Frank Turner’s latest release ‘NO MAN’S LAND’ (out now) has entered the UK album charts at #3, the highest new entry and Turner’s fourth consecutive UK Top 5 album release. Released via Xtra Mile Recordings/Polydor Records, ‘No Man’s Land’ – Turner’s eighth solo album – is produced by Catherine Marks (The Big Moon, Wolf Alice, Foals) and features an all-female cast of musicians. With a UK headline tour running across November – including sold-out shows at Southampton’s O2 Guildhall on November 25 and London’s Alexandra Palace Theatre on November 30 and December 3, 2019 – the new album arrives alongside the ninth episode of Frank’s successful 13 part podcast series ‘Tales From No Man’s Land’, which debuted at #2 on the Apple UK chart. Stream the new podcast episode here, and watch a live performance of Radio X play-listed single ‘Sister Rosetta’, featuring an all-female band of Charlotte Hatherley (guitar), Gill Sandell (keys), Andrea Goldsworthy (bass) and Holly Madge (drums) here.
‘No Man’s Land’ is dedicated throughout to the vital stories of women whose lives have all too often been overlooked by dint of their gender. “It’s bringing together my two main interests in life, which have always been separate from each other – history and songwriting,” explains Turner.
In ‘The Lioness’, the latest episode in ‘Tales From No Man’s Land’, Frank studies the life of pioneering Egyptian feminist Huda Sha’arawi. Born in 1879 and raised in Egypt’s traditional harem system, Huda still acquired a wide-ranging education which fed into her growing passion for activism. Returning to Cairo station from a women’s conference in Europe in 1922, Huda became internationally well-known when she removed the face veil previously worn by all women within the harem system. It was a radical move which initiated the steady change in convention for both the perception and place of women in Egyptian society. Remaining a committed feminist activist, Huda Sha’arawai also went on to form both the Egyptian Feminist Union in 1923 and the Arab Feminist Union in 1945.
Hailing from across wide geographical and historical lines, the women ‘No Man’s Land’ pays tribute to include Byzantine nun Kassiani (The Hymn of Kassiani)& Resusci Anne (Rescue Annie) an apocryphal drowned virgin whose face was used as the model for the medical CPR mannequin. There’s the serial killer from the Deep South who plucked her victims from lonely hearts pages (Nannie Doss), the jazz-obsessed heiress who fought for the Free French (Nica Rothschild), a coach house landlady from 17th century Camden accused of witchcraft (Jinny Bingham), and the vaudeville star shot by a small-town outlaw (Dora Hand). ‘No Man’s Land’ also includes perhaps the most revelatory song of Turner’s career. Written in tribute to his mother, Rosemary Jane honours her grit and determination through the harder parts of his childhood.
Turner’s companion podcast (produced in collaboration with Somethin’ Else) takes a deep dive into each song. Released every week through to late September, it sees Turner talking to historians and experts at places important to the women on the record. “I’m not someone who believes in the supernatural, but there’s definitely an imprint when you’re at the place that was important to them,” says Turner. “It feels like a nice honouring, and a way to say ‘hey, we’re still thinking about you’.” The podcast is available from Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Acast, alongside all other platforms.
Frank will play new material from ‘No Man’s Land’ across a 9 date UK headline tour, including two sold-out dates at London’s Alexandra Palace Theatre on November 30 and December 3, 2019. The tour will see Turner put a new twist on his formidable live set up, featuring a solo set followed by an unplugged band performance in seated venues.
UK HEADLINE TOUR
22 November DUMFERMLINE Alhambra Theatre
24 November CARDIFF St David’s Hall
25 November SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall SOLD OUT
26 November MANCHESTER Opera House
27 November NEWCASTLE O2 City Hall
29 November BEXHILL De La Warr Pavilion
30 November LONDON Alexandra Palace Theatre SOLD OUT
1 December BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
3 December LONDON Alexandra Palace Theatre SOLD OUT
For tickets, head to https://store.frank-turner.com/
