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Hypnotised by that soft lilting voice
Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr entrances Jodie Jeynes as they talk about his life, new album and the Isle of Wight festival
'Music is a mysterious thing. It's so subjective,' says Jim Kerr, frontman of legendary 80s rock band Simple Minds.
Today he's in a relaxed and frank mood. But, despite his excellent articulation and engaging charisma, I can't concentrate on what he's saying.
Instead, I am transfixed by his voice – a sort of soft, lilting Glaswegian accent in smooth deep tones.
For Jim, think Billy Connolly, if he dropped down a few octaves and was less excitable.
For me, picture Mowgli from The Jungle Book as he is hypnotised by Kaa the snake.
I'm not normally a fan of Scottish accents, not least that harsh Glasgow sound, but Jim had me completely entranced as we chatted earlier this week during his quick stint back in UK.
After last weekend's festival performance in Sweden, Jim left the rest of the band in rehearsing in Belgium while he nipped back to the London studio to work on new material.
'I just arrived this morning,' he tells me as he prepares for a day 'in the studio, demo-ing songs for the future.'
Jim's a busy man at the moment. Following their 30th anniversary tour, Simple Minds headed back into the studio to record their 15th album – Graffiti Soul.
It was released last week and entered the UK album chart at number 10.
It was released in 24 other countries too and Jim's been touring around for months on the promoting trail.
'For the last two or three months I've been travelling far and wide promoting the album and that'll continue.
'It's all part of the process. When you've made an album and you're happy with the result, you want people to know about it, you want them to be as enthusiastic about it as you.'
He continues: 'But now the concerts have begun, that becomes the focus.'
Jim's laid back manner belies his work ethic. It's hard to imagine that while touring and promoting his new album, he's found time to return to the studio and start work on the next.
'We're always writing, always stockpiling ideas,' he says, explaining the band's creative process.
'There comes a point where you go "okay, these songs sit well together.
These songs have something in common. There's an album here," and that's when you book the studio.'
For Grafitti Soul, that point came a year ago, and what Simple Minds have come up with in that time is being described as a triumphant return to form for the band who enjoyed six number one albums and numerous hit singles such as Alive and Kicking and Don't You (Forget About Me).
Jim says he enjoyed making the album and attributes its success to the band's experience and hard work.
He says: 'Recently the band's been very prolific, we seem to be on a bit of a roll, but we've been working hard for a long time so we've gained a wealth of experience.
'If you'd asked us last year what we wanted to achieve with this album, we'd've said we want it to be energetic and contemporary, but to maintain that classic Simple Minds sound.
'It's a contradiction in terms for something to be classic and contemporary, but I think somehow we have managed it and that's why the album's doing so well.'
The new release cements their place as one of Scotland's most successful bands.
Though only Jim and Charlie Burchill are left from the original line-up, the band have never split up, working as a solid unit for more than three decades.
Jim has had less luck in his personal life, with two high profile divorces under his belt.
He was married to Chrissie Hyde, lead singer of The Pretenders, from 1984 to 1990 and then to actress Patsy Kensit from 1992 to 1996.
He was subsequently quoted in the press as saying that his independence meant that he was not cut out for married life.
But when I ask about reports that he'd vowed never to marry again, he says: 'I think I said that it was unlikely, but I've learned though experience never to say never.'
As if to prove the point, he's going back on his own customs next month as he prepares to celebrate his 50th birthday.
'I'm normally not one for birthdays, but this one's a wee bit special and we'll be playing in Paris that night,' he explains.
But he'll have no time for birthday plans just yet.
On Thursday Simple Minds have a gig in Germany, then they're off to Spain, before appearing at the Isle of Wight festival on Sunday ahead of Pixies and Neil Young.
Jim's never been to the festival before and is disappointed that he won't get the chance to see many of the other bands.
He explains: 'I would love to watch, but I'm arriving from Spain just before I go on stage.
'There are a few factors that make this such a special festival. Obviously there's the whole back story. The very name itself is part of rock 'n' roll history. Then there's the geography of the place. There's a magic about it's location. Since it's been revamped and relaunched the bills John Giddings has been putting together have been pretty spectacular. It's nothing less than remarkable every year.'
So what can festival goers expect from Simple Minds' performance on Sunday?
Jim says 'an incredible live band on top of their game playing the songs that you would expect and some surprises too.'
I say – prepare to be hypnotised.
Simple Minds will take to the main stage on the closing day of the Isle of Wight Festival (Sunday, July 14). Tickets are still available from isleofwightfestival.com for 140 with camping and 120 without.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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