Interview: Frank Turner

Since going solo in 2005, Frank Turner has released six studio albums, toured arenas and won hundreds of thousands of fans with songs that range from riotously upbeat to confessional and thought provoking. Frank told NRMB about songwriting, the industry and what the future holds…

Dominic Penna: How would you say that your songwriting process tends to work?

Frank Turner: There isn't really a set pattern for me, at least not in the beginning. I sort of collect snippets of ideas, lyrical and musical, and try fitting them together. The best stuff is when both come at the same time but that's rare. Once I have a rough draft I go through a long, long editing process, fine-tuning, working on arrangements with the band (if appropriate) and so on.

DP: Out of all the songs that you’ve written, do you have any particular favourites or tunes that you’re most proud of?

FT: It's hard for me to choose really; if a song makes it all the way to being released, then it has to have something about it that I like a lot. Having said that, well, I'm very proud of ‘Prufrock’ (felt like the first proper tune I wrote as a solo artist); ‘Broken Piano’; ‘Get Better’…stuff like that.

DP: You’ve now played over 1,900 shows, either solo or with The Sleeping Souls. What would you say are the secrets to your well-deserved success as a live act?

FT: Practice makes (close to) perfect.

DP: This summer will see your record-breaking tenth appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivals. Why are the festivals particularly special for you?

FT: I grew up going to Reading Festival as a kid, Million Dead played both – that was kind of our career highlight – and the festivals have been very supportive to me over time, pushing my solo career forward. They're special places to me.

DP: What do you feel is needed more in the music industry? And what would you like to see less of?

FT: More honesty, less bullshit.

DP: Is there any advice you can offer to up-and-coming singer-songwriters trying to make it in the scene?

FT: Be your own harshest critic, and work every hour in the day.

DP: Finally, where would you like to be in the next few years in terms of your aspirations?

FT: I’d like to be doing something surprising, artistically adventurous. I’m working on that right now actually.

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