QH: Jim – welcome to Doha! This is a new city for you guys isn’t it? JK: Yes, it will be our first time performing in Doha at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. We’ve heard so many great things about Doha and how refined it is, so I’m looking forward to exploring and discovering the city while we’re there. QH: Walk us back through the decades to the root of Simple Minds? JK: Simple Minds essentially are a band that started at school. We were school friends and have known each other since we were eight years-old. We started hanging out with each other and playing and listening to music…and that’s how it all started. QH: What’s in the line-up for your Qatar Masters show? JK: We hope to deliver an amazing gig and we look forward to playing all our classic hits. The crowd can expect a great, energetic show. QH: You’ve been on the circuit lately with your Big World Tour 2015. How is it? JK: Yes, it’s just finished and it was wonderful. We played all over Europe, did a dozen gigs in the UK. We changed the sets, kept it fresh and made a lot of people happy. QH: During the 80’s when you guys were just starting to achieve commercial success, was there a bit of competition for the charts with other mega-bands of that era – U2 or Duran Duran for example?
JK: I don’t believe there was competition. We were competing perhaps for space on radios, on TV, and in record shops. We were competing in the marketplace but not directly, because we were often working together and touring and we would meet with those bands. We could identify with them as we were all in the same boat. QH: When we think of Simple Minds, we have to break out the soundtrack to The Breakfast Club. ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ is such an iconic track – and one that made you guys a household name. Does it still carry a lot of meaning for you all these years later – or do you eventually tire of performing it? JK: It never gets old. It always sounds good. It’s a feel-good song where the production doesn’t feel dated. So if you combine that with the fact that it almost doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to an entire generation and that is what makes it such an iconic song. You want to play it and you want to do it great for the crowds. QH: If you were to write a song that would reflect the state of the world’s current troubles, what would you call it and what kind of a message would you want to put out there? JK: Something like ‘These Are The Times We Are Living’. Every time and period has its own troubles and challenges…it’s not always good – especially during hard times. But life is wonderful and you don’t have to be a king or a billionaire to feel that way. So yes maybe something like that. QH: Now let’s get the cliché question out of the way. Do you have a favourite song you’ve written? JK: I don’t have a favourite song as we’ve written hundreds and each one is special. QH: In three words, how do you feel when you head out on-stage? JK: That’s a tough one…Three words did you say? How about I give you two? Two words: very lucky. QH: If you had to pick a Simple Mind’s track to dedicate to a world leader, which song would you choose and what would it be called? JK: We’ve already done that. We dedicated a song to Nelson Mandela who is no longer with us. We called it ‘Mandela Day’.
JK: Well, like I mentioned I love wide open spaces. I go to the countryside in Scotland or Italy and you’ll usually find me hiking and walking there. I also like to spend time with friends and family and with my kids. You know…all the normal stuff. I like cooking – really like it actually – and it’s not something I get to do when we are on the road, so I enjoy that. QH: Of all the countries you’ve traveled to ontour, which ones stole your heart? JK: Japan; I go there a lot actually – and Italy. I visited the first time when I was a school kid from Glasgow and I’ve been attached to it ever since. QH: Can fans expect a forthcoming new album release? Are you guys back in the studio? JK: We are actually. We are working on new music and we were in the studio the other day. I think it’s so important to write a new chapter because it revitalizes everything. If you don’t, there’s a chance you would calcify and become one of those ‘museum bands’ – and we don’t want that to happen. As for the release of this new album…we’re hoping to release it in early 2017. QH: Simple Minds has had a long career over the last 38 years with more than a few defining moments. Can you name one? JK: I’d have to say our number one hit in America – ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’. QH: As performers you guys live in the spotlight. Turning the tables a little bit, do you ever get star-struck by the artists you’ve met and worked with? JK: Yes of course. At the end of the day I am also a fan and, initially, it was all new to me – but I haven’t been for a while. QH: How’s life on the road? Is it something that you’re still enjoying, or is it just part of the job? JK: It’s both really. It’s what we wanted to do with our lives. Nothing gives us more pleasure than performing live – but it’s a job as well. It’s months in advance of work and preparations and we put our lives on hold to go and do it. It’s the obligation that comes with the job, but at the end of the day it’s our passion. What we do – it’s called playing music. Simple Minds Live In Concert
QH: You and your band-mates have performed together for a very long time. Are you all still the closest of friends? JK: Yes we’re very good friends – I think you have to be. In our band you would have to be because that’s the way it is – it’s not just a job. You always see each other and you look after each other. We are definitely good friends, and in some cases great friends. QH: What else fuels your life’s passion when you’re not touring or recording?
Date: Friday, January 29 Location: Qatar Golf Club, Public Village Timings: Shows starts at 7:00 p.m. Contact Info: For more information visit www.qatar-masters.com Social Media: • Facebook – www.facebook.com/ CommercialBankQatarMasters • Twitter – @CBQatarMasters • Hashtag – #MyCBQatarMasters
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