Here’s a sentence we never thought we’d write: Frank Turner‘s new album No Man’s Land is a thirteen-track odyssey about twelve oft-forgotten historical women (and his Mum).
The album’s out tomorrow, so we gave Frank a call to talk about the stories behind the album, how fucked the world is at this precise moment in time, and more.
Why did you decide that now was the right time to not do a ‘regular’ Frank Turner album?
‘I try to switch up what I do with every album. I think artists have a duty to evolve and change and I have no interest in repeating myself. And this is my eighth studio album – so, if ever there was a time to branch out, it might be now!
How much of a history buff are you, then?
‘Well, I studied History at school and university, and I pretty much read exclusively history books (and I read *a lot*), and most of my friends are pretty bored of me talking about it all the time. So quite buffy, then.
Of all the women whose stories are highlighted on your new album, was there any one who made a particular impression on you?
‘I mean, in some ways, they all did, hence the songs. The story of Huda Sha’arawi was completely unknown to me; Dora Hand‘s story is just bonkers; and I felt like Nica Rothschild was a wonderful independent spirit, someone I can identify with for sure.
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‘No Man’s Land’ is probably the closest thing you’ve ever made to a folk album. Was this deliberate?
‘Not specifically, though I was interested in going down a more organic sonic route after all the experimentation and electronics on [my last album] Be More Kind. It was fun to play with a more rootsy set of arrangements, and in particular with some of the incredible musicians we had in the studio.
You’ve also produced accompanying podcasts for each track from the record: how important is it for people to listen to the podcasts alongside the album?
‘I think it’s important to state that I’m a songwriter first and foremost, and I’d like the songs to stand up on their own without anyone having to listen to the podcast if they don’t want to. That said, the podcast has been a blast to make, a new challenge for me, and I’ve learned a lot. I wanted to pay the people I’m writing about the respect due to them. I guess ideally people could listen to the song, then the podcast, then the song again? Ha, something like that – but, it’s their choice.
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If you could put one more track on the album, who would it be about and why?
‘I still have a long list of people I wanted to write about and didn’t get around to, or couldn’t find my way into their story as a songwriter in a way that worked for me. Amelia Earhart lived an insane life, and I spent a long time trying to work that one out, but it never quite came together.
Is the world now More Fucked or Less Fucked than it was this time last year?
‘I think it depends what sort of historical timescale you’re talking about. Taking the broad view, the world is doing pretty well right now in terms of wealth, child mortality, disease and so on, and not enough people talk about that. In the much shorter term, I’m pretty pessimistic about politics in both the UK and the USA, but we’ll see.
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What are you reading right now?
‘Right now I’m reading “Without You, There Is No Us” by Suki Kim. It’s a memoir of her time as a teacher in Noth Korea: it’s utterly gripping and fascinating.
Who have you been listening to lately?
‘Right now I’m listening to the last Radiohead record, which I realised I never got around to (it’s great). More broadly, I’ve been listening to a lot of Hobo Johnson, Soeur, War On Women, stuff like that.
What’s next for you?
‘The main thing for me is that I’m getting married in a few weeks’ time, which is exciting. Beyond that, more touring!
