Gruff Rhys, frontman of the Super Furry Animals, speaks to Matt Westcott about his third album, Hotel Shampoo, ahead of his appearance in Middlesbrough.

AS a touring musician Gruff Rhys has seen a lot of hotel bathrooms.

So much so that since 1995 he has been hoarding all those items that hoteliers feel our stay would not be the same without.

By his own admission he was something of a mild kleptomaniac, but now, urged on by friends and family, he has put them to good use both artistically and musically.

“When I started touring and staying in hotels I was quite shocked at how much they give away, like shampoo and stuff,” he said. “It seemed so wasteful, but also I couldn’t believe it was free. It was after a period of signing on before I signed to a record deal. It was quite a novelty and I didn’t necessarily think the touring life would last.

“After about 15 years everybody said I should do something with them and so I built a hotel out of all the shampoo bottles.

It is about the size of a dog kennel and it sleeps one.

“It means I have always got somewhere to live. I ended up stealing the name of the hotel for the album because the songs were quite reflective. For the most part they were written, but the title helped me to finish off some of the songs as well.”

Rhys is an incredibly active artist. In recent months he has released an experimental album with a Brazilian TV repairman, has featured alongside De La Soul and Gorillaz on a song about a fictional fast-food breakfast product, has collaborated with visual artist Phil Collins and headlined stages at Glastonbury, Field Day, Green Man and the End of the Road festivals.

“I have to turn things down,” he said of some of the offers that have come his way.

“If I work with different people they are usually people I know already or people I have toured with or have had a pint with.

“For the most part when something comes out the blue and I don’t know them I don’t usually end up doing it.

“The only person I have approached in recent years is El Perro Del Mar. I was a big fan of her albums and her song-writing.

Her songs are quite dark and this was a bit of a sad song and so I sent her an email and was very surprised and honoured that she was happy to be on the song.”

His latest album has received rave reviews and he has been nominated for an inaugural Welsh Music Prize alongside the likes of the Manic Street Preachers and Funeral For A Friend.

Not that Rhys is going to get carried away with the recognition, instead he is more concerned with how it can help other bands from his homeland.

“It’s a huge compliment if someone listens to your record and enjoys it,” he said.

“But there is no point worrying about winning.

It’s just nice to get nominated.

“It’s the first time (this award) has happened so it could be good in the future for bands that get recognition in Wales, but maybe don’t get heard about outside. It could be a useful thing in the future.”

Though a success on his own, Rhys is not ruling out recording again with the Super Furries, which will be music to the ears of their fans.

“We have released nine albums and we are kind of letting people catch up with our back catalogue,” he says. “At some point we will make a tenth album. But we have been quite hyperactive for the past 15 years or so, so we are taking it easy for a bit.

“It’s been very enjoyable trying different things out and bringing up my kids. When our batteries are recharged we will go for the tenth album.”

• Gruff Rhys appears at the Crypt in Middlesbrough on Sunday