Kyle Meredith with... Jim Kerr (Simple Minds)

Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr on Reaching Into Their Past, Collaborating with Russell Mael of Sparks, & Having 90s Grunge Turn Their Critical Tides

Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Directions Of The Heart, the band’s 19th studio album. The frontman tells us about reaching into their past for songs like Act Of Love (which was the first song they played at their first show in 1978, but never recorded) and being inspired by Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Television, and Talking Heads. Kerr also discusses his friendship with Spark’s Russell Mael, who guests on a track, being a generation-defining band, only to have Nirvana and Pearl Jam turn their critical tides, and the backstory on 1998’s Neapolis.

[KyleMeredith]

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[scottinglis]

What a great interview. Was really glad to hear you touch on the Neapolis album which is one I love as well and really enjoy going back to from time to time. That era of Simple Minds fascinates me - when they were almost rebuilding again. The Cry album is another of around that time I think is really under rated.

[tconstantine]

Great interview. & I concur re. Neapolis. Love the feel of it. A lot of that is attributable to Peter Walsh’s nuanced production. But the album features some of Jim’s best vocal work. Tones down the theatrics. Maybe it was the uncertainty of the band’s future circa late 90’s, but a real vulnerability to the recording. I find myself going back to it more often than not.