Rocking Back to the Roots With The Kooks
"Confidence Restored in Our Ranks"
In a candid chat with ntv.de, The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard talks about their reconnection with their roots, their wild nights with Oasis star Liam Gallagher, and more.
Back to Basics: The Kooks' latest album, "Never Know", embraces the raw, handcrafted sound of their debut. So, was this a conscious decision or did it just happen naturally?
Pritchard reveals that it was a quest to reconnect with the musical identity he had lost touch with. He shares an anecdote about a transformative moment on stage, where the crowd's emotional response to an old song made him yearn to create more music like it. According to Pritchard, the inspiration for the album came from revisiting his roots, recapturing the essence of vintage artists such as The Police, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly[1].
Growing Through Transformation: Pritchard admits that over the years, he had experimented with different songwriters and producers. However, he eventually realized that he had strayed too far from his authentic self. By working independently in his basement, Pritchard created an album that felt like a debut album, with the same heartfelt spirit that propelled the band to fame almost two decades ago[1].
Why Debut Albums Shine: Pritchard attributes the striking quality of debut albums to several factors, including the lack of expectations and the spontaneous creation process. Additionally, working within limited resources forces bands to breezily try out new ideas, fostering a unique, unfiltered sound.
Pritchard's insights showcase the value he places on authenticity and originality. By channeling the same raw energy and creativity found in debut albums, he sought to rekindle the spark that had initially ignited the band's success[1][2].
Amazon.de Offer: Did Pritchard sense that fans would appreciate a return to the band's roots?
Pritchard acknowledges that after nearly 20 years in the industry, it was time to give back to the audience. Although the album isn't a direct mirror of the past, it focuses on authenticity and the classic sound that defines The Kooks[1].
Collaboration and Female Vocalists: To enrich the sound, Pritchard also invited female vocalists to collaborate on the album, resulting in a warmer, softer tone reminiscent of the band's earlier days[1].
Timing and Fatherhood: The timing of The Kooks' new direction wasn't random. Pritchard says he wanted to counterbalance the negativity of current times with something uplifting, serving as an escape from reality[1]. Becoming a father inspired Pritchard to approach things with greater joy, focusing on the positive aspects of life[3].
Reflecting on the Past: Pritchard's father passed away when he was three, yet music served as a powerful connection to him. The birth of his own first son triggered deep emotions, enabling Pritchard to understand the connection between them for the first time and to rediscover the warmth and love found in his music[3].
The Future: With "Never Know", The Kooks have refocused on their origins. While Pritchard remains open to future collaborations, he is content with the band's newfound confidence and determination to maintain their authentic sound[1].
Past Rivalries: According to Pritchard, there was a competitive spirit among indie bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, and The Kooks. However, he emphasizes that this rivalry was largely fueled by the press and not by genuine animosity between the bands[2].
Wild Nights with Oasis: Pritchard shares some wild stories about his encounters with Liam Gallagher, such as drinking and causing chaos together. Despite Gallagher's initially negative reaction to The Kooks covering "All That She Wants", the two bands ended up touring together[2].
A Night to Remember: One of Pritchard's wildest tales involves a meeting with Liam Gallagher at London's Soho House. After Gallagher berated The Kooks for "doing pop shit", he threw a glass of wine at them and stormed out[2]. Despite the altercation, Pritchard was grateful for the opportunity to later tour with Oasis.
Imposter Syndrome and the Glamorous Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle: Pritchard admits to grappling with imposter syndrome in the early days. It wasn't until he got older that he started to embrace his role as a rockstar and learn from the industry veterans, who were generally more humble than their successors[2].
Regrettable Lyrics: Pritchard confesses to writing some "pretty weird lyrics" in the past, but he finds humor in the functioning of songwriting as a feeling-driven process rather than an intellectual one. Despite this, he wouldn't write some of the more outrageous lyrics again[2].
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft regulation regarding the authentic and original music produced by The Kooks.
- Luke Pritchard, frontman of The Kooks, listened to vintage artists such as The Police, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly while working independently on their latest album.
- Maybe the collaboration with female vocalists on The Kooks' latest album was a way for Pritchard to recapture the warmer, softer tone reminiscent of the band's earlier days.
- In the past, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys, and The Strokes might have had a competitive spirit, but Pritchard emphasizes that this rivalry was largely fueled by the press and not by genuine animosity between the bands.
