Ten years is a long life span for any group, but even more for an act making music at fashion’s bleeding edge.
It’s perhaps against the odds then that, a decade on, Glasgow guitar band Franz Ferdinand are still very much alive and kicking. And arguably, on new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, they’re sounding sharper and more on point than ever before.
The band were surprise guests at this year’s AIM Awards 2013 and raced loudly through a number of cuts from their latest record (and first since 2009’s Tonight: Franz Ferdinand).
We were at the event last night and managed to grab Alex for five minutes for a quick chat on songwriting and how it feels to have been in the band for ten years.
How has the songwriting developed on this latest album? Was it an easy album to make?
It wasn’t too hard to write. Once we got together and said we were gonna make a record and knew the reasons why we wanted to make it, the rest of it was just work. But it was enjoyable. Easy is the wrong word but it was definitely enjoyable and probably the most enjoyable of all the ones we’ve done so far.
It was mainly because we completely removed ourselves from the public eye and it felt like we were working to our own agenda. We were doing things our way.
Has does it feel to have been together for ten years?
It’s different for different bands. At some points, some bands implode. But we sat down with each other and worked out everything that needed to be worked out. And I think at the heart of any good band is a set of good friendships. There certainly is with us. We were all pals before we were in a band together. If that bond is strong, then making the music is a joy. Sort that stuff out and the rest of it takes care of itself.
What’s your favourite song on the new album?
The one I enjoy most is Stand on the Horizon. It starts off delicately then goes in a few different directions. It never repeats itself and is a very uplifting song, which is what I want the music to do at the moment. To acknowledge the dark moments, then pull you out of them.
What’s it like playing live again?
It’s great, we’re totally loving it. It’s wonderful to have a new record out and be performing it.
What’s it like been playing at the AIM Awards tonight?
It’s obviously a different feeling. It's a bunch of people who aren’t quite drunk enough, sitting down finishing off the scraps of their dinners. It’s not really a rock n roll show but there are a lot of people here who I like and have a lot of respect for. It was good to play here.
What are your thoughts on the AIM awards?
Great - it’s been three years now? The independent music industry has had such a massive nurturing impact on talent that’s come out of Britain which has affected the rest of the world. It’s also had an impact on the major labels as well as they nick all the best stuff from the independent music world.
It’s great to recognise it and good luck to them.
Are you looking forward to this weekend’s show at Bestival?
Yeah I am - it’s a nautical theme isn’t it? I haven’t got an outfit yet. I need to work something out, maybe a wooden leg and an eye patch. Or a parrot? I’ve never been before but everyone who I know totally raves about it. It’s supposedly one of the UK’s best festivals so I’m really looking forward to it.
Read the full list of winners from the AIM Awards 2013
It’s perhaps against the odds then that, a decade on, Glasgow guitar band Franz Ferdinand are still very much alive and kicking. And arguably, on new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, they’re sounding sharper and more on point than ever before.
The band were surprise guests at this year’s AIM Awards 2013 and raced loudly through a number of cuts from their latest record (and first since 2009’s Tonight: Franz Ferdinand).
We were at the event last night and managed to grab Alex for five minutes for a quick chat on songwriting and how it feels to have been in the band for ten years.
How has the songwriting developed on this latest album? Was it an easy album to make?
It wasn’t too hard to write. Once we got together and said we were gonna make a record and knew the reasons why we wanted to make it, the rest of it was just work. But it was enjoyable. Easy is the wrong word but it was definitely enjoyable and probably the most enjoyable of all the ones we’ve done so far.
It was mainly because we completely removed ourselves from the public eye and it felt like we were working to our own agenda. We were doing things our way.
Has does it feel to have been together for ten years?
It’s different for different bands. At some points, some bands implode. But we sat down with each other and worked out everything that needed to be worked out. And I think at the heart of any good band is a set of good friendships. There certainly is with us. We were all pals before we were in a band together. If that bond is strong, then making the music is a joy. Sort that stuff out and the rest of it takes care of itself.
What’s your favourite song on the new album?
The one I enjoy most is Stand on the Horizon. It starts off delicately then goes in a few different directions. It never repeats itself and is a very uplifting song, which is what I want the music to do at the moment. To acknowledge the dark moments, then pull you out of them.
What’s it like playing live again?
It’s great, we’re totally loving it. It’s wonderful to have a new record out and be performing it.
What’s it like been playing at the AIM Awards tonight?
It’s obviously a different feeling. It's a bunch of people who aren’t quite drunk enough, sitting down finishing off the scraps of their dinners. It’s not really a rock n roll show but there are a lot of people here who I like and have a lot of respect for. It was good to play here.
What are your thoughts on the AIM awards?
Great - it’s been three years now? The independent music industry has had such a massive nurturing impact on talent that’s come out of Britain which has affected the rest of the world. It’s also had an impact on the major labels as well as they nick all the best stuff from the independent music world.
It’s great to recognise it and good luck to them.
Are you looking forward to this weekend’s show at Bestival?
Yeah I am - it’s a nautical theme isn’t it? I haven’t got an outfit yet. I need to work something out, maybe a wooden leg and an eye patch. Or a parrot? I’ve never been before but everyone who I know totally raves about it. It’s supposedly one of the UK’s best festivals so I’m really looking forward to it.
Read the full list of winners from the AIM Awards 2013
