Nik Kershaw interview

Nik Kershaw interview from Berlin

Pop Icon Nik Kershaw was in Berlin recently performing at the 02 World as part of the "Back to the 80's" tour. He took time out for an interview with Matt Smith from Melody Nights.

There has been huge changes in the music business since you made a breakthrough in the 80's. If you were a musician starting out today, what would be the challenges you would see?

That is a really tricky one, although the challenge has always been the same and that is to get noticed. It has always been difficult but now it seems to be split into two halves. There is popular media where its virtually impossible to get noticed unless your on a reality TV show of some description, where there is far to much attention being paid to far few people. But then again there is now the internet so anybody can be heard or seen. I didn't have that when I was young, you had to go through the appropriate channels. So there are alternatives now which is a good thing.

Is there an element of luck to it as well?

Yes you do need the luck, I was massively lucky. You dont appreciate it at the time because your surrounded by people telling you it's going to happen. Your given a record deal and your working with the top producers and everything is happening for you. So then you have no doubts in your mind that your going to release a record and loads of people are going to buy it - and that happened. But later you look back and think, well that didn't happen to many people and that is the luck part. Why did they buy mine and not someone else's going through the same thing, equally or more talented than I was. Ultimately, You need to grab your chances if they come along.

Back in those days, did you read Music Magazines like NME or Melody Maker?

Yes, one of my first breaks came because I advertised in Melody Maker for a Manager. It was the paper that every musician looked at. You went to the back for employment or opportunities, it was a big deal. When I did find a manager it seemed to be easier for someone else to shout your praises then to do it yourself and it worked.

If you had not become a musician, where would you see yourself today?

Probably be sitting at a desk bored stupid, I dont really know, I might have qualified as something but I can't imagine doing anything else. But then I always have been dilligent and responsible as far as working goes. I worked hard as a civil servant for 3 years and did my job quite well I thought. Then I was being pushed on other courses to get me further on. Had it come to it, I would have done it.

When things did start happening for you, did it go very quickly?

Well yes the final push all happened very quickly, but until then I was playing professionally in a covers band for 3 years. I was doing weddings and all kinds of events and it was a fantastic apprenticeship for learning your trade and instrument. They were all very good players and I learned a lot from just playing with them. It was a lucky break because they called me when their guitarist left and till to this day I don't know why, but then I was able to leave the civil service job.

What has been your most proud moment so far?

That is a difficult one. There are certain songs I am very proud of. It's also a great feeling coming off stage knowing that you've made a good account of yourself. It does not always happen but when it does they are really good moments during your career. That is a kind of more immediate reaction but it's a feeling of pride. Then there are other sorts when you look back at things and think well, that was a great song, I am very proud of that. There are also plenty of moments I would rather forget and plenty of my achievements when you think, well could have actually done better but you just learn and move on.

Any of your family following in your footsteps?

My 18 year old son has now left school and will certainly be studying music. He intends to make a life out of making music. He is totally passionate as I was when I was his age. He wants to make music for films especially.

What is it like playing these tours with other bands?

Well I cant pretend its not a great feeling walking on stage in front of 10,20,30,000 people. Its a great thing to do. I would not be able to do that on my own tours. I mean we put on club festivals and my own gigs and thats great as well because you get people coming along that want to hear your new stuff and just find out what your doing now. It's also fun mixing with old friends and I have made acquaintances doing these shows that I could not before. I mean you would always meet people fleetingly but have no time to form a relationship as you would both be off somewhere else.

When the massive success came how did you deal with the fame?

I did not deal with it that well to be honest. It's like the saying "be careful for what you wish for", as I'd been basically been given what I wanted, what I dreamt about. But, it was not how I imagined it and I was not prepared for the fame like being public property. I found that quite difficult.

Are you going to write a book ?

I don't think anybody would be vaguely interested in what I have to say about my life. It kills me when you get 18 or 19 year old tv stars writing about their life experiences. Although, once I did write a book for a dear friend who is a publisher called "spilling the beans on the music business" which was a series of books for young adults.

What do you do to relax?

Well I do get on the golf course but not very often, I play comedy golf. I am not good at all but I keep trying as I like to be good at the stuff I do. It's very relaxing to watch golf on TV and I love that.

You performed at Live Aid. Was it a big achievement for you?

I would not say it was an achievement being there but it was an astonishing thing to be a part of. I was around at the time and I got asked. It was a great day and I was on early so I could sit back and watch the show after. It was incredibly scary and I remember the horrible moment when I forgot my words in front of 4 billion people. Hardly anybody had a sound check and the gear was on a revolving stage which kept sticking. You just had to pray that when you walked on your gear was going to be on stage.

What is on your agenda for 2012?

I am working on an album at the moment which will be out sometime in 2012. The last two albums I did not promote much but I think on this one we will do more. It's probably going to be called just "Eight" as this will be my eighth album.

Which other artists do you admire?

I love listening to Rufus Wainwright, his energy and the way he experiments and his astonishing voice. There is a new band out now called "Everything Everything" I think they are brilliant to and they are just starting to get some attention.

Do you go down the high street and buy CD's still?

No, I download mostly but then I forget I've got them and I don't play them. But I am trying to discipline myself because trying to write in a vacuum is really difficult. I try and sit down on my own for an hour a day and listen to new stuff, old stuff whatever, just to get that thing back and remember why you love music and get the inspiration. If you stop listening to music you run out of ideas.

Are you getting fan mail frequently ?

Yes, I still do sometimes and through twitter and the website. I do tweet sometimes but I am rubbish at it. Occasionally, I have a surge, mostly after too much red wine and then I regret it next morning.

What are you expecting for tonights show?

Well last night in Hamburg the reception was great. It was very good. sometimes you can never tell but I hope that tonight will be a great show too.

Thank you to Nick Kershaw for the Interview at 02 World in Berlin on December 2nd 2011

Interviewer: Matt Smith - Melody Nights
Photographer: Julie Roy - Melody Nights

Listen to the interview with Nik Kershaw on Youtube.

Click to listen to the Nik Kershaw interview on Youtube