Thomas Krane on 'Bone Tower' brilliance

How would you say you have grown and developed since your debut album in 2009?

I was really just starting out as a song writer then, mucking about with a guitar and a mike, and I'd only just started to be comfortable singing - I've had five or six years to sink into it now - it feels far more natural - both the musicianship and the song writing.

You are a self-taught musician; how has that influenced your sound and style?

Music for me has always been trial and error. On the downside this means everything takes a lot longer to develop and master than a trained musician, but the converse is that the sounds I make are unmistakably my own - I can't sound like anyone else because I just don't know how.

Your first album seemed to be a very personally inspired album. Would you say the same can be said for your second one?

I've been writing to a character since I began writing songs. Thomas Krane is an imagined being whose story has developed over time. It allows me to deal lyrically with emotional material beyond my own experience. So the music on both albums does feel very personal - but, while some of it is most definitely inspired by my experience, most of it is tied to his back story - the lines are somewhat blurred.

What was the recording process like on 'Bone Tower'?

It's been really relaxed. The producer/engineer, Dirk Hugo, is a rare find - he is a skilled producer with a nice studio who also just does this for the love of it. This has meant we have taken our time over the last nine months to make the best of these songs. I don't think I could have done the general 'rushed in and out' studio experience that most bands have.

Why such a lengthy break between albums?

Music is a hobby. I squeeze in the time in-between work and life. It's a wonderful hobby - and I will keep doing it forever, but this unfortunately means the process is very slow.

By far my favourite song is Small Things.Could you please explain the inspiration and meaning behind that song?

The song deals with disappointment and alienation, and the perception of broken promises.

Where will you be touring for the new album launch?

The launch show - which is going to be a huge one, with a nine-piece band playing every element of the album, is on Friday, 18 September in Cape Town. Details/ tickets at www.citysoiree.co.za. After that I am planning a national tour - look out for details!

What's next?

I'm currently writing a masters thesis - so that's going to get a lot of focus for the rest of the year. In terms of next for music - my long-term plan is to casually release a quality album of music every five or so years, and then retire early and spend my twilight years touring the world.

Quick-fire questions

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you read the following words?:

Porridge: Childhood memory - watching my grandpa dipping each spoonful in salt on the way to his mouth.
Tasers: The worst noise. Gives me shivers.
Taylor Swift: There's not a deep feeling you've had she hasn't sung a song about it.
Manatees: Odd survival-of-the-fittest candidates.

Buy 'Bone Tower' on iTunes

The album launch will be on 18 September at the New Space Theatre, 22Seven Headquarters, 60 Hout Street, Cape Town, at 9pm. Pledge/purchase tickets at www.citysoiree.co.za.

www.thomaskrane.com