The Guide chats to Frank Turner
Solomon Radley • Published 10 Nov 2012 06:30
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Following his biggest tour of the US to date and having just recorded his fifth studio album in California, Frank Turner has landed back in England to begin a homecoming tour of the UK. Ahead of his sold-out headline show in Reading, he told Solomon Radley about the year so far.
"We are done with tracking [the album]. I'm now back in the UK to tour, while Rich Costey, the producer, gets on with mixing. It's something I'm happy for him to do without me breathing down his neck - he's the expert. I'm definitely a layman on that side of things," he said, adding that when the album is released in April 2013, fans can look forward to hearing a collection of songs which are more 'Frank Turner' than ever.
"I suppose I still feel like I'm in the zone as far as that goes," he said. "Obviously the things I've listened to in the last couple of years have an impact, but there hasn't been one or a few overbearing influences. I feel like I've been drawing on all parts of my music taste and making something more my own - which is the idea, really!"
Frank recently described himself as writing 'beer drinking' music, and he recently created his very own beer, Believe, with Signature Brew.
"It tastes great, which is not too surprising," he revealed. "I spent an evening designing it…well, getting drunk with a brewer. It's a fun little thing to have. I'm pretty sure the good folks at Signature Brew are having it stocked at venues and nearby bars along the tour."
Frank and his band, The Sleeping Souls, will be returning to play a sold-out gig at Reading's Hexagon on Thursday, November 15, and although he has performed at every Reading Festival for the past six years, it's been years since he played an indoor show here. "It's been a while since I played in Reading, not at the festival, actually!" Frank agreed. "I opened for The Holloways there back in 2007, so it's nice to be coming through for my own headline show."
Accompanying him on the tour are friends and Xtra Mile label mates, Jim Lockey and Tim Barry. "Tim is an old touring buddy - we have travelled together in the States and Australia," explained Frank. "He's also someone I look up to enormously, both in his solo work and his band, Avail. I've been wanting to bring him to the UK for a long time, and I'm glad it's finally working out. Jim Lockey is opening the shows, he's also a friend, and, in my humble opinion, the best new singer/songwriter in the UK right now."
This article appeared in Bracknell News 08 Nov 12
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