Accidental President

The title Greedland immediately paints a picture of a society driven by wealth and status. Can you talk about the ideas and observations that shaped the song's lyrics and message?

We've clearly always lived in a world of the haves & the have nots, but given the nature of technology & social media it's never been more apparent. Over time I've reflected on how, having been born into a world that teaches us to learn from history—the futility of war, the pillage of the planet, the need to improve as a society & have respect for one another—that things seem to have gone backward in many ways.

Greedland was inspired by that, the title resembling the name of a country in the news recently, but definitely a song written to rock out to rather than be over-analysed, as that gets away from the music.

Throughout your career, Accidental President has balanced hard-hitting rock with commentary on social and cultural issues. How do you approach writing songs that are thought-provoking without becoming overly preachy?

You only have to switch on the TV to see the world is full of opinions. But it does seem that whilst art & music is a valid form of expression to address the world in which we live, the term preachy can find itself bandied about—sometimes unfairly.

I recently read about a politician telling a musician to go back to singing songs purely for daring to give an opinion. But it's like—hold on—you weren't born to rule & they weren't born to be a jester.

I think the difference between thought-provoking & preachy—and it's something we've taken care with over the years—is to try to observe & convey without attacking or endorsing, leaving it to the listener to reflect upon—or not! Mondegreens show that many people don't care what the lyrics are as long as they can sing along!

The press release references everything from billionaires and the Panama Papers to cryptocurrency scandals and the Epstein Files. How much of Greedland is a direct response to current events, and how much is a broader reflection on human nature?

I guess it's a mix of everything. The terms in the press release are sound bites of the day to a certain degree, but none of this has happened overnight.

As I mentioned earlier, for me it's a case that, having reflected on a situation, I felt the need to express myself in the way I know best. The opening line of the song probably sums it all up: "I had a picture of a brighter future!"

But the song is upbeat with lush harmony & intended to invoke a rallying cry that we can continue to make a stand & do better.

The upcoming album King Cnut takes its name from a ruler often associated with the limits of power and control. What drew you to that concept, and how does it connect to the themes explored across the record?

No questions about guitars & gear I suppose? Haha.

Just like naming a band, when you come to name an album you start out with all sorts of ideas & hone in on one you feel fits the bill. The name Accidental President was inspired by a font name & a subsequent conversation about what would make the best kind of leader.

Finding ourselves in a time where cults of personality somehow dominate even though we're now aware of the phenomenon, I felt the story of King Cnut sits well across the themes being explored—the story being of a humble leader who recognises the limitations of his power & demonstrates that to his many mistaken followers.

Accidental President has weathered lineup changes, a global pandemic and more than a decade of shifting music industry trends. Looking back on that journey, what have been the biggest lessons you've learned about perseverance and creativity?

If you're that way inclined, the creativity side of things takes care of itself. If you're driven to do anything in life, I feel you just have to get on & do it, because not doing it really isn't an option.

That's not to underestimate the dedication, time & energy it takes, along with the need to remain focused on moving forward in the face of setbacks. But the joy of creating & the positive reaction from people who connect with what you're doing overcome all that.

I saw an interview with Fish (ex-Marillion) who said he's written many songs every bit as good as Kayleigh over the years, but because of the nature of the music beast they haven't been heard by such a large audience. His point was that you do what you need to do—and they're still great songs out there for all time.

So for me, you have to be writing, recording & doing whatever you do for yourself primarily & not worry about the rest.

One of the most striking stories in your press material is about your grandfather greeting people by saying, "Shake hands with a millionaire," because of the value he placed on family and friendship. How does that philosophy relate to Greedland, and has your own definition of success changed over the years?

That man was my Grandad—a good man from what feels like a very different time now. He was on the books for West Bromwich Albion long before football became the multi-million-dollar industry it is today, but had to give it up to work at a foundry in order to bring up his young family.

Having him as an influence helped me reflect on what's important in life. Whilst that's not to say we shouldn't chase our dreams, it is good to keep things in proportion.

I saw Robert Smith from The Cure talking recently about how he battles with various corporations to get things priced reasonably for fans, & then I always come back to Gene Simmons from KISS saying he formed a band to "get laid and make lots of money." It made me laugh—I'm sure that's the intent for some—but that never crossed my mind.

I just fell in love with the guitar & got addicted to getting lost in music. Although I'd love Accidental President to continue growing & resonating, that core ethos has never really changed.