IT is an album The LaFontaines thought would by no means see the sunshine of day, however now it’s Enterprise As Standard for the Motherwell musicians.
When the pandemic shut down the music trade, singer Kerr Okan was prepared to surrender.
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However then drummer Jamie Keenan despatched him the thought for title monitor Enterprise As Standard for the brand new document and so they had been again with a bang.
Kerr, 35, stated: “I’m simply buzzing to be again with a brand new album and to be at this level as a result of post-pandemic I didn’t suppose we might be right here.
“Previous to Covid, we had simply had our first High 40, we had been touring Asia and throughout Europe, we had been getting good numbers on Spotify and we had a label behind us.
“We had been 12 years in at that time and it felt like lastly we may do that full-time — it was superb.”
However he added: “When the world stopped it was like each doable manner that we may make cash was simply gone. I fell out with music massive fashion, and I used to be feeling like binning it fully till Jamie, a few yr and a half into it, despatched me a tune.
“In a really clichéd style, it was form of like, I couldn’t not write to it.“That then began the entire course of that led to the place we are actually, the place it grew to become Enterprise As Standard.
“Which is why the album known as that — it’s similar to, oh nicely, f*** it, we’re again.”
Now 15 years into their music journey, Kerr, Jamie, 34, and 33-year-old guitarist Darren McCaughey have an immediately recognisable sound and a fiercely loyal fanbase.
And the brand new album, their fourth, is filled with energetic tracks which have an actual summer time sound.
Kerr, who’s married to TV presenter Storm Huntley, 37, says: “Everybody has been saying it’s received a summery vibe, it’s dancey and upbeat, which is good as a result of it’s, in essence, fairly a darkish document.
“Lyrically it’s fairly a juxtaposition. So I’m trying ahead to having all people bouncing about to my trauma.”
Whereas the music is likely to be darkish in locations, Kerr has purpose to be cheerful as he grew to become a dad in 2022.
Son Otis will flip two this summer time and he’s relocated to London, the place spouse Storm movies her personal each day Channel 5 present.
He stated: “Life’s modified fairly a bit. I’ve received a son now, I’m in London, so we’re away from one another as a band, however after we do get collectively for a gig or a pageant, in a short time it falls again into what it all the time is and I really feel like that’s how we’ve managed to maintain being a band.
“We’re simply three buddies that really like one another’s firm, that simply so occur to make music.
“The factor you do essentially the most is spend time with one another. The factor you do the least is play and write music.
“So that you’re all the time in a van or on a aircraft collectively, or sitting backstage — you actually do want to love one another’s firm.
“Being hungover collectively is an actual take a look at. For those who like someone whenever you’re hungover, they have to be your pal.”
Jamie added: “Earlier than Kerr lived in London, I used to be in his home each single day however I’m certain as quickly as we begin touring, it’ll be enterprise as standard.
“I can nonetheless go right down to Kerr’s bit every single day, however his mum and his gran don’t make me chortle as a lot — they’re possibly a bit higher at rapping although.”
Having Otis additionally makes the logistics of being in a band extra tough for Kerr.
He stated: “I must be far more environment friendly than ever earlier than, as a result of my time is extra finite. Even with a day of interviews, the quantity of scheduling that should occur within the background by way of who’s watching the newborn or who’s choosing him up.
“We don’t have any household right here. So after I’m going away, we have now to work out how childcare’s taking place. Earlier than you even kick a ball, a lot must be thought-about.
“Earlier than, the band got here at first but it surely simply can’t have that precedence any extra so I must be actually environment friendly with my time.
“By way of my life place, I’m in a vastly totally different place. However due to the loyalty I’ve had with them for one of the best a part of my life, there’s only a loyalty there that I’ll make it work.” And being a dad has led to bonkers new concept for gigs — with the band’s first comfortable play live performance being held earlier this month.
Kerr reckons it might be the future for music-loving dad and mom.
He stated: “I make the music and I need to play it, and I need to nonetheless be a dad that rocks.
“However for me, childcare continues to be a problem, the price of it, who’s watching them, the time exhibits occur at night time. So I believed, nicely, it’s the identical for folks who need to go to the gigs.”
Jamie jokes: “It genuinely might be how we begin touring to any extent further. The tour might be in bouncy castles, Blair Drummond Safari Park and Butlin’s.”
In reality, the band will probably be heading out on the highway in September to play the brand new album throughout the UK.
Jamie stated: “I’m simply actually excited to have music out once more. We actually, actually just like the songs that we’ve been engaged on. And taking part in stay to folks is such a proper good buzz.”
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Kerr added: “The one purpose this band continues to be a factor is as a result of I completely love music. I like the music we make and I like taking part in stay.”
Enterprise As Standard is out now and the band are touring the UK in September. See thelafontaines.co.uk for tickets.
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