Interview: Stereophonics

Hi Richard, how are you?
Thanks, I'm good, I'm in Cardiff. We have a press conference today. We're playing a big outdoor show here this summer. We're the first band to have a concert at the new Cardiff Football Stadium. There's are good music scene here, there have been lots of investments in the last fifteen years and we're very much looking forward to it.

What can we expect from the upcoming tour?
Well, we're in the middle of the rehearsals right now. We want to play lots of songs that people haven't heard for five or six years. We want to change our set a lot so that we can play different shows. We're putting the setlist together right now.

What do you think about the new record?
It was big fun to make the record. We worked with a new producer with a different edge how to produce songs. There's a new vibe and there are some catchy melodies like in "She's Alright" or "I Got Your Number". I really like "Trouble" and "Uppercut".

Is it getting harder to record albums after such a long time?
Not really, it's getting easier. We're quite comfortable. We're growing as musicians and as a band and we have a lot of confidence. Kelly is such a strong songwriter so we have lots of good songs. But sometimes, it's hard to read some reviewer's comments. You have to rescept them but sometimes you take it to heart because you put a lot of effort and soul in the records and they're only tearing it apart after listening the songs once. I mean, it's their job but it's also what the general public reads. But after all, we care about the people who buy the records and come to our shows.

In our last interview we talked about the cancellation of the Oasis/Stereophonics tour in 2006. You thought that it was unfortunate but the opportunity will come again. Do you still think that you will go on tour with Oasis?
Not at the moment. I think Noel is happy and Liam is back with the band. But there is always an opportunity. We saw Blur reforming last year and all the other reunions. I don't think there will be a reunion now but on the other hand we're talking about Oasis and they're pretty unpredictable.

Could this also happen to the Stereophonics?
No, not at the place we're in at this moment. We're very happy with the album, the attitude is in a good place and we're having a good time.

In what way has the sound evolved since Adam Zindani has joined the band?
Well, we have an extra guitarist, the score gets bigger. Adam is a great musician and he sings very well so he can support Kelly's melodies and do the backing vocals.

What are your plans for this year?
This year is pretty much about touring. We'll be on the road until September and then we will see what we will do. Hopefully, we'll also play some festivals, some of them are lining up at the moment. And maybe we'll also come back to Switzerland. We always had a good time in Switzerland.

"Keep Calm And Carry On " erscheint am 22.01.2010 bei Universal Music. Die Band spielt am 09.02.2010 im X-Tra Limmathaus Zürich.

Weitere Infos:
Stereophonics
Universal Music
X-Tra Limmathaus Zürich