Britrocker Miles Kane on a high

(© Alexander Jordan)

He was the frontman of the Rascals and is one half of the Last Shadow Puppets, along with Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys. These days Miles Kane mainly operates solo, even if he was able to call on the aid of an exclusive club of Britpop veterans for Don’t Forget Who You Are. His neo-Sixties rock remains as cool as ever.

"It was as if only great minds came together,” says Miles Kane of the recording sessions for his second solo album, in which he was joined by, among others, Paul Weller, Andy Partridge (of XTC), and Ian Broudie (of the Lightning Seeds). He says it with a wink, but his manner reveals that he does actually mean it, at least a little. Above all, it is confirmation that he has come a long way over the last four years. “You know, after the Last Shadow Puppets I had to start right from the beginning, away from the big venues, performing for a smaller club audience again.”

Don’t forget who you are?
Miles Kane: Never, mate.

So who are you?
Kane: What you see is what you get. I want to develop and achieve, but at the same time remain true to myself.

Is that the reason why on the sleeve of your new album we see your parents’ butcher’s stall in Liverpool?
Kane: Yeah, [proudly] and that’s my mum herself standing behind the stall, by the way. I worked there myself as a child, too, especially during the school holidays. But it’s a tough job. I have a lot of respect for my mum: only strong women can do something like that.

Musically, this album sounds even more direct than its predecessor.
Kane: Yeah, that was the idea. It’s a real Saturday night record, with cheerful songs you can sing along with. The tracks sound “bigger” and live, moreover, they are transcending. My favourite track is “Better than That”. [Sings] Dum dum, dumdumdum. I feel better than that. Actually, I got the idea from Richard Hawley, who often goes back to familiar locations in his home town, Sheffield, for his album sleeves.

What was it like working in a studio with Paul Weller?
Kane: Paul is just an exceptionally nice guy. We have become friends now. You know, sometimes I have no good new ideas for a while and if that goes on for two weeks, I start to feel guilty, certainly in comparison with Paul, as God knows how many records he has made. I want to do that too, so that when I’m 55, I can sit here chatting with you again. I have opted for this job for the long term.

You share with the top Mod a fondness for fashion and style.
Kane: Yeah, even as a child I was mad about nice clothes and suits. I often used to stand dreaming in front of shop windows. But those suits were too dear, of course, certainly the black Lacoste tracksuit I always wanted. But once I had one and started wearing it, I immediately felt better and I could never get enough. Beautiful new clothes fill me with pride.

Do you already have some new tracks ready for the next album?
Kane: I love what Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones are doing. A good soul vibe, but not too retro. I would prefer to give that old soul a modern edge, like Damon Albarn did on that recent Bobby Womack album. Listen to “Please Forgive My Heart” and you’ll see what I mean.

Miles Kane • 26/10, 20.00, SOLD OUT!, Ancienne Belgique, boulevard Anspachlaan 110, Brussel/Bruxelles, 02-548.24.24, www.abconcerts.be