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What is your advice to budding songwriters like myself for getting involved in the music business? I don't know where to begin, and Chrysalis rejected my demo!

Nik: Ignore the rejection slip but keep it for framing at a later date (I've still got all mine). You have to believe that you have what it takes and keep plugging away regardless. Play your songs to everybody, no matter how much influence you believe them to have. As long as you have faith in your own abilities, you've as much chance as anyone else. Once you lose it, it's time to visit the Jobcentre.

I have recently joined the throng at your Forum. What a fabulous site. Anyhow, I have a really good question for you that has been bugging me for some time. On the track "Easy" with Mark King... who sings the line "And a temporary plan"?

Nik: That would be me!

 

Have you ever thought of running / being involved in songwriting / production workshops?

Nik: Whenever I sit down to write a song I think to myself "how do I do this?". After all these years, I still don't have a clue how to write a song. It's mostly instinct and I've never been able to analyze the mechanics. I've no idea how I would be able to show anyone else how to do it!

 

I was wondering why there are two versions of "One World". There'd the normal one as released on the fab "The Works" album, and then there's the Chesney sound alike version. Was it intended to be the next single release from "The Works" and was that the release version or was it recorded later?

Nik: I never thought the original version of "One World" sounded radio friendly enough. We recorded another version as a thrid single for "The Works" but MCA pulled the plug before it was released. Chesney liked the song and EMI were looking for a single to keep things going after his first album. Again, it was never released.

I'm the singer of McFly - a band that only plays music from the 80's. Besides your other great songs we already perform, we like "The One and Only" very much and we would love to play it. But Chesney Hawkes came out in 1991 with that song. Is there any chance that you wrote it in 1989 or earlier?

Nik: Actually, it is an 90's song. It was one of the first songs I wrote after parting company with MCA and that was in 1989. It was recorded in 1990 and released in 1991. Are you really called McFly? Oops!

Not to be boring or mundane but I was interested in what equipment and/or effects you use to process your guitar and how you come about which sounds layer and mix well with others. You do a great job and combining unusual and distint guitar paths.

Nik: I don't use many effects nowadays, just delays and reverbs mainly. My main amp is a Fender "The Twin" (not to be confused with the twin reverb) and my main guitar is a PRS. A lot of the sounds on the new album were Amp Farm. The beauty of this is that you can change the sounds as you go.

 

Being a Bass player, I still to this day play along with your albums from time to time. It really takes me back. There are some really memorable bass lines in your music. One thing I've always wanted to know, aside from "Easy" with Mark King, do you recall what basses were used on the first few albums?

Nik: On the first two albums I think I used a Music Man. After that, I've no idea.

 

Are there any plans to release Nik Kershaw's new album as a digital download?

Nik: It's on iTunes now.

 

Been an avid fan of yours for... ooh... well over 20 years! One of my favourite tracks was "The Riddle", and I was wondering why the video wasnt' included in the DVD collection, as it was one of your biggest hits? Also, if my memory serves me correctly, when "The Riddle" was in the charts, I never saw a performance or the video on Top of The Pops. I used to watch with anticipation and then... nothing! I was gutted!

Nik: Believe it or not, Universal couldn't find it! It's shown regularly on Satellite but no-one at Universal cold locate a copy. That's how good they were. I didn't find out until it was too late. I made several TOTP appearances with it. Notably, on one occasion, wearing a fetching "Feed the World" T-Shirt!

 

I am really struggling to get a copy of "The Riddle". Was it released on CD at all and if so do you know how I could get a copy?

Nik: "The Riddle" was released on CD. I think your only chance of finding one nowadays is on Japanese import (Amazon)

Just wondering why you never put "Woman" and "The Wrong Man" on any album and just them as a CD single bonus's. Also, are there any more outtakes from the "15 Minutes" and "To Be Frank" albums?

Nik: Looking back, I might agree with you. I like "The Wrong Man" but it always sounded like a demo to me. Sometimes you don't appreciate what you're doing until much later. There are a couple of songs that didn't make "To Be Frank" and "You've Got To Laugh". Maybe I'd do an 'OutTakes' album!

 

I thought one of the best tracks on "To Be Frank" was "Jane Doe". I wondered, have you done any writing with Chesney recently? And what parts of the song did you both write? Always interested in how collaborations come together.

Nik: I haven't written with Chesney since "Another Fine Mess" a couple of years ago. However, I am supposed to be going to Iceland with him in the Spring for a songwriting retreat. As for "Jane Doe", I can't remember who did what. ThinK I started playing the chords and he started singing... or was it the other way round?

 

Stuning Artwork for the new album "You've Got To Laugh". Could you tell me what led you to choosing this artist and were you involved in the way the artwork revolved?

Nik: I can't claim any credit for this. We just browsed Getty Images for something suitable and this just leapt out. I thought "there's my album cover" (and it was royalty free)!!!

What are your opinions on programmes like The X-Factor?

Nik: I'm a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to this. There's something pretty shameful about getting your kicks watching other people humiliate themselves but, when those auditions start, I'm glued to the telly along with everybody else. Some of thses people have serious personality disorders and need help... not from Simon Cowell. After that, it's just Saturday Night tosh really. It's a pantomime. Girls Aloud and Will Young have done OK out of it but you're never going to find the next Bob Dylan on there.

 

Please can you explain to me how this co-writing with another person works? I mean, you write "Oxygen" and along comes Mr Page who adds a verse (did he get permission first!?) and suddenly he gets half the credits to a great song which is 85% your baby! Another instance is that song you wrong with Charlott recorded called "Don't Even Think About It", yet Eiko Matsumoto comes along and records a track called "Futsuu Ja Nai" and it is a Japanese version of Charlott's song, but I notice a line has been changed on the first line of the chorus and it is credited to you and Douglas Car!! can these people just come along and take half the credit by changing just one or two lines?

Nik: Richard Page thought the song needed a middle section and gave it one. I don't believe this was an attempt to muscle in on the credits, just something he felt he had to do to make the song his. In that respect, the singer owns the song. To my knowledge, no-one else has ever covered this version. Just because he gets credited with a co-write doesn't mean he got half the credit. As for "Fatsuu Ja Nai", I'm not aware of Eiko Matsumoto ever claiming a writing credit, and he certainly hasn't claimed any of the publishing royalty. He would need my permission to do that!

By doing everything yourself this time, do you feel a better sense of accomplishment? Would you ever consider "My Oxygen" as a duet with Imogen Heap? I think that could be amazing!

Nik: Doing things myself does satisfy the control freak in me but you do miss out on other people's creative energy. A love duet with Imogen? Me 5'4" and her 6'2"? The comedy possibilities are endless!

I wondered if you've contemplated doing some sort of acoustic / unplugged album?

Nik: I've tried recording acoustic versions of some of the songs. They never sound finished to me!

 

I've been listening to "You've Got To Laugh" and, having the remotest knowledge of what has gone on in your life while you were writing the songs, I'd like to know if any have been a reflection on the events. I am an amateur songwriter and I usually wrte about what's happening with my life. Even if I throw a disguise on it it's still there.

Nik: Most songs are about things going on in my life, if not, in the life of someone close to me. Although, occasionally, I do write a song and wonder what the hell it's about!

 

Where was the inspiration for the, "I Hope You're Happy Now" track? Was it simply a dig at the press or an individual or simply someting picked up from the media in general?

Nik: Somebody in my village pissed me off. They know who they are. Nuff said!

 

Okay "15 Minutes" was good and "To Be Frank" better yet - this latest offering is better still, I would say like a fine wine your song writing seems to be more relevant than ever, ageing nicely. I'm sure when everyone hears your little ditty about Bush they will be as impressed as I was - again you seem to be vocalising more politically - is this a push for your introduction into politics? I'll bet you'd be no worse than the lot presently presiding!

Nik: I'm not particularly political normally, but politics affect all of us. I'm just a normal Jo Schmo voicing my fears at having an idiot as leader of the free world.

 

Can you talk about what inspires you to write a song and especially the lyrics. Where does it come from? P S Did you really have a Red Diablo?

Nik: No idea where it all comes from. Wish I did. Then I could summon it up whenever I needed it. No, I didn't have a Red Diablo, but BMW didn't rhyme!

 

I am keen to find sheet music to "15 Minutes" I'm particularly interested in the guitar parts, tab would be preferable. Any idea where I might get it?

Nik: Afraid not. I don't even know what chords I'm playing!

 

Interesting new direction in some songs. You've got to be congratulated for still experimenting and growing as an artist. I hope that you (re)gain the measure of attention and respect that your talent deserves. One carp however, are the instances of vulgar language. I don't believe anything in the context calls for it, or justifies it. It merely serves to alienate fans who find it unpleasant, and means families won't listen to it together.

Nik: I have to disagree. This is the world I live in and these are the words that people in that world use to express their feelings. I'm just being honest. As a point of interest, BBC local radio didn't have any problem playing uncensored versions of the two songs you're referring to.

"Fruit Machines is Missing". Am I right in thinking that this song title is inspired by or takes the mick out of Thomas Dolby's "One of Our Submarines"?

Nik: I'd never dare take the mick out of Thomas Dolby. I think he's great. "One of Our Fruit Machines is Missing" was the first thing that came into my head.

 

You created some fine catchy tunes back in the 80's, and your more recent material is even better, more 'complete', with ingenious musical subtleties and delicate, humour-filled lyrics. So far for the feathers... I read that you have no plans to tour, but can you see that there must be so many people like me, who'd love to hear these recent songs performed live with a fine band? Give it a thought....

Nik: .... I'm thinking.....

When can I download "The Works"?

Nik: Right now... iTunes.... hurry!

Back in the early 1980's I wrote for the 'Scene and Heard' pop page in your local paper, the Ipswich Evening Star. I believe we mentioned Hogg and Fusion on occasion, and then after you made it big as a solo act, obviously we majored on the facts that you were from Ipswich. Did you read the Evening Star back in those days?

Nik: I've still got the clippings!

 

Do you find that you can now write tracks easier without the pressure from a record company or did you thrive on the deadlines? Will you ever show us those Record Company rejection slips?

Nik: It's nice not to have the stress, but I could do with a kick up the backside every now and then!

 

What do you think about the inevitable fact of Man United ending Chelsea world domination this season?

Nik: Still a long way to go my friend!

 

Can you tell me who the drummer is on the new album? Sounds like Simon Phillips?

Nik: Simon is on three tracks. "Can't Get Arrested", "Old House" and "She Could Be The One". Most of the rest are a chap called Julian Brown.

 

I notice that "The Works" and "Radio Musicola" have become available on iTunes. While I do own them on vinyl I would love to have new versions of them but am not able to get them on iTunes in the US. Was wondering if this will change anytime soon?

Nik: You should be able to access the UK's iTUnes by selecting United Kingdom in the "My Store" pop up at the bottom of the front page of the US site.

 

Have you ever thought of making an album with Imogen Heap?

Nik: It was fun doing the one track with her for the best of album, but we're both control freaks and I don't think a compromise would be satisfactory for either of us.

 

Did you write a song called "Show Me The Way" that was released by the 'Osmond Boys' (presumably the offspring of Donny et al) in the early 90's?

Nik: I did write "Show Me The Way" which was subsequently recorded by the Osmond Boys.

 

You're #1 songwriter on my top 5 list, #2 Elvis Costello, #3 Todd Rundgren, #4 Pete Townshend, #5 Simon Townsend (I asked him a few years ago if he listens to you. He said he had "15 Minutes" but didn't like the cover) Music actually inspires me to write my own music. I was wondering what artists have inspired you to write?

Nik: David Bowie, Paul Simon, Marc Bolan, Deep Purple, Dvorak, Alice Cooper, Steely Dan, Weather Report, James Taylore, Elgar, Jeff Beck, U2, Miles Davis, Genesis, Vaughan Williams, Jeff Buckley, Neil Finn, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Bjork, Cat Stevens, Doves, Snow Patrol, Jellyfish, Kate Rusby, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead... and a few hundred more!