Franz Foodinand (I know: it’s bad)

I‘ve liked Franz Ferdinand since I first heard Darts of Pleasure a couple of years ago, but after this weekend, they’ve settled into an even cozier section of my heart. I was listening to the syndicated radio show the Splendid Table on my local NPR station. This is one of my favorite reasons for owning a radio. My brother Craig introduced me to the food show a year ago saying “it doesn’t matter what it is, the way the host speaks just makes me want to eat anything she talks about it.” I tuned in soon after and understood immediately. I’ve since been hooked. When the host, Lynne Rossetto Kaspar, discusses recipes or restaurants, she imbues each word with the comfort of creamy mashed potatoes. It’s almost like she’s describing a Calgon bath or a luxurious spa treatment. And Craig’s right: it doesn’t matter what she’s talking about.

Anyway, this weekend Lynne interviewed Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos. As it turns out, he’s somewhat of a foodie. Since touring with the band, he’s had the opportunity to try many different local cuisines from around the world and his palate seems quite adventurous; perhaps, as discussed on the show, this is due to having a Greek father and growing up in Haggis Central. At some point, the Guardian tapped Alex to write some food articles about the places he’s been. The articles must have been stimulating enough that a book seemed inevitable and that book, Sound Bites: Eating on Tour with Franz Ferdinand, came out earlier this month. I never imagined I’d hear Franz Ferdinand discussed on NPR, at least not the band, let alone on a food show, and Alex came across as rather charming and down-to-earth.

If you get a chance, listen to the Splendid Table. Here’s a link to this past weekend’s episode: January 13th, 2007

Buy the book from the NPR store.

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