British folk-punk poet in Slovenia for the first time! Frank Turner is a unique phenomenon of today’s British music scene: former vocalist of the post-hardcore band Million Dead has managed to transfer the boldness into singer-songwriter tracks, provide them with a lively folk-punk touch and win over diverse crowds of rock/pop/indie/punk/hardcore music fans. He impressed
British folk-punk poet in Slovenia for the first time! Frank Turner is a unique phenomenon of today’s British music scene: former vocalist of the post-hardcore band Million Dead has managed to transfer the boldness into singer-songwriter tracks, provide them with a lively folk-punk touch and win over diverse crowds of rock/pop/indie/punk/hardcore music fans. He impressed the audiences both at last year’s Olympic Games opening and in the sold-out Wembley Arena, where he was supported by Billy Bragg, Beans On Toasts and Dan Le Sac & The Scroobious Pip. Coming to Kino Šiška, he is being carried on the wings of his new album Tape Deck Heart.
If in 2012 Frank was still supporting and opening gigs for Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, the roles have switched after the release of his new album. Now, Flogging Molly are supporting Frank at the British leg of his solo tour.
The recurring theme throughout Tape Deck Heart, Frank Turner’s fifth album, is change. Those who have followed Turner’s career since he went solo in 2005 won’t be surprised. After 1,400 incendiary live shows and four acclaimed albums, last year saw the musician previously known as a punk poet become (whisper it) a sort of pop star. From a fake Glastonbury Tor, Turner performed at the Olympics Opening Ceremony. He headlined Wembley Arena. He sold more than 100,000 copies of his fourth album, England Keep My Bones, which entered the UK charts at No 12 on its release in 2011.
Turner, of course, would never describe himself as a pop star. He prefers the word ‘entertainer’, with its tradition of vaudeville, theatre and music hall. His emergence from the underground he still adores – and still regards himself as part of – was tinged with trepidation. “Insane things have happened since England Keep My Bones came out,” he says. “The success I’ve experienced was entirely unexpected. It made me think about where I started and where I’m heading. It made me wonder if I could continue as a musician with integrity influenced by punk rock while doing arena tours. The answer I concluded is yes, obviously, or I wouldn’t be here.”
Tape Deck Heart was recorded last October in LA, which gave the 31-year-old more cause for concern. “It’s such a cliché – bands reach a certain level of success, go to LA to record an album,” laughs Turner. “I was nervous about recording outside the UK because my music sounds English and I like that, but in fact, it didn’t make any difference. We stayed at the Holiday Inn next door and didn’t finish until dark every day, so I scarcely saw the sun shine.”
The reason for relocating to LA with long-time backing band The Sleeping Souls was producer Rich Costey (Muse, My Chemical Romance and Nine Inch Nails). “Rich has worked on Springsteen and Johnny Cash records. I really love what he’s done with Weezer. If any record fired the spirit of this album it is Pinkerton, which is dark and emotional album with an incredible standard of songwriting. It’s pop with a dark, evil soul – a great combination.”
On Tape Deck Heart, Turner exposes his soul as never before. His most personal album, it is packed with songs he found difficult to record and now worries about releasing in to the world. It’s also the album on which Turner pushed himself hardest and allowed himself to be pushed. The reward is in the rich detail, in unusual turns of phrase you’ll hear once and never forget, in the raw emotion with which Turner tells of a turbulent 12 months.
Main Support: ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD
https://www.facebook.com/andrewjacksonjihad
Opener: DUCKING PUNCHES
