Are your angsty punk rock tastes taking a mellow turn? Perhaps you have a lust for bitter singer-songwriters or feel the need for some folk-rock reprieve? Whatever the case may be—you’ll be right at home this coming Thursday when Frank Turner and company perform at The Media Club in Vancouver.

Northcote and Dave Hause of The Loved Ones have a special headliner on their final Canadian tour date. Xtra-Mile/Epitaph recording artist Frank Turner will make his only Canadian stop for a well rounded, very intimate club show before he heads to Coachella and tours Australia.

Frank Turner has released three full-length records, including 2009’s full-band effort, Poetry of The Deed. His powerful live show is also captured on the new To The Road DVD (live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London), released on March 22, 2010 in the UK.

“Sons of Liberty” from To The Road

(courtesy of Xtra Mile/Epitaph)

I gave Frank a shout while he was in Paris, France this past Friday to speak to him about the upcoming show, his musical direction and what he’s been up to since the last time we spoke. A few words have been omitted due to the quality of the overseas, cell phone-delay recording that had its challenges.

Frank: Hello?

Steve: Bonjour, Frank.

Frank: Bonjour… ça va.

Steve: Ah, oui. C’est Steve Roland de Vancouver.

Frank: Oh, hey man, how are you doin’?

Steve: Hey. I thought I might try some French on you, assuming maybe you’ve picked some up out there…

Frank: I speak a little bit of French, but this time in the morning it’s not so good. But what time is it with you right now?

Steve: It’s 2:30 in the morning

Frank: Oh, wow! Well, thank you for making the time to call. I have a ton of interviews today. It’s a little later [here] but I just got up, in Paris.

Steve: Well, you’re very welcome. The last time we spoke you were opening up for The Gaslight Anthem at the Commodore Ballroom. Not to worry though, this time I’m not jotting down all of your answers on a little pad of paper…

Frank: [Laughs] Well, either way it was a pleasure to speak to you.

Steve: It seems that you’ve had a rather rigorous but successful tour since, correct?

Frank: Yes, I’ve been pretty well on the road since I saw you last—many different countries. But yeah, it’s been going very well.

Steve: I understand you’ll be appearing once again at the Reading/Leeds festivals though also Hurricane & Southside in Germany [Acknowledged], down to California next week for Coachella and also a solo stint at Bonnaroo in Tennessee.

Frank: Yes, that’s right. I’m keeping myself busy. [Laughs]

Steve: Yeah, it sounds like it. Can you speak on the merits or challenges that playing large festivals solo versus with your full band might include?

Frank: Well, playing festivals: festivals are cool because they’re a really good way of making new fans either way, you know, because people kind of like to take a chance on coming to see you play which they may not risk for a headlining show type of thing.

Festivals are kinda far from the chaos and everything as well. It can be a little stressful sometimes when you find yourself trying to setup an entire gig that you’d normally have a few hours and the sound check to set it up, then trying to fit it in about fifteen minutes.

Playing solo, versus playing in a band: I mean, I’m comfortable playing both. I’m going to be playing with my band at Coachella, which is a new thing for us this year, which is going to be really fun. But yeah, I feel I can hold my own, playing solo as well.

“The Ballad of Me and My Friends” live at Reading 2009

(courtesy of Xtra Mile/Epitaph)

Steve: And what can we expect when you hit The Media Club on Thursday? Full band or solo?

Frank: That’s going to be a solo show actually. It’s very complicated and boring to explain why. I’m actually really looking forward to it. [Laughs] With all the respect in the world towards my band, it’s really nice for me to change it up a bit. It always kinds keeps me on my toes. We’ve been doing full band shows, constantly since Germany right now, so I’m quite looking forward to going out there and doing a show of my own and going back to that format again. I’m really looking forward to going back to Vancouver as well. I had a great time the last time I was there. Although I still have a nasty scar on my knee from the last time I was in Vancouver. From when I fell over, in the street when I was really fucking drunk; I ripped my knee up.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 OF THE INTERVIEW, THIS WEEK @ STEAMROLLER

When: April 15, 2010 / 8:00pm
Where: The Media Club, Vancouver, B.C
How: $15 + s/c at Zulu Records, Highlife and charge via TicketMaster

It’s gonna be packed. It’s gonna be great. Don’t be late.

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