INTERVIEW: Kyle Falconer

The View are the much-adored band who have encased themselves in the minds of many a millennial with tracks such as ‘Same Jeans’ and ‘Superstar Tradesmen’ from their debut 2007 album Hats Off to the Buskers. A legacy of success with continual sell-out shows, an induction into the Barrowlands infamous Hall of Fame and T in the Park organiser Geoff Ellis commenting that “The View can play (at T in the Park) any year under my watch…”. Having recently toured in celebration of the tenth anniversary of their astounding debut album, the indie-rock quartet are now taking a well-deserved break from their now 12-year-old love child. Lead singer Kyle Falconer has become the long-haired, unapologetically Scottish, indie icon that has seen the band sail through their success. But whilst The View breaks into the shore for a pitstop, the flamboyant lead charters ahead with his own solo work.

Having recently announced that he will be joining rock royalty Liam Gallagher for six shows along the star’s solo tour, the expression “friends in high places” has rewarded Falconer well. His new project, the self-titled ‘Kyle Falconer’ is the man himself supported by a backing band which is now propelled forward by such a high voltage support slot. We spoke to the rebellious lead about his new venture.

Many will ask it, so first things first – what’s going to happen to The View?

We’re just taking a break because we’ve been non-stop for more than 10 years so everyone’s ready to take a break. I think we released the albums too consecutively, too close together. So, we’re going to go away, have a bit of time off and a wee bit of meditation.

How did you meet Liam Gallagher?

We (The View) played with Noel Gallagher, then got guest list for the Liverpool gig when they were touring Dig Out Your Soul. They were ‘access-all-area’ passes – so we were freaking out, we’re the biggest fans in the world! So we met through that gig and then got to know Liam through friends that I work with.

How did you manage to secure the support slot on Liam’s upcoming tour?

He kept saying “When I’ve got some gigs, I’ll sort you out” then I saw this new album and thought “yeh it’d be great to get a slot”. I mean I’ve done a couple of shows but they’re just small, not arenas. I’ve no singles out or anything so it’s quite a big thing.

On your recent 10th Anniversary tour of Hats Off to the Buskers with The View, you had upcoming acts, such as The Blinders. How important would you say it is for mature bands to support new acts?

Everyone needs a helping hand. I remember like Catfish and The Bottlemen supported us a couple of times and everyone said “they’re gonna be big”. Everyone’s got to help people out, it’s very important.

Are there any other new bands that have caught your eye?

There’s a band called Miracle Glass Company that supported me in Edinburgh on a solo gig and they were amazing. Billy Mitchell as well, he’s got his own project doing acoustic work and he’s playing guitar in my band at the minute.

You’re playing EH6 soon. Do you still enjoy festivals as a place to discover music?

I was at Neighbourhood festival the other day, EH6 is kind of like that – the bands aren’t massive – but it’s better like that. That was in Manchester, I was hanging about with the band The Luka State, they were really good. I went to see them and I thought “this boys voice is amazing”. That’s what these festivals are like, we’ve already got a list of bands we’re going to see at EH6.

Either playing or attending – what’s your best festival memory?

It depends who’s playing. I remember we saw Amy Winehouse at Glastonbury, it was huge, I remember thinking “I’m going right to the front for this, this is mental”. At the time I wasn’t really into that kind of music but then I went along and it was brilliant. Also, at Glastonbury last year, we were at the side of the stage for The Bootleg Beatles and if you squint your eyes a bit you think you’re at The Beatles, so that was pretty mega.

You’ve said before that you’re a big fan of The Beatles. Would you say that your influences have changed now that you’re doing solo work?

I’d say it’s more my influences that comes through. With The View there was a lot of opinions, quite a vast taste in music, but overall a similar. Whereas now I’ve got the reins, it’s my opinion, it’s quite different.

Lastly, what’s in store for 2018 and the future?

Great things. The album should be out closer to Summer and I’ll be hitting up every festival on the planet. I’m just ready to it all.

Hannah Tinker
@hannahetinker