The Fratellis On Songwriting, Videos, And Being Blissfully Unaware Of Pop Trends
posted in: Artist Features • Features • Rock
If you’re a rock fan, and especially one disheartened by the state of music as represented, say, in the recent Grammy Awards, you might find yourself thinking that the world could use an antidote, and maybe a heavy dose at that. The Fratellis might have been thinking the same thing when they titled their newest album We Need Medicine, and delivered a blast of thoughtful, authentic rock and roll. The UK trio blazed onto the US scene when their song “Flathead” appeared in a 2007 iPod commercial. They’ve been steadily building up a devoted fan base since then, and We Need Medicine, their first album after an extended hiatus, is the gem that really should put them over the top stateside. We spoke with singer and guitarist Jon Fratelli about his approach to writing songs, making videos, and how much influence current pop music has on the band (SPOILER: none).
OS: You’ve spoken about the songs on We Need Medicine in terms of how they serve the record, that you’ve written songs of a certain type because the record needed it. This somewhat business-like approach calls to mind songwriters like Paul McCartney, who can write heartbreaking or joyous songs simply having set out to fill a requirement. Indeed, many of your new songs sound positively exuberant. Has songwriting always worked that way for you, or has that ability to just sit down and do a job developed along with you as songwriters?
Jon: I think it’s really just about having a vague idea of somewhere you’d like to go. I learned that by having no idea where to go on the second Fratellis record; it ends with a mediocre album and with songs that, a year later, you don’t want to play anymore. I didn’t want that to be the case this time so only concentrated on writing in a style that know I’ll always be able to connect to.
OS: You guys are great at style or genre exercise songs, but what song would you pick from your catalogue that is stylistically most uniquely you?
Jon: I hope never to write that song. There’ll always be songs that other people connect you with more than others, but I don’t think musicians really do that with their own music. If you write something that perfectly sums up everything you’ve ever wanted to say then you have no reason to get out of bed in the morning.
OS: You said that Seven Days Seven Nights might be the first really personal song The Fratellis have released. I assume you’re comfortable with songs just being songs and not a reflection of something more intimate, but is this shift toward the introspective a product of getting older? Did you feel at all self-conscious about releasing it as a single?
Jon: I don’t think it’s age and I didn’t feel self conscious at all, the truth is the truth, I just feel more willing now to let it come out in a song.
OS: The two videos from the new record (for Seven Days Seven Nights and a lyric video She’s Not Gone Yet But She’s Leaving) are great but don’t feature the band. How much did the band have to do with the ideas or production, if any? And if none, it must be nice to just have someone deliver a product like that, especially with Seven Days Seven Nights.
Jon: Personally, I’m not the most visual thinker so my video ideas are very limited. Also I think if you ask most musicians they’ll tell you that they’d much rather not spend any time in front of a camera. I’ve never been a fan of videos – I know why they’re needed but I see no reason to get too involved, unless it’s to say I don’t like it!
OS: Pop music is always changing, and in recent years has been taken more seriously as a cultural form, even as we acknowledge and often celebrate its fleeting nature. The Fratellis’ roots are obviously deeper, but are you ever influenced by what’s happening now in the world of Top 40 pop? Are you impressed by anything coming from that world today, or is it the same old shit?
Jon: I never did know what was going on and never needed to. I can’t see that changing. I love my record collection; it’s impossible for anything to ever measure up to it, so why bother looking? I do realize, though, the hypocrisy in that statement, given that I make music, but I’m happy to live with that.
We Need Medicine is available now, and the band is on tour in North America on the dates below:
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