Fatherhood Echoes Franz Ferdinand’s Origins for Alex Kapranos

Franz Ferdinand’s lead singer, Alex Kapranos, has described fatherhood as a familiar experience, drawing parallels to the band’s formative years. Kapranos, 52, and his wife Clara Luciani welcomed their first child last year. He informed BBC Scotland News that embarking on tours with his band is now “really difficult.” The singer, whose band is set to release their sixth album, *The Human Fear*, in January, stated, “Saying goodbye to him is hard.” Kapranos remarked on the refreshing nature of his new responsibilities, saying, “I’ve spent my adult life shirking responsibility, and being as irresponsible as possible, so being presented with responsibility is quite refreshing.” He also noted that the sleep deprivation associated with fatherhood mirrors the band’s early days. “A lot of people said to me that sleep deprivation would destroy me, but it was just like 2004 when the band was kicking off and I never went to bed,” he explained. “We’d be playing gigs, going out all night and then be up at 6am to fly somewhere. I slept about two hours a night back then, so this is the same – just without a hangover.” Kapranos will face multiple departures throughout 2025, as Franz Ferdinand anticipates a busy year. The band has undergone revamps and reformations since its inception but continues to excel at crafting artful indie pop. Originating from Glasgow’s vibrant music scene, the original lineup of Kapranos, guitarist Nick McCarthy, bassist Bob Hardy, and drummer Paul Thomson achieved chart success with hit singles such as “Take Me Out.” They also established a reputation as one of the UK’s premier live acts and secured the Mercury Music Prize in 2004. Kapranos recalled that the band’s reaction to winning the Mercury Prize was one of surprise, believing “anyone but us would win.” He characterized this as “quite a Glasgow attitude. You’re like ‘we’re not the sort of people who win prizes’.” Their success was not immediate. Kapranos, born in England, relocated to Scotland as a child. During his teenage years, he became deeply involved in the 90s Glasgow music scene, organizing club nights and performing with groups like the cult indie band The Yummy Fur before co-founding Franz Ferdinand. Significant changes have occurred since their debut album won the Mercury Prize. *The Human Fear* marks the group’s first studio release since original drummer Thomson’s departure in 2021. Guitarist McCarthy had previously left in 2016. A new lineup has since formed around founding members Kapranos and Hardy, now joined by guitarist Dino Bardot, keyboardist/guitarist Julian Corrie, and drummer Audrey Tait. Despite these personnel changes, Kapranos maintains that the band’s core identity remains intact. He stated, “Whenever we do a cover it always sounds like us, and I like that. We did Good Luck Babe [by Chappell Roan] on Radio 2, which is an amazing song but when we play it, it just sounds like Franz Ferdinand.” He added, “Bob and I were talking about this before we made this record, that it’s good to be at ease with your identity and your sound.” Kapranos emphasized the importance of artistic self-awareness: “Knowing your voice and who you are is important. You could listen to early Birthday Party records and then those dark sombre ballads Nick Cave has been writing now, and it’s still unmistakeably him -it’s the same for PJ Harvey or Leonard Cohen.” He concluded, “That really informed us making this record. I wanted people to listen to this and know it’s unmistakeably Franz Ferdinand.” A greatest hits compilation released in 2021, along with its accompanying tour, helped Kapranos “make peace with everything that we’ve done before.” He admitted, “I’m not the kinda person who likes to look back.” He elaborated, “Once we make a record I never really listen to it again, so for the tour I was being forced to listen to that music again, and I found I felt pretty comfortable with it.” While acknowledging their past, the band also sought to explore new creative avenues for the future. *The Human Fear* introduces fresh ideas, including orchestral flourishes on the recent single “Audacious,” the use of a bouzouki on “Black Eyelashes,” and a Celtic-style riff featured in “Cats.” Contrary to what its title might imply, Kapranos clarified that *The Human Fear* is not about dread but its antithesis. He explained, “The greatest moments in life are when you overcome fear,” recalling his own childhood fear of the shark in *Jaws*. He suggested, “Watching horror films or riding rollercoasters gives you a buzz and we should maybe approach some wider existential fears with the same attitude.” Reflecting on his youth, he added, “I remember growing up in the 80s and thinking one diplomatic slip-up would mean we’d all be nuclear toast. There’s always something to be afraid of, and you can either submit to it or stand up to it.” Franz Ferdinand has previously addressed political themes. In 2014, they publicly supported Scottish independence, and two years later, they released “Demagogue,” a track aimed at then-incoming American President Donald Trump. However, Kapranos indicated that a potential second Trump presidency is unlikely to provoke a similar response. He stated, “Trump’s not my favourite man and there’s so much in worldwide politics that’s disheartening.” Yet, he expressed weariness with constant political discourse: “But it’s also disheartening how everyone is going on about politics all the time. I find it wearying and I’m loathe to do my share of it. It should be obvious Trump is an idiot and self-centred, does it need me to say that?” He further commented, “Some of my friends on social media just bang on about it all the time. The arts is a powerful tool of protest and we should continue to do that, but there’s a difference between that and low key whinging.” Despite this, the group will not remain silent on all issues. In 2024, they were among Scottish musicians who voiced concerns regarding potential arts funding cuts. A recent short tour also allowed them to test new songs in some of the country’s smaller venues. Upcoming UK dates for 2025 include larger venues such as the Barrowland in Glasgow, with a summer performance at the city’s SWG3 also scheduled. Nevertheless, supporting grassroots music remains a deeply held passion for Kapranos. He shared, “I spent so many years in the basement of the 13th Note in Glasgow, so it’s part of my DNA.” He concluded, “To be in a dingy wee cellar with a band playing loudly – that’s my happy place.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.