Photo: Wenn
Frank Turner has waded into the row between MP Chris Bryant and singer/songwriter James Blunt over classism in the arts.
If you aren't up to date with the goings on between Bryant and Blunt, the gist is that in an interview after being appointed Labour's new shadow culture minister, Bryant called for more class diversity in all aspects of the arts. In an article in The Guardian, he was quoted as saying: "we can’t just have a culture dominated by Eddie Redmayne and James Blunt and their ilk" - as both come from priviledged backgrounds, Redmayne having attended Eton and Blunt schooled at Harrow.
Blunt then hit back with an open letter to Bryant - which can be read here. In it he scathingly details that his upper class background actually hindered his gateway to the music business, and that Bryant simply preaches "politics of jealousy".
In an interview with London newspaper The Metro, Frank Turner was asked about the whole argument. When asked if he had been following the argument, Turner said: "Yes. I think James Blunt had a couple of good points but made some obvious clangers as well." He also detailed what he thought of Bryant as well, saying: "I'm absolutely no fan of Chris Bryant....He's a professional politician, privately educated himself so that was all a bit pot and kettle."
When asked if he thought rich people in the arts were at an advantage, Turner said: "James Blunt's point that rock is one field where having a public school background counts against you was a good one: the music industry is full of people who would call me a c**t because of where I was educated. And they do. Often." Turner was also educated at Eton but insistt that he "hated every second of being there with every fibre of being. I got a great education for which I'll be eternally grateful but it was full of pricks". He also emphasised: "I believe passionately that the arts should be open to everybody."
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls are also set to play a show at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust on 29 March, ahead of the release of Turner's new album this summer. To buy tickets, click here.
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