of this as a show. Off stage, maybe that’s when I’m performing.”

Hmmmm. Not an easy one this.

Morrissey, now in the midst of a 177-leg tour, left LA to relocate to Rome last year, but the city still holds him in its thrall and vice versa.

At his opening show that evening, the audience scream at the intro of every song – maybe even before the first bar of The Smiths’ Death of A Disco Dancer.

They chant his name and there are gifts too, a handmade manga comic, and flowers, of course.

What is it about Los Angeles that raises a smile from the Pope of Mope?

“I still love it here,” says Morrissey. “It’s crazy, it’s insane but other aspects are more (pause) gratifying.