Big thanks to Dutch fan site Keane Nederland who supplied these excellent questions - click for their pages on Facebook and Twitter.
Q. How does Tom prepare his voice, so he can preform the whole evening, the whole tour?
A. He normally warms up for a little while, though once he has sung in soundcheck his voice tends to be pretty warm, and not need too much. We definitely try to minimise singing when doing three shows in a row - he probably won't sing much in the Paris soundcheck, for example.
Q. Keane recently performed an amazing cover of The River, but IF Bruce Springsteen planned to do a Keane cover, wich one you guys want that to be?
A. Wow, good question - I guess Strangeland has our most Springsteeny-vibe songs on it, so maybe Sovereign Light Café… I think that would sound good!
Q. You played a lot at Indoor and outdoor venues, but wich do you prefer, and why?
A. Big festivals are a lot of fun, especially as it is getting dark, so if I could only play one more show that's what I'd like, but I don't really mind!
Q. A few years ago there was such thing called "the mini doc" during the tour, is that brilliant concept ever coming back?
A. Ha, that was Tom, right? Depends if he feels inspired to take his video camera out again (so probably not!)
Q. When talked about brilliant concepts, what about the return of "what do you think of" interviews? they where amazingly funny.
A. See above!
Q. Did you ever consider performing with a Symphonic Orchestra?
A. We'd love to. Another on the long list of things we would like to do. I really enjoyed things like the iTunes session from a couple of years back - with a small string section.
Q. When Dutch people travel to a foreign country they take peanutbutter, potatoes and coffee with them. Is there anything you have to take with you on tour?
A. Coffee, obviously (beans, grinder and aeropress or V60 filter)
Q. Don't you get tired of performing almost every day? And what do you guys do to stay healthy?
A. Tom and Jesse have just gone to the gym as I write this. We all work out (I only do on days off because the gig is a workout for me). We try to eat well (no chocolate on the tourbus!) and we are lucky to have Popcorn Catering (company) with us on this tour, and they make us (and our crew) lovely healthy food every day.
Q. Who makes the setlists and what's the motivation behind some of the songs?
A. Tom likes to do them at the moment, and he is looking at the way the songs flow, and the way they go from one key to another - sometimes he finds a combination of songs make tuning difficult, so he keeps an eye on that. Then it just depends on how long we have, and what the venue sounds like - a song like Black Rain won't sound good in a big cavernous shed, but might sound amazing in a theatre.
Q. Nowadays the music industry is more a single-based thing instead of making great albums. What do you think of that?
A. We still see a lot of albums out there, but realise the world has changed - we always try to make a record of great songs from start to finish, but I can see that it punishes people who used to make a record of one or two singles and a load of filler...
Q. Are you interested in new bands/musicians and do you help them finding there way in the music industry?
A. Of course - the best thing we can do is invite good bands out to tour with us, which is what we have always done.
Q. Are there already plans for Album #5?
A. No - we are still touring album 4!
Q. Which countries, you haven't been, would you like to visit?
A. I'd like to go back to China, and play more places there, plus New Zealand, and some of the countries we have missed in South America, like Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela… I also think we should go to Hawaii, and I'd love to play in Alaska!
Q. Does having children and getting married affect the songwriting and the subjects you write about?
A. Life certainly does contribute to what Tim writes about, so I'd say yes.
Q. We know Tom is a brilliant songwriter from the song Closer Now and Jesse from his time with the Mets and Mt. Desolation. But why are all the Keane songs written by Tim?
A. Tom has never sent a song round that he wants us to do, but who knows what might happen in the future.
Q. Which venue you have played is your favourite and why?
That's an almost impossible question, but lots of the early shows hold very fond memories - the first Glastonbury, for example.
Again, many thanks for the opportunity!
No probs. Thanks for a great set of questions.
Comments (39)
Bolivia, June, July 2013. Would be GREAT!!!
did you say : ECUADOR!!!??? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE WAITING!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!
haha good questions! but I miss the mini doc is super. mmm I be strange to see that Richard said countries are those that have But Colombia! since 2009 have not been Please strangeland tour Colombia 2013 keane love thanks
This is great. Good questions and nice answers!!
A lot of artists nowadays are just doing a "Fillers album". Salute to Keane, their albums are pure music with loads of substance. Thank you for that. That's just we need....
A lot of artists nowadays are just doing a "Fillers album". Dalue to Keane, their albums are pure music with loads of substance. Thank you for that. That's just we need....
i say you thank for you and you wish all the happiness that you hope***lot of love ****kisses to all
Great interview!! I love you Rich!
NO LO PUEDO CREERLO!!! RICHARD SAID THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME TO ECUADOR WAAAAAA A DREAM COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE COME TO ECUADOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =''D
Aww, Rich, you sound really happy and loving your touring. It's good to be healthy. I have quite a few records which were 'one or two good singles and a load of filler'- the Oasis albums after Morning Glory for a start, and the last Razorlight album. I'm also going to stick my neck out and put Abbey Road in this category as well.
back to China is a good idea. Please come for tour ~~~
@Frederique: you're hilarious! ;D on the contrary, chocolate does give me energy however, i do workout as much as I can! :)
What a coincidence! After the Paris' gig I was thinking : What is their secret? Three gigs in a row and still so much energy on stage! I have the answer : no chocolate and working out. Now I know how to train before the next concert; because I can tell you that after jumping, singing, and clapping hands during the entire gig, I was exausted !!!!. Thanks for the questions/ the answers and the tips! Frédérique
Thank you, KEANE Nederland as most of my questions have been answered by the ever sweet and articulate Richard!!! Take all the rest you needed, luvs!!! Have fun in Spain! *hugs & kisses* from Belgium
Very interesting interview, Rich is always have something great to say. Beijos, Regina.
We are still waiting for 'Jesse Answers 50 Fan Questions' will it ever come?
WOOOOOH! thanks for answering my question!! the gig in A'dam was awesome! :-) HOLLAND LOVES YOU GUYS! Kissesss!
Ciao Richard, davvero simpatiche ed interessanti le tue risposte, mi ha colpita tanto quella dove dici che vi piacerebbe esibirvi accompagnati da un'orchestra sinfonica e che ti è piaciuta la sessione di iTunes con gli archi, è vero , danno un tocco ancora più intimo e magico ai vostri concerti! Sarebbe molto emozionante vedervi esibire con l'orchestra!Un grande saluto da Sabrina from Catania!
NO NO NO! Why does no one ever want to come to Mongolia! It's one of those forgotten countries...
ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA!! HAHA QUE PESADA AJAJ ♥♥♥♥TE AMO TANTO TOMY!!! GOOD LUCK KEANE!!!
great!!!!! thanks keane!!!!♥♥PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE ARGENTINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE :D OLEEEEEEEEEE OLE OLE OLE KEANEEEEEEE KEANEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU FOR EVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MELYZURI!
ISA, from Brasil, Sao Paulo **** Great and inspired questions and great and inspired answears, thank you, guys! Lots of love! XXXXXXXX
¡¡¡¡¡¡RICHARD REGRESEN A MEXICO PLEASE ♥ ♥ ♥ I LOVE KEANE :)
Very well the questions!! South America? Argentina PLEASE!!! :D ;)
I CAN¨T STOP NOW:::: PLEASE COME FROM COLOMBIA
PLEASE KEANE IN COLOMBIA!
YEAH COLOMBIA WAITS FOR KEANE!
I almost forgot the most important : un grand grand merci for UNDER PRESSURE...It was great !!!!
Ok, now I know the responsable of my desappointment yesterday night...You are not a good boy Tom ! You shoud have chosen ATLANTIC for the setlist !!! But the band played really well as usually, even if you 4 looked tired. And Richard, what a pleasure to see you after the show. You are really nice with your fans. I hope you had rest today. A bientôt
COLOMBIA WAITS FOR KEANE!!!!!
AHHHH, Richard you´ve just made my day with that answer, We bolivian Fans are hoping and it would be a dream come true to see you guys play , although many Bolivian Fans went to Paraguay just to see you a lot of us are still dreaming . PLEASE COME TO BOLIVIAAA !!!! kisses and hugs from Alejandra
Saludos desde ECUADOR!!! GRACIAS por su increible música!!!
Has dicho ECUADOR??? Creo que voy a desmayarme. Sería increible!!!!! Un sueño hecho realidad!!!
Even before this question came up, I could imagine Bruce Springsteen singing the song Strangeland.
Thank you for these questions and answers! I liked the family-related question. The best lyrics come from experience and feelings, and Keane demonstrates that without a doubt. That's why most of us can see YOU and ourselves in every track! Thank you, guys! You rock! Cheers from Colombia! ;-)
European tours or north american tours are averrated, latin america should be next! ahhahha
Great questions and answers!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are the best KEANE, and please come to Costa Rica!!!
great questions and great answers! Tell tim to take the video camera this time, we love those crazy docs! Hope to see you soon in buenos aires!
Great questions and answers, Richard. Hope you guys are having fun!
