Playing a final gig on home turf, which sends the crowd into a flush of near-religious genuflection, is enough to soften even the most hardened of rock stars. So it is not surprising that Detroit Social Club opted to spending post-final gig time at Newcastle’s Evolution Festival surrounded by family and friends, but luckily, that was not entirely the case.
In an impromptu interview which gave us little time to negotiate the delicate art of irritated frontman-handling, Detroit Social Club’s David Burn agreed to discuss his future plans, but only in the time it took him to smoke a cigarette. No pressure then.
Hi David, so final gig as Detroit Social Club, how are you feeling about it?
It went really well. I was a bit emotional, especially when we played our final song, Northern Man. It was very important to us to have all our family and friends there supporting us. My little girl was at the side of the stage and she was dancing away, singing along to all the songs.
What’s next for you?
I want to get back into the producing side of things which is something I have always loved. That’s how the band started. I have been offered loads of work and there are lots of bands who want me to work with them.
What kind of work have you been offered?
Wait and see. At the moment I’m working on something called Your Other Lover and a band who is managed by the people who used to have Hit Records, they have just changed their name to Fractures and are absolutely class, like MGMT crossed with Suede.
So that is the immediate plan, do you have any long-term ambitions?
I would like to get into pop-song writing, maybe write songs for people like The Saturdays and Rihanna. To be honest, I just want to sell out.
Is that really what you want to do?
Yes, The Saturdays and Rihanna, aim for the stars. Then I will be sat here in a year’s time, backstage at the Evolution Festival with a million in my bank because I will have written for Rihanna. Actually, in reality, I will probably write songs for a shit boy band that don’t get anywhere and are dropped after one record.
Do you see Detroit Social Club reforming at any point?
Who’s to know, I don’t like to think that far ahead.
Thoughts on the Evolution Festival?
It’s very easy to think negatively about the bands and artists on the line-up, but compare it to what they had when it first started. This year it has three of the biggest chart stars in the past year in Example, Plan B and Tinie Tempah, and people like the kills and the Stooges, which is brilliant both for the festival and the city. It’s definitely better to have it than not have it.
What do you think about the local bands on the line-up?
I think that Mammal Club are brilliant, I love them, and Vinyl Jacket are great. I like the way the festival acts as a platform for local bands to showcase their music in front of people who wouldn’t necessarily go to see them. It would be great for the city’s local music scene if a band like Mammal Club can get a slot on the main stage next year playing alongside more established bands and artists.
Do you see yourself collaborating with or helping local bands and artists?
Possibly, if they want to collaborate with me and have done an interesting song and want me to mix it up, produce it, then I will be well up for it, absolutely. I really want to help local bands and you never know what’s round the corner.
Words by Louise Brown
