Frank Turner

Case Study

How would you like to be described?

As a singer, songwriter and performer who came up from punk rock into whatever it is I do now.

How would you describe what you do?

I write, record and play shows. In terms of musical description, I guess I'm mainly a songwriter from a punk background working through ideas related to country and folk music, but really it's for other people to say.

What is your greatest achievement?

Sustaining a touring and recording career for more than 2 decades at a professional level. Not an easy thing to do.

What was the cause or ’trigger for this journey of making the world a better place through being useful and kind? And how old were you? When did you realise you could make a difference?

I hesitate to say that my main drive or self-conception is about changing the world per se. Music is my focus, above and beyond all else, I just want to write and record good songs and play good shows. Having said that, after many years of gathering crowds in front of me (physically at shows and virtually, online) I realised that I do have a platform of sorts that can be used, one way or another, and it has forcefully struck me in the last decade or so that the best use of that I can think of is to try and inculcate the values that are important to me in my audience. Those centre on kindness, consideration and respect.

Was it something your parents are/would have been proud of and encouraged?

My parents were very much against me pursuing a career in music, for a very long time. They've made their peace with it now, and I think they respect and endorse the messaging in what I do, such as it is.

Who or what were your early influences?

Punk rock, especially Black Flag & Henry Rollins, and his book "Get In The Van". Beyond that, any great songwriting that I like - Townes Van Zandt, John K Samson, Springsteen, and on down.

What were you doing at 16?

I did my first tour at 16 in a school holiday; so, learning the ropes.

What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

I think learning by doing is the best route through life, so I'd hesitate to try and shortcut any of that for my younger self. But I'd recommend consideration of others, I wasn't always very good at that when I was younger. That and taking more care of my physical condition - years on the road have left me with a lot of chronic injuries that I could have avoided if I'd paid any attention to my body when I was younger!

What advice would you give to other young people?

Read everything, learn everything, question everything, understand that there is more to know in this world than any one person can ever know, and be humble about that.

What has been the most difficult challenge on the way and how did you overcome it?

I suppose I would say cynicism; both in terms of other people doubting me, and me doubting myself. But you only live once, there's no point in being timid.

What do you think are the changes we need to see in the world and how can being U&K help solve those things?

There are many things in the world that could be changed for the better, but not many of those changes are simple or easy - if they were, we'd just do them. And there are many things about when and where we live that are amazingly better than they have been for most people in the past, and it's important to recognise and understand that, as long as that doesn't lead to complacency. Being useful and kind is a great place to start for any endeavour; the only people who achieve anything otherwise are the brutal. Listening, considering and understanding will help bring the people you need to convince behind your efforts. 

How are you useful and kind to yourself - what helps and hinders?

This is a big topic, and I have often not been kind to myself over the years, and it's something I try to work on pretty regularly. My mental health issues have revolved around self-esteem problems for most of my life. One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was to be as considerate with yourself as you would be with a good friend.

How are you both useful and kind to others (the easy ones and those who are more difficult to be U&K to)?

I try to factor consideration in to everything I do - imperfectly, for sure. The people nearest to me could, if they were minded, produce catalogues of my failures on that score, but I do try. I've learned that one of the purest joys in life is to give, not to receive, and that's been a helpful realisation.

What is your biggest challenge in the future?

Continuing with what I do in a way that is artistically valid, constantly challenging and questing. That can be hard to sustain year on year, but then what else is there?

What do you wish you had done differently?

I have a long list of regrets - anyone who doesn't is a sociopath, in my opinion. But I prefer to spend my time thinking about how to improve in the future rather than dwelling on things I can't change.