Frank Turner performs a solo acoustic set in The Current studio
by Jill Riley
October 21, 2019
"I read history incessantly," Frank Turner says, and that becomes abundantly clear given the theme of Turner's latest album, No Man's Land. Turner's eighth studio album, No Man's Land sheds light on the stories of 13 historic women through Turner's chosen medium: song.
On tour in support of the album, Frank Turner visited The Current to talk with Jill Riley, to play some songs from No Man's Land and to share more of the stories behind the nonfiction people he sings about on the record.
Turner feels fortunate to be able to share these stories, especially since the stories of these women are often underrepresented in canonical history. As a man, Turner is also sensitive to someone of his gender telling these stories. "The question that is being asked is, what right have I, as a man, to write songs about women?" Turner posits, and he says he welcomes good-faith discussion about it.
Although many of us may encounter some of these stories for the first time through Turner's record, Turner insists No Man's Land is "not a didactic project." Rather, he points to the long-standing tradition of storytelling in folk music, and he sees this work as another chapter in that larger volume. "The storytelling drive was the first impulse for me," he says.
Use the audio player above to listen to the complete session with Frank Turner.
More Video
Songs Performed
"Jinny Bingham's Ghost"
"The Graveyard of the Outcast Dead"
"Sister Rosetta"
All songs from Frank Turner's 2019 album, No Man's Land, released on Polydor Records.
Hosted by Jill Riley
Produced by Anna Weggel
Engineered by Corey Schreppel
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web production by Luke Taylor
External Link
Frank Turner - official site
