Luke Owain Boult speaks with platinum-selling Welsh singer-songwriter Shakin Stevens about performing at the Royal British Legion’s Wales Festival of Remembrance, Echoes of Our Times and artistic development.
You’re performing at the Royal British Legion’s Wales Festival of Remembrance. What is the best way to ensure that the tragedies of the past aren’t repeated?
If we knew the answer to that, we could all rest easy in our homes. Unfortunately no-one has the answer to this. As we are all aware, there are many factors that lead to war, but while there is intolerance, and the urge of countries for more land and governments and individuals craving for more power – then there is always a danger of war. The lyrics of John Lennon’s song Imagine say it all, really.
There seems to be a sense of anger to Echoes Of Our Times. What inspired the themes explored in the record?
No, no sense of anger, just real sadness and a feeling for what my family members went through. My father wouldn’t talk about his time in the army in WWI, but my brother, Jackie, who was in the Navy in WW2 did talk about what happened, and his particular experiences. I believe that Jackie’s reasoning for talking about it, was that people need to understand the full horror of war, and that it should not be hidden away.
One of my uncles was blown up in WW1, and took eight days to die. Eleven days later, his son was born. When you hear of stories like this, and such tragedy, then of course it makes you sad. I’m glad that the vocal within the song imparts this emotion.
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The album has a darker sound compared to much of your earlier work, what was the inspiration for this?
My music has been changing over the years, but the stories of the past have probably quickened the pace. If you read the artwork, which has the lyrics and the stories behind the songs, then it will explain the musical style of each of the tracks.
As an example, Down In The Hole is about my ancestors who worked as copper and tin miners in Cornwall, for hundreds of years: men, women and children. The copper mines of Cornwall were generally worked vertically, and not horizontally, which meant that at the start of each working day they would have to climb down ladders to get to the part of the copper lode they were working, and climb up again at the end of the shift. It wasn’t unusual for them to spend two hours, each way, climbing down and up these ladders – and sometimes the ladders would break or come away from the wall of the mine, and sometimes they would just fall off, through tiredness. This was just one of the dangers, within the mine.Arsenic was prevalent, and flooding was another real danger, as well as the timbers falling down the shaft – and sending them down thousands of feet, down the hole, to their death. I don’t think you could write a song about this, without it being dark.
Is there a secret to maintaining constant artistic development?
Yes – never stand still, or you will find it harder to move on.
What issues do you think most affect Wales today?
That’s a very difficult question to answer. I’m a musician, not a politician, and I can only speak as I find. What I can say, is that my home town of Cardiff has changed significantly from when I was working the circuit, and as far as I’m concerned this has brought an overall improvement to the city.
Is this a new direction for you? What can audiences expect next?
No, it’s not a new direction, but it is a move-on stage. The music is really just back to my roots. This change has been happening for a long time in my ‘live’ concerts. This album is about my ancestors, and the stories determined the style of the music.
I’m on tour next year, from 15th April to 28th May, performing 34 concerts around the UK. The Cardiff date, at St David’s Hall, is on 24th April 2017, and I will be performing songs from the album, together with classic hits, and a few surprises. I’m really looking forward to getting back out on tour!
The Royal British Legion’s Wales Festival of Remembrance. Sat 5 Nov. Tickets: £10-£20. Info: here. Buy Echoes Of Our Times here.