The Rakes: Interview

The Rakes: Interview

"It is about going out, having a drink and smoking cigarettes, and there's always a girl – all universal themes of The Rakes vocabulary. Having said that, maybe it's time for a change…"

Alan Donohue, The Rakes' lead singer, is walking back across an East End pub, true to type, to pick up the Rushdie he has left on the table. He's been here all day, but is curious and engaging as he settles down aslant to explain about his band's new album, Klang. Recorded in Berlin, away from the London scene framed by Blairism and The Libertines they sprung from five years ago, it is at once a departure from aspects of their musical landscape and a return to others.

He aptly fits both definitions of rakish and is wide-eyed and animated as conversation turns to the German capital chosen to create the new record. "Do you cycle?" he enquires, ever picking at details. "Berlin is good to cycle around because the atmosphere is so comfortable and there are lots of things you would only capture that way – the best mode of transport for Berlin.

Never mind the bike lanes, how did it shape the record? "It's a bit like Amsterdam with a more subversive edge and darker history. It suited the sound of the album, but we were going that way anyway, pretty rough around the edges. We all agreed on David Bowie and Iggy Pop; the music they made in Berlin, it hasn't aged, it is just very innovative. Lyrically, I left spaces in the songs intentionally for Berlin to fill the gaps."

This predetermined move resulted in lead single 1989 as well as numerous other snippets – but did it work? "I'm glad how that turned out," Alan said. "When I'm writing a song I don't want it to turn into an essay, but it is always good to research."Yet he isn't the meticulous devourer of pop culture his lyrics of distorted city life often suggest. "I didn't read literature, non-fiction for ages. I'm forcing myself to read proper books," he admits. "You're a human, you should watch films and read books just for fun. I guess I get bored quickly. I want to know everything about something then go on to the next thing."

Perhaps this lack of patience results in the snappy, concise nature of The Rakes music – Klang clocks in under half an hour. "Yeah, maybe," he nods, uttering words softly, but canny and incisive in his speech. "That could be why they're a bit stripped, not massive monologues. You won't find massive solos. We all keep an eye on each other to make sure we don't get self-indulgent."

Nevertheless, it must be tempting for Alan to show off, elaborate to illustrate that he is more than another indie singer, that he has points to make. "I enjoy talking about myself. It tricks you into thinking you're getting noticed, a false sense of importance. It's better than not being noticed." Still, he explains he "wanted to make the album even shorter if anything – it's only 29 minutes as it is".

There is a noticeable slide away from the rat race lifestyle that informed the likes of 22 Grand Job on their debut record, as well as the post-terrorism paranoia that hovered around their sophomore effort. Yet images of one night stands and drinking sessions are still conjured, was there a plan to this? "We write about normal, mundane things and give them an angle. Bloke who lives next door, Tuesday afternoon, at work – not that exciting. But is there something else there? It's mundane reality mixed with escapism, but we screw things up, chuck a few spanners in, take it up a notch."The Rakes do have real ideas, so it seems strange to see them sustain their direction - there must be grander plans, lyrically at least? "This album might be it for trying to write normal, working life," Alan ponders. "Maybe it's time for a change. Though, what would I write about? Arcade Fire, apocalyptic, Bible-bashing? I don't know what else to write about - maybe a leopard can't change its spots."

Many fans of the group will be pleased to hear they aren't changing tack too drastically; observation of the extraordinary in the ordinary is still Alan's focus. He hasn't even had time to ponder what he wants from Klang. "I haven't thought about expectations for the album. Our job is to write the songs – I don't know how to answer that. I hope anyone interested in hearing it gets to."

People who are keen to listen to it may also want to take in some advice from The Rakes, who, as Alan admits, "are veterans now, three albums in. "Advice to the young whippersnappers? There's a book on the web by called How Music Really Works by someone called Wayne Chase – funny name, I don't know his qualifications. That was interesting. Read that."