Perhaps a fan on Youtube said it best: “Frank Turner is the best friend you never had.” Indeed, the folk/punk troubadour remains one of the most down-to-earth men in music and an artist whose honest and uncompromising songwriting has resonated with people from all walks of life.
Ahead of his special 1000th gig at Strummerville Spring Sessions, we caught up with him for a chat.
Reaching 1000 gigs in no mean feat by anyone’s standards, let alone by someone still in their 20s. Rewind the clock and tell us about the first one.
“The first solo show I did, I was still in Million Dead. The guys at Small Town America Records were putting on a charity all-dayer at 93 Feet East and asked me if I wanted to play a solo slot, and I said yes. I remember being nervous as hell, and the set was mostly covers because I hadn’t written too many songs of my own then (and wasn’t really planning to). It’s funny to think that it’s now become my livelihood, in a way.”
Has there been one gig that stands out over the 998 others?
“Ha! It’d be impossible to choose one! I’m lucky to say there have been many awesome shows. Things like playing Wembley Stadium stick out in the mind, obviously, but then some of my favourite shows have been in bedrooms and small bars.”
How did you first become involved with Strummerville?
“Through friends, really. Jay (Beans On Toast) is an old compadre, and was actually pretty instrumental in persuading me to pursue this course in music after my band broke up. Hanging with him and the Nambucca crew back in the day, I just crossed paths with the Strummerville camp and made friends.”
Did you ever meet Joe Strummer?
“I did not, alas, which is a shame. I’m a fan, of course.”
Who are you looking forward to checking out at Spring Sessions?
“There are a whole load of bands playing, and I’m not sure I’ve seen any of them live before (tour takes me away from the scene these days, haha). I’ve heard great things about the Barker Band.”
You could probably count the Eton College educated punk musicians on one hand. What was the tipping point for you in the early days? Did you ever feel at odds with your surroundings during your school years?
“Very much so. I was there on an academic scholarship, which meant that socially I was kind of a fish out of water right from the get-go. When I encountered punk rock, aged about 13 or 14 or so, it made a massive amount of sense to me — the rage, the defiance, the rebelliousness, it gave me a lot of help in dealing with the conflicts of my surroundings.”
‘England Keep My Bones’ is due to drop on June 6. Tell us about the album’s creation: how did the writing process go this time around? What was inspiring or affecting you that fuelled the project?
“The album was written on the road, as ever, although this time around I was generally out with the guys in my band, which was great — we had time to really work on the arrangements for the songs this time round, rather than just throwing everything together! We also got to demo the record in El Paso with my friend Jim Ward, which helped a lot. The record is kind of about England, and also about death and what to do about it — but I don’t think of themes and write towards them, they just become apparent after I’m done.”
You’ll be supporting the LP release with an 18-date UK tour throughout May. What’s on the horizon for the second half of 2011?
“I’m playing every goddamn festival in Europe (it feels like!) and then I’ll be in the USA for a while, but at the end of the year I’ll be back for a massive UK and European tour, with some very special guests as well, I can’t wait to announce it!”
New album ‘England Keep My Bones’ out 6th June on Xtra Mile Recordings
Download Frank Turner’s track ‘I Am Disappeared’ from here
Here is a recent interview by Glasgow PodcART
Strummerville is not only one of the more inspiring things to happen in music, ultimately its is essential. The friends and family members of Joe Strummer set up Strummerville after his passing. A registered charity aims to reflect Joe Strummers magnificent and standout contribution to music. They offer support, resources and performance opportunities to artists who would not usually have access. This project has been a phenomenal success thus far and is going from strength to strength.
Halina was lucky enough to catch up with Trish Whelan who runs Strummerville and has been a strong part of the music industry for a number of years.
Halina: How did Strummerville begin and what is it you aim to do for musicians?
Trish: We started after Joe passed away; people began to send money and wanted to keep his legacy alive so this was the best way. We help to create opportunities for musicians by helping with recording and advice. It is to help them get their music out there and giving them a chance.
H: Joe Strummer was known for his open minded and embracing attitude. Do you feel that Strummerville is carrying on his ethos on a bigger scale?
T: Absolutely! We do not judge anyone nor are we political. We just want to help everyone how we can and as much as we can.
H: You have set up rehearsal rooms in Belfast and London. Are there any plans for other cities and indeed other countries?
T: We opened out first official Strummerville resource at the newly refurbished Roundhouse in Chalk Farm in 2006, and we have actually just opened another one in London. We are looking to open a further recording/rehearsal space in Bridgwater, Somerset, a series of Strummerville Showcase nights giving unsigned musicians a chance to highlight their work, as well as a continuing presence at Glastonbury Festival. We have also set up by helping Africans namely in Malawi and set up a sister school.
H: Glasgow PodcART are particularly aimed at the unsigned like yourselves. Are there any bands that you would recommend to our audience and us?
T: There are absolutely loads of DIY bands! Dan Smith being one you can find him at www.myspace.com/dansmithuk he is amazing. Also another top act to check out is Beans On Toast (www.myspace.com/sexdrugspolitics) they are a top act!
H: We have felt a shift in music of late, people are becoming more independent and innovative when releasing and exposing their music. Do you feel that this has helped Strummerville relate to more people?
T: Yes, people are a lot more open now and the treasure chest of the music industry has unlocked. It has empowered people to get more out there and there is more of a punk ethos now. I am a great believer in the good getting through.
H: Would you ever consider corporate sponsorship or is Strummerville always going to be a charity?
T: I think we would have to take a view on who was offering what. Also, what they would want in return, if it were for a good cause you cannot rule out anything like that. You have to think about who is going to benefit and as long as it has the same purpose and is for the good of everyone.
H: Are there any plans to host an event of your own i.e. a concert or curate a festival or stage?
T: Oh my God, it’s non-stop! This years Glastonbury was the biggest open we have done yet! We are always showcasing and have masses of great things happening with the likes of Billy Bragg and other brilliant musicians who really care about what is happening.
H: For unsigned bands that feel as though they have nowhere to seek help or feel that they have hit a dead end do you have a message?
T: There is no such thing as a dead end or no help. The main thing in all of this is you have to keep playing and remain true to yourself. The good will always shine through.
Strummerville have been a huge inspiration to Glasgow PodcART and will continue to do so. It is the idea that the passionate will always prevail and that instead of creating barriers and having blinkers on you embrace everything and everyone. It is with music that we do this and it comes from our hearts, our souls and our very beings. Joe Strummer was a man that was all of this and Strummerville are not only keeping his dream alive but also are creating a beatific reality from it.
Halina Rifai
ABOUT GLASGOW PODCART
Weekly podcasts playing music from both signed and unsigned artists and lots, lots more. The main idea behind the podcast being that we don’t want to create some pretentious ‘Indie’ site and would rather expose as much Scottish talent as possible. No matter what style, what size or how established, we believe everyone deserves a platform to showcase their work. Please visit their website for more information: http://www.glasgowpodcart.com
