QR Music Interview - Frank Turner: 'I feel like artists have a duty to change.'

Frank Turner has just begun his world tour in support of his 7th album, ‘Be More Kind’, which is due to be released on 4th May. We sat down to chat to Frank before his show in Belfast on 18th April: his 2,154th show ever.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today. I know you’ve been in Belfast a few times before – is there anything in particular you like to do while you’re here?

When I’m in Belfast I like to hang out with my Belfast friends. One of my best friends and our guitar tech, Cahir, lives in Belfast. Through him, there’s a bunch of other people – like half our house crew today are people we know. We’re friends with bands like Jetplane Landing and La Faro as well. So, we have good connections with Belfast; it’s nice being back here seeing people.

It’s good to have you here! Tonight is my first time seeing you live – for me and other people who haven’t seen you before, what can we expect from a Frank Turner show?

I like my shows to be participatory. I’m not interested in playing a show to passive heads in a crowd. For me, music becomes interesting when it becomes a collective activity with everyone in the room participating. We’ll also be playing songs from all the albums.

 I also always pick the supports for our shows, so I’ll always be supportive of them. This time around particularly; we have Arkells and The Homeless Gospel Choir. They're not only my two favourite musical acts around, but two of the biggest musical influences on my new record, funnily enough. I’ve worked with them on the other side of the pond, so it just made sense to bring them to this side of the Atlantic.

Some of my friends were at the show in Dublin on Sunday, and one of them got picked from the crowd to play guitar with Arkells, which was crazy.

They have that skit they do at shows, it’s cool as hell. One of the things I like about touring with Arkells is that we both have a similar approach to shows. There’s a degree of one-upmanship when we’re on the road with them; which is healthy. There are some bands who don’t want to take good bands out on the road with them, but I like to be challenged. I like standing on the side of the stage watching the band that’s on before me and going “damn, you guys are killing us, we need to up our game.” You know, that’s a good vibe.

I know you’re doing a DJ set tonight after the gig – how did you get into that? Was it just something you picked up?

People started asking! The pay’s okay... It’s a nice way to have an after show... It’s just a lot of fun. I basically play a lot of Rancid and Queen, and everybody jumps up and down. It’s great.

Your 7th album ‘Be More Kind’, is out on 4th May. From the tracks that have already been released, it’s nice to hear that your sound is changing a little.

Thank you! It’s really nice to hear you say that. Some people get really upset about it.

I definitely think it’s a good thing – you need to have some sort of progression, it’s nice to see.

I feel like artists have a duty to change. It’s boring for everybody if you keep doing the same thing over again. I’ve made six records in a certain vein, so it’s time to do something else. It’s funny though, music fans can be very conservative in a way that I find depressing. I love the way people I’ve never met tell me “this just isn’t you, man.” And I’m like “thanks for the insight onto me and my art and personality, complete stranger.”

But, we still play the old material, I’m not removing any records from anyone’s record collection. I’m the same person, but I change as time goes by, everybody does. It would be ridiculous for me to travel around the world every year and not come back with new experiences or ideas; that would make me a moron. But I’m excited about the new music; the only thing that really matters is that I feel confident and made the best record that I could.

Were there any bands you were listening to that inspired the new album?

Arkells were a big influence. They make really intelligent pop music which I think is bold and awesome. It got me thinking in a slightly different way. I also read a book called ‘Rip it Up and Start Again’ which is a history of the post-punk movement. It was interesting, especially looking at the Sheffield scene with bands like The Human League. None of my stuff sounds like The Human League, but it was the methodology; their approach towards making music that was inspiring. So yeah, all of that combined to have a big influence I think.

Is there a song on the new album that you’re excited about people hearing or about playing live?

I was nervous about releasing ‘Make America Great Again.’ People seem to be more annoyed at the fact there are synthesisers on the song than anything about the message, which is hilarious to me.

There’s a track called ‘Common Ground’ that is the most musically progressive thing on the album. I’ll be interested to see what people think of that. But it’s funny, I’ve long had a taste in electronic/electronica. I’m sure there will be people who will declare this is a sort of betrayal of who I am, but I could play them records I made and didn’t release when I was 19 that sound like this.

With regards to ‘Make America Great Again’, a lot of your music seems to look at social and political issues. Do you think that music is an important way to protest such issues?

It can be. Something I’m wary of is making sweeping statements about what somebody should or shouldn’t do with their art – it’s none of my business. What is my business is what I choose to do with my art and the short answer is – whatever the damn well I please! That’s my right as an artist.

I don’t think art changes the world in and of itself, people who get over-excited about that are kidding themselves. Bob Dylan didn’t cause the civil rights movement. I think that’s very disrespectful to the people who did, and ignorant of the historical forces behind it. What Bob Dylan did was soundtrack some aspects of the civil rights movement, and that’s valid and worthwhile. I think music changes individuals and history is a sort of conglomerate individual, so I guess there’s something in it.

This new album, it’s not wholly about politics – it’s more about the way individuals behave in a political context. My problem is that in social media we have built a way of dehumanising our political opponents. It doesn’t take a historian to tell you that when people start dehumanising their opponents, bad things tend to happen quite quickly. We need to be nicer to each other, we need to be more...kind, perhaps. There we go, what a salesman!

I saw as well that you’re running a festival next month in Camden called ‘Lost Evenings.’ At Queen’s Radio we’re passionate about local music and gigs; so, I was just wondering how did you come to the idea of running this festival?

Wolf Alice are good friends of mine and I got to see them play at a festival in London. They did four nights at The Forum with different support acts each night. I thought it was an interesting approach. I then got talking to the people at The Roundhouse. We did it last year as an experiment and contrary to popular belief, it went well. It sold out this year before we got around to announcing much – which makes me feel kind of popular. But it’s a cool way for me to showcase bands that I like and think deserve support.

In talking of your connection to Wolf Alice – how do you think the music scene in London impacts your music?

I’m probably the wrong person to ask. London has always been a weird place to talk about a local scene, because everyone moves to London to “make it.” Top tip: don’t do that; and I say that as somebody who did it in Million Dead, and it didn’t work. I’ve been a bit wary of ‘scenes’, but I think there’s a scene forming around Xtra Mile Recordings, which is very cool. I enjoy that, but it’s not a London thing.

There’s a local band we’ve spoken to called Brand New Friend, who have just recently been signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, so it’s cool to see that it’s so inclusive and supportive of local musicians.

Brand New Friend are heading to the show tonight! I don’t think we've met yet, but I think they’re great and I’m excited about them being a part of the Xtra Mile family.

So, I have one more question. I co-host a radio show about memes on QR, so I need to ask: what’s your opinion on memes?

I think they’re an interesting piece of social history. This is probably not the sort of answer you’re looking for...

Honestly, I have no expectations with this question.

Okay great, well the meme thing comes from Richard Dawkins. I think what’s happening now goes a lot beyond his view. They change so quickly; I’m actively trying to spend less time on Twitter and Facebook. I’m trying to read more books, and I’m not quite sure on how memes fit into that; but they can be fun.

 You can catch Frank on his extensive 'Be More Kind' world tour, full details of shows can be found here.

If you're interested in listening to what music inspires Frank on the road, you can check out his tour playlist, 'One Foot Before the Other' on Spotify.

By Jane Corscadden