Regained Self-Assurance: A Newfound Sense of Confidence
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Rockin' it Back: The Kooks Reclaim Their Roots and Confidence
Hey there, music fans! Let's dive into a captivating interview with the legendary British indie rock band, The Kooks. They're back with a bang, baby!
After bursting onto the scene in 2006 with their debut album, Inside In/Inside Out, The Kooks swiftly became the darlings of the indie scene. With their unique blend of pop, rock, and that signature British coolness, they quickly won a whole generation of hearts. However, over the years, the band, fronted by the charming Luke Pritchard, explored various musical territories— electronic, soulful, poppy and more. Yet, they never quite managed to remotely match the success of their debut.
Until now! With their latest offering, Never Know, The Kooks have returned to their roots— real, raw, handcrafted songs, infectious melodies, a smidgeon of nostalgia. In a captivating chat with ntv.de, Pritchard shared tantalizing tales of wild nights with Oasis' Liam Gallagher, the Kooks' origin stories, obscure rivalries with other indie bands, and the realization that even a song like "Jackie Big Tits" can somehow resonate.
ntv.de: Your new album sees you returning to the roots of your first record. Was this a conscious decision or did it just happen naturally?
Luke Pritchard: Let me explain this clearly: For me, this album was all about creating a musical expression, especially for the fans who've loved our band since the beginning. We've evolved so much over the years, and I felt like I'd lost my musical identity for quite some time. I'd been working with numerous songwriters and producers, and then I had this sorta "ah-ha" moment. It was on stage at a festival, belting out "Ooh La." The crowd was so plugged into the song, and I thought, "This is so simple, why don't I write more like this?"
And did you find an answer to that question?
I'd gotten sucked into this contemporary approach to making music: going into the studio, working directly with producers, big speakers, everything sounding great right off the bat—no band needed. But I wanted to change that. I started checking out my original influences again— The Police, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly—all those classic artists that first influenced us. And within five days, I penned an entire album in my basement, all by myself, jamming out. That's when I thought, "Wow, this is it." I wasn't trying to write a song like "Naive" because it has a gazillions streams. It was more about the feeling. It felt like a debut album, and that's what I wanted to achieve. I spent a lot of time thinking about why debut albums are often so special, why we keep returning to them. And that was the driving force behind this record.
What do you think the reason for that is?
There are several factors at play here. Firstly, at the beginning, there are no expectations from the outside or from oneself. You don't really know what you're doing—you don't overthink, you act on instincts. Secondly, as an artist, you don't have a big wallet at the start—you certainly can't afford expensive studios or long sessions. That's exactly what I wanted to capture this time around. I wanted to recreate the feeling of freedom and spontaneity, without any fancy bells and whistles.
Amazon.de Offer: Did your fans prefer this new direction as well?
Oh, absolutely! After nearly two decades in the biz, I feel it's high time to give something back to our audience. But this isn't just about a return to old songs—it's about authenticity and being true to who we are. When you work with a new producer, the question that often arises is, "What's currently popular?" And then you try to shape the sound accordingly. But at some point, I thought, "Wait a minute, who are we really?" And it was crystal clear: We are Sunshine Rock 'n' Roll, Pop, Rock, and Soul. I wanted to bring that out stronger this time around. I also invited some fabulous female singers into the studio for the first time, which was simply delightful. It gave our songs a warmth and softness that they'd been missing all this time.
Why now for this change of direction?
The current state of affairs had much to do with this shift. I just don't feel like constantly hearing that everything is crappy. I have two small kiddos, and I was like, "I ain't gonna let these precious years with my young family be ruined by constant grumpiness." Of course, there's a lot of crap out there—always has been—but my response was to provide something that allows folks to escape for a moment—a bit of escapism.
Did fatherhood make you nostalgic and cause you to look back on the "good old days"?
Well, yep! Definitely. It triggered something in me—in a positive way. Actually, it was the exact opposite of what you said. It was more about a sense of peace, a sense of stability. A feeling of being needed, taking responsibility. That felt really good. There's a certain connection, especially when my son was the age I lost my father. I had this sudden understanding that we had known each other—even though I had always thought I never truly knew him. That experience, that realization—it was profound. It's exactly that feeling, that understanding, that warmth, and joy that's behind the new album.
Now that you've returned to your original sound: are you planning to stay here or are you open to changes?
I haven't thought too much about the future just yet. I usually just follow what feels right. But it's crucial that we continue to do a lot ourselves. That independence was healthy for us. Producers' roles have evolved quite a bit: they were once more in the background, but now they're often artists in their own right. Many productions today are collaborations on an equal footing. I will definitely do that again, but as a band, it was vital for us to realize: we know what we're doing. We've regained our confidence in ourselves. And perhaps that realization is: just being ourselves and getting better and better—instead of getting too caught up in distractions.
Was there competition or rivalry between you and the Arctic Monkeys, Strokes, and other indie-rock bands in the past?
There was definitely a competitive mentality and criticisms between the bands, but much of it was fueled by the media. Whenever I'd meet folks from these bands, I didn't feel like there was anything negative. In a way, it was even beneficial—we distanced ourselves from it. They were like the cool kids in school who took themselves way too seriously, and we were more like the nerds in the back row. That's how I felt, anyway. Maybe we were also seen as a bit cheesy. But the times have changed. People are more open and less stubborn when it comes to music and scenes these days. Our older contemporaries, however, totally celebrated us. Our peers rarely talked about us or showed up to our concerts, but musicians like Mick Jagger, Ray Davies, Paul Weller, and the Gallagher brothers were totally into us.
How do you explain that?
I'm not entirely certain, but maybe our music was more aligned with what many of these older artists had made. Many younger bands during that time were more focused on post-punk or even rap. We hailed from the rhythm & blues and folk corner, which may have resonated with them more. Maybe age played a role, too, or certain rivalries. I actually enjoyed those other bands; I thought the scene was cool. But The Kooks were always an outsider.
Many musicians release a couple of albums before releasing one that really takes off. That wasn't the case for you. Did you already know that "Inside In/Inside Out" would be a massive hit right from the start?
To be honest, not really. We had a quite small record deal with a major label at the time, nothing major. The press wasn't particularly on our side—we were featured, but we were never on the cover of NME or anything like that. Many folks didn't take us seriously. I think we caught the industry off guard because we ended up having similar sales figures as the Arctic Monkeys. People were intrigued, "How can they be commercially successful?" The "Naive" single exploded like nothing else before—I remember hearing it coming from random apartments all over the city. Experiencing a moment like that in life—a song that hits so hard—it's pretty special.
It's said that your first tour was pretty chaotic. What was your wildest rock 'n' roll moment?
Well, it was always rock 'n' roll, but not necessarily in a glamorous way. We didn't have anyone to keep us in line back then—quite the opposite: many folks from the label or our surroundings were kinda fueling the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Picture this: You're 18, you hop on a tour bus, there's free booze everywhere, you can have whatever you want, and suddenly you're in Berlin, Paris, or Tokyo. You don't want to go to bed because you don't want to miss a thing—even if you've got a big show the next day. It was pretty nutty. But let me share a story about hanging out with the Gallaghers—that was intense! I remember Liam yelling "Ooh La" in my face while we were doing shots together. (laughs)
Were you afraid of him?
Oh, absolutely! I was terrified! He's a wild one. I remember another time he was at the Soho House when it was still really popular. We had a few drinks, the vibe was fantastic. At some point, he asks us what we're doing. We had just recorded a cover of Ace of Base's "All That She Wants." I think I loved that song. But Liam flipped his lid: "You lot are a fcking rock band! You can't do this pop sht!" And then he chucked a glass of wine at us and stormed out. What I wonder is how he remembers that evening. But at least we got to tour with him later.
Probably just a regular Tuesday night for him...
(laughs) Probably! But just being in the same room as him and other big stars like Ronnie Wood or Paul Weller was a surreal experience. I always wondered, "What in the world am I doing here? This is crazy!"
Classic imposter syndrome?
(laughs) Yeah, maybe. Not that I ever compared myself to those kinds of people. I just did my own thing. But it was hard not to get nervous, to stutter, or try too hard to seem cool. That's when alcohol and drugs came into play—to help me relax. Looking back, I wish I had started meditating earlier. (laughs)
Are there lyrics you've written that your fans love, but you wouldn't write again?
Oh my god, soooo many! I've written some very peculiar lyrics. (laughs) There was a time when I was genuinely annoyed at some of my lyrics—now I see it with a more relaxed perspective. A bit of silliness is okay. And honestly, there are much worse lyrics out there—no names mentioned. Songwriting is a weird process. It's more about feelings than an intellectual exercise. Sometimes lyrics don't make much sense, but they feel right. And that's often why those songs stick with people. That's why there are so many great hits with bizarre lyrics. I try to avoid being in the way of that flow. And yes, I still chuckle when I hear fans singing along to "Jackie Big Tits." But would I write that now? Probably not.
Interview with Luke Pritchard of The Kooks by Linn Penkert
Source: ntv.de
- Music
- Rock music
- United Kingdom
Source Enrichment Data:- While the search results do not explicitly detail the factors contributing to The Kooks regaining their self-confidence and returning to their roots for their latest album, Never / Know, we can infer some insights based on their recent activities and album characteristics: 1. Musical Direction: The new album, Never / Know, seems to tap into their original indie sound, which was influential in the 2000s. This return to their roots suggests that the band may have felt a renewed connection with their earlier style and audience. 2. Tour and Live Performances: The Kooks have embarked on a stripped-back acoustic tour to support the album, which might indicate a desire to reconnect with fans on a more intimate level. This focus on live performances and independent venues could have helped boost their confidence in their music and its appeal. 3. Creative Freedom and Inspiration: The album's summery, upbeat tracks like "Sunny Baby" and "All Over The World" suggest that the band feels creatively liberated to produce music that aligns with their brand of joyful and dreamy indie rock. This creative freedom might be a significant factor in their renewed confidence. 4. Social and Industry Engagement: Luke Pritchard's advocacy for independent venues highlights the band's commitment to the music scene and their roots. This engagement may contribute to their confidence as they feel connected to the heart of the industry.
Overall, a combination of revisiting their musical roots, engaging in intimate live performances, and connecting with their musical heritage appears to have contributed to The Kooks' self-confidence and inspiration for Never / Know.
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft regulation regarding the band's new live performance guidelines for smaller, independent venues.
- Luke Pritchard mentioned that Mick Jagger, Ray Davies, and Paul Weller, along with other music legends, had always been fans of The Kooks, providing a boost to their confidence and inspiration.
- Upon realizing the success of their debut album, even a song like "Jackie Big Tits" resonated with fans, showing a confidence in their unique sound.
- After developing a more independent approach to music production, The Kooks found confidence in their ability to create authentic and spontaneous music, as demonstrated by their new album recording process in Luke Pritchard's basement.
