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Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos talks ‘intense’ Indonesian food and rock’s cyclical nature
After the release of its greatest-hits album, Franz Ferdinand front man Alex Kapranos is eager to move onward and perhaps, every once in a while, look back.
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The front man: Alex Kapranos in a still from Franz Ferdinand's music video for 'Billy Goodbye'. (YouTube/Franz Ferdinand) (YouTube/Franz Ferdinand)
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fter the release of its greatest-hits album, Franz Ferdinand front man Alex Kapranos is eager to move onward and perhaps, every once in a while, look back.
To this day, the revered indie-rock band Franz Ferdinand has come to Indonesia twice: in 2009 to Jakarta and in 2018 to both the capital and Bali. Asked about what he remembered from those visits, front man Alex Kapranos got straight to the point.
“This is a terrible thing to say, but the thing that strikes me most in my memories of Indonesia — because I’m a greedy pig — is that the food is absolutely mind-blowing! Oh my god, it’s so good!” Alex gushed to The Jakarta Post on April 25 on a Zoom call.
“You guys are so lucky. It’s probably the most intense, flavorful, enjoyable food I’ve ever had, maybe on the planet,” he added.
At that moment, the band was getting ready to play in Zagreb, but there was no hint of exhaustion from the front man during the interview. After the pandemic holding him back for the last two years, going on tour with the band has made Alex feel “full of life and joy”.
“I can’t begin to tell you how good it’s been after such a long time to be back on the road again,” Alex said cheerfully. “And the crowd has been amazing! And just for us, you know?”
The Scottish singer-songwriter was referring to all musicians’ sigh of relief post-pandemic (if it is indeed over). But Franz Ferdinand, too, has undergone several transformations in recent years. They have said goodbyes to some founding members (guitarist Nick McCarthy and drummer Paul Thomson), but also welcomed new ones (keyboardist Julian Corrie, guitarist Dino Bardot and drummer Audrey Tait). And almost two decades after proving rock songs can (and should) make people dance during the 2000s with its self-titled album, the band finally put out a 20-track greatest-hits compilation Hits to the Head in March.
