Interview : Frank Turner

Frank Turner is back on the road after well-deserved holidays. The Little Stalkers thought it would be a good idea to meet with a relaxed man before his show at New Slang in Kingston.

The Little Stalkers : Let’s start with how you started in music – you were in a band before, right ?
Frank : Yeah.

TLS : So how did you go from being in a band to become a solo artist ?
Frank : Well, I’ve been playing in bands for a loooong time. I got into music when I was about 11 years old, I got really into Iron Maiden. And they’re still my favourite band !

TLS : Did you see them recently ?
Frank : No, I was in Twickenham – I could hear them, but I wasn’t there. Arf, such an awful day ! Anyway, so I got into that and I started playing in bands around the age of 12. Then I started playing in bands a bit more seriously when I got involved in hard-core. I did that for a long time. The last band I was in was called Million Dead. Million Dead broke up three years ago now, and I decided to show my stuff !

TLS : Coming from hard-core bands, how did you end up doing folk ?
Frank : I’ve always had a slightly broad taste in music. I just got more a lot into it in the last six or seven years. Also, when the band broke up, I didn’t want to form another band, because I was really angry about various things. And being in a hard-core band was a thing I didn’t want to be involved with anymore. So … there are only certain types of music you can play on your own. It kinda made sense to me to start doing that sort of thing. I always liked having a band with me, though. It’s also all obviously specific to what time of my life I’m in : I still listen to hard-core bands but I couldn’t stand being in a hard-core band by now. I’m not pissed off in the right way any more. To my eyes, hard-core music is very genuine in a way. To do hard-core in the way I think it should be done just takes a whole load of energy and a lot of, just kind of being pissed off all the time. And I just don’t really feel like that any more !

TLS : Have you ever been compared to Lightspeed Champion ?
Frank : I vaguely know Dev actually ... I found him on my bed once (laughs)

TLS : I don’t want to know ... Or, maybe I do ! (everyone laughs)

"It’s possible to be an English nationalist without being a racist"

Frank : It was just after a very big party at my house ... Anyway, but it’s okay for me to be compared with him : we’ve got a similar history in a way. Dev is somebody who’s a lot more ... He’s done a very good country-folk record. He also is very efficient in a lot of different styles. I think that’s where the difference is.

TLS : Do you think there’s a comeback of folk, after all these years of brit-pop and then indie ... ?
Frank : Maybe ... But I do my stuff without thinking of that kind of thing, about wether a revival is going on or not. Because it has no barriers. I like to see my friends doing well, like Jamie T or Laura Marling. If they’re successful, then I’m happy.

TLS : Are you aware of sounding very British folk, and not American folk ? Do you see any differences ?
Frank : There are differences in tradition and musicality. I’m English. I’m quite interested in the question of English nationality, and national identity. That’s something I think about a lot. It’s difficult for English people, because, unlike American or Irish nationalism, English nationalism has a history which has been linked with racism : Saint George’s flag, the BNP ... And that’s sad to me, because it’s possible to be an English nationalist without being a racist. I’m interested in my country’s musical traditions and I would like to know more about it.

TLS : Have you ever heard about Roddy Woomble ? He refers a lot to Scottish identity, both in Idlewild and in his solo works ...
Frank : Yeah, I think what he does is great, it’s fantastic. But you see, that’s the thing in this country : the misapprehension about nationalism. I think it’s wonderful to see people celebrating national traditions ... reggae being a quite good example ! But that’s not my traditions. And when it comes to music that I make, I’d like to have my songs sounding more English. Unconsciously so.

"Traditions are useful and interesting because they tie you to something greater than just your own self"

TLS : What would you say to people who think that folk is boring, like, just a guy whining about life, and his acoustic guitar ?
Frank : I’d say that they could f*** o**. I mean, you can wank at stereotypes of any type of music. Electro is just a guy with an annoying computer, etc ... It’s easy to use stereotypes. Wathever. If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it.

TLS : Do you think there’s a future for folk, then ?
Frank : Yeah, I do. Part of the thing about folk is the whole traditional aspect. Traditions are useful and interesting because they tie you to something greater than just your own self. Though I have yet to actually cover and record traditional songs, there’s something I definitely want to move into. Just in terms of the sound and the format of the music that I make ... And it’s very nice to play songs that you know since you were born ...

TLS : Is the sense of humour important for you, in your music ?
Frank : Yeah. Music is just like people : if you can’t laugh about yourself, then it’s awful. People who can’t laugh at themselves just need to get a grip, basically.

TLS : You were on holidays recently, but how is touring is so far ?
Frank : My 500 concerts is coming up, so ... It’s going well. In the U.K I get to play bigger shows so that makes things easier, but going to Europe and elsewhere is good. I played France for two weeks in June. We did the Fête de la Musique and then we went down to Toulouse, Bordeaux ... Makes me think that I have to go back as soon as I can.

"I’d love to do musicals croonie stuff !"

TLS : Anything you’re looking forward to ?
Frank : I don’t know ... I have a feeling that I haven’t made the record I’m capable of yet, in what I’m doing right now. So I guess I’m kinda looking for that.

TLS : And what are your ambitions ?
Frank : Keep making a living out of music until I’m old.

TLS : Any people you’d like to work with ?
Frank : Of f**k yeah ! I’d love to just meet Brian Eno and talk to him.

TLS : Do you have any idea if you’re going to carry on doing folk for the rest of your musical career, or go back in a band some day ?
Frank : I don’t know ! It’s hard to say. I feel at the moment that what I’m doing right now will probably be the centre of what I do, for a long time. I’m talking with people about doing various kind of stuff, but none of them will happen (laughs). Maybe I’ll go to musicals. Or I like stuff like Frank Sinatra or Chet Baker. I’d love to do croonie stuff !

Want to see Frank Turner covering "My Way" ? Catch him somewhere near you; Frank Turner is on tour all over Europe and Great Britain until March 2009.
Tourdates on www.myspace.com/frankturner

CB.


	HOME INTERVIEWS GIG REVIEWS PICTURES 3 MINUTES WITH SNAPPY SNAPS NEW HEARTBEATS LINKS STALK US 2008 © The Little Stalkers		Interview : Frank Turner Frank Turner is back on the road after well-deserved holidays. The Little Stalkers thought it would be a good idea to meet with a relaxed man before his show at New Slang* in Kingston.* The Little Stalkers : Let’s start with how you started in music – you were in a band before, right ? Frank : Yeah. TLS : So how did you go from being in a band to become a solo artist ? Frank : Well, I’ve been playing in bands for a loooong time. I got into music when I was about 11 years old, I got really into Iron Maiden. And they’re still my favourite band ! TLS : Did you see them recently ? Frank : No, I was in Twickenham – I could hear them, but I wasn’t there. Arf, such an awful day ! Anyway, so I got into that and I started playing in bands around the age of 12. Then I started playing in bands a bit more seriously when I got involved in hard-core. I did that for a long time. The last band I was in was called Million Dead. Million Dead broke up three years ago now, and I decided to show my stuff ! TLS : Coming from hard-core bands, how did you end up doing folk ? Frank : I’ve always had a slightly broad taste in music. I just got more a lot into it in the last six or seven years. Also, when the band broke up, I didn’t want to form another band, because I was really angry about various things. And being in a hard-core band was a thing I didn’t want to be involved with anymore. So … there are only certain types of music you can play on your own. It kinda made sense to me to start doing that sort of thing. I always liked having a band with me, though. It’s also all obviously specific to what time of my life I’m in : I still listen to hard-core bands but I couldn’t stand being in a hard-core band by now. I’m not pissed off in the right way any more. To my eyes, hard-core music is very genuine in a way. To do hard-core in the way I think it should be done just takes a whole load of energy and a lot of, just kind of being pissed off all the time. And I just don’t really feel like that any more ! TLS : Have you ever been compared to Lightspeed Champion ? Frank : I vaguely know Dev actually ... I found him on my bed once (laughs) **TLS : I don’t want to know ... Or, maybe I do ! (everyone laughs)** "It’s possible to be an English nationalist without being a racist" Frank : It was just after a very big party at my house ... Anyway, but it’s okay for me to be compared with him : we’ve got a similar history in a way. Dev is somebody who’s a lot more ... He’s done a very good country-folk record. He also is very efficient in a lot of different styles. I think that’s where the difference is. TLS : Do you think there’s a comeback of folk, after all these years of brit-pop and then indie ... ? Frank : Maybe ... But I do my stuff without thinking of that kind of thing, about wether a revival is going on or not. Because it has no barriers. I like to see my friends doing well, like Jamie T or Laura Marling. If they’re successful, then I’m happy. TLS : Are you aware of sounding very British folk, and not American folk ? Do you see any differences ? Frank : There are differences in tradition and musicality. I’m English. I’m quite interested in the question of English nationality, and national identity. That’s something I think about a lot. It’s difficult for English people, because, unlike American or Irish nationalism, English nationalism has a history which has been linked with racism : Saint George’s flag, the BNP ... And that’s sad to me, because it’s possible to be an English nationalist without being a racist. I’m interested in my country’s musical traditions and I would like to know more about it. TLS : Have you ever heard about Roddy Woomble ? He refers a lot to Scottish identity, both in Idlewild and in his solo works ... Frank : Yeah, I think what he does is great, it’s fantastic. But you see, that’s the thing in this country : the misapprehension about nationalism. I think it’s wonderful to see people celebrating national traditions ... reggae being a quite good example ! But that’s not my traditions. And when it comes to music that I make, I’d like to have my songs sounding more English. Unconsciously so. "Traditions are useful and interesting because they tie you to something greater than just your own self" TLS : What would you say to people who think that folk is boring, like, just a guy whining about life, and his acoustic guitar ? Frank : I’d say that they could f* o. I mean, you can wank at stereotypes of any type of music. Electro is just a guy with an annoying computer, etc ... It’s easy to use stereotypes. Wathever. If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it. TLS : Do you think there’s a future for folk, then ? Frank : Yeah, I do. Part of the thing about folk is the whole traditional aspect. Traditions are useful and interesting because they tie you to something greater than just your own self. Though I have yet to actually cover and record traditional songs, there’s something I definitely want to move into. Just in terms of the sound and the format of the music that I make ... And it’s very nice to play songs that you know since you were born ... TLS : Is the sense of humour important for you, in your music ? Frank : Yeah. Music is just like people : if you can’t laugh about yourself, then it’s awful. People who can’t laugh at themselves just need to get a grip, basically. TLS : You were on holidays recently, but how is touring is so far ? Frank : My 500 concerts is coming up, so ... It’s going well. In the U.K I get to play bigger shows so that makes things easier, but going to Europe and elsewhere is good. I played France for two weeks in June. We did the Fête de la Musique and then we went down to Toulouse, Bordeaux ... Makes me think that I have to go back as soon as I can. "I’d love to do musicals croonie stuff !" TLS : Anything you’re looking forward to ? Frank : I don’t know ... I have a feeling that I haven’t made the record I’m capable of yet, in what I’m doing right now. So I guess I’m kinda looking for that. TLS : And what are your ambitions ? Frank : Keep making a living out of music until I’m old. TLS : Any people you’d like to work with ? Frank : Of f*k yeah ! I’d love to just meet Brian Eno and talk to him. TLS* : Do you have any idea if you’re going to carry on doing folk for the rest of your musical career, or go back in a band some day ? Frank : I don’t know ! It’s hard to say. I feel at the moment that what I’m doing right now will probably be the centre of what I do, for a long time. I’m talking with people about doing various kind of stuff, but none of them will happen (laughs). Maybe I’ll go to musicals. Or I like stuff like Frank Sinatra or Chet Baker. I’d love to do croonie stuff ! Want to see Frank Turner covering "My Way" ? Catch him somewhere near you; Frank Turner is on tour all over Europe and Great Britain until March 2009. Tourdates on www.myspace.com/frankturner CB.