Back with a new album and UK tour, Christian Darby caught up with Miles Kane as he prepares to play Newcastle University later this month.
You’ve just released your new album, ‘Change the Show’, which was heavily influenced by Motown and Northern Soul. Tell us a bit more about that and the other influences that came together to create this record…
It’s just something that I’ve always loved, to be honest. Growing up as a kid in my mum’s and my nan’s house, that was the music they liked and was the soundtrack to my upbringing, mixed in with the other stuff such as The Beatles, T-Rex, Bowie etc. The Four Tops, The Temptations and Diana Ross were the soundtracks to my life. If I have a bit of a party in the house, or I’m getting ready, that’s my go-to. I’ve always hinted at this in other tunes, but I tend to go on the more glam-rock kind of tip. But on this one, it just felt natural, and the songs just had that kind of feel to it – it just felt right. I wanted the record to be quite cohesive and tell a story and I just tried to let the songs take the lead.
It’s brilliant how you can combine a range of genres that all come together to create a new piece of music…
Yeah, exactly. I do have many sides to my personality. There is kind of like a flamboyant side where I can wear makeup and jumpsuits, then a sensitive, quiet side. These different characters that you portray over the years, it’s all part of you, and I don’t want to be put in one box. Whatever album I’ve done, that’s me at that time. I’m not forcing it – I just try and let it take me. I can want to look like a WWE wrestler or like an old Frank Sinatra – that’s my two juxtapositions, I guess.
You say you can’t force it, so how do you work best when writing new music? What’s your songwriting process? And how did each new track form?
A lot of them generally do start quite simply. For example, you’re sitting watching TV, you’ve just had your dinner and you pick up the acoustic and just start a little verse or whatever it may be, and you save it on your phone. If I go in the studio, especially with Jamie [Biles] who I did most of this album with, we would sort of call them ‘Curry Bloats’. I’d be bloated after dinner, songwriting, and we’d be like: ‘Have you got any curry bloat notes?’ There would be loads and we would pick from them. Generally, the start of each thing would come from a little voice note. It’s fascinating how a song can grow.
Which track from your new album are you most looking forward to playing live on your upcoming UK tour?
I think the one I’m most looking forward to playing live is a song called ‘Never Get Tired of Dancing’ because it’s got an amazing riff and it’s an amazing rock ‘n’ roll song – it gets me to puff my chest out and feel really up for it.
How excited are you to be playing back up in Newcastle? And what can fans expect?
I can’t wait! I haven’t gigged for years so it slightly feels overwhelming. Is anyone going to be there? I’m slightly terrified by the prospect. It’s been so long, it’s a weird feeling. I’ve been to Newcastle every year of my life basically to do gigs over the last 15 years or whatever, and it’s always been amazing to me. I’m just itching for it and to give people the best night of their life. The set-list is going to be rocking and the band are going to be rocking. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned; I want to blow your socks off and aim for it to be the best gig you see this year.
Miles Kane plays Newcastle University on Thursday 19th May.
Tickets, priced at £24.75 in advance, are available from ticketmaster.co.uk.
Link to article: https://nevolume.co.uk/music/interviews/miles-kane-newcastle-uni/
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