Music: Frank Turner
From frontman of Million Dead to the 2012 Olympics, it’s been quite a journey for Frank Turner, as he tells Jeff Hemmings
One of the biggest suprises the Olympic opening ceremony threw up was Frank Turner’s appearance. Performing atop one of the grass-covered hills, it was a justified part of what was seen almost universally as a great spectacle. “[Danny Boyle is) a disarmingly genuine uber-fan of what I do,” says Frank, who must have thought about being accused of selling out, particularly as one of the songs he performed contains the line: ‘Come ye, come ye, to soulless corporate circus tops’. “I don’t think the Olympics was any more or less ‘corporate’ than playing Reading Festival, or indeed any venue that sells alcohol. In fact, probably less so, as we didn’t get paid…”
Paradoxically, this ‘gig’ has given Turner a boost that perhaps no other one-off opportunity could have. His gig at the Corn Exchange has been upgraded to the Concert Hall, a continuation of the upward trajectory that saw him start out as a solo acoustic artist back in 2005 following the demise of Million Dead), playing such venues as the Globe pub in Brighton. “I look back on the early days fondly, of course, whilst always remembering the rose-tinted nature of nostalgia’s spectacles.”
Primarily an acoustic musician, performing solo or with a band (in this case The Sleeping Souls), Turner’s potent lyricism, mixing socio-polical themes within a confessional nature, and strident rhythm work brings in influences such as Billy Bragg and The Levellers. Very prolific, he is about to release his fifth album.
“I’m pretty excited about it. Musically I think it sounds a little bigger, more expansive that previous efforts. Lyrically it’s much more personal and raw than things I’ve done in the past – to the extent it’s actually making me a little nervous [laughs].”
The Olympic opening ceremony was very much telling the world about Britain. “I think it means a fair amount [being British]… I get pretty bored of people telling me I don’t have a culture, or that it’s an inherently bad thing.”
And his fiercely independent nature, despite his success, still shines through. “At the end of the day, I’m on an independent label. I still do everything myself, I still answer my own emails, I still tour my arse off, and I haven’t changed anything about what I do.”
Frank Turner (supported by Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun and Tim Barry), Wednesday 28 November, Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 7pm, £18
