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The Kooks' Luke Pritchard on heartbreaking discovery - 'it unlocked memories'

The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard opens up about his new single and the treasure-trove of home videos featuring his dad that he discovered

[Luke Pritchard ]

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Luke Pritchard opens up about his late dad

The Kooks star Luke Pritchard has told how he was left floored after discovering unseen home videos of himself with his late father who died when he was just three years old.

The frontman said the tapes, dropped off by his mum, revealed moments he never knew existed, including footage of his father teaching him how to use a microphone, play guitar and pose like a rock star.

The discovery gave new meaning to See Me Now, a song originally on the bands 2014 album Listen, which the band is re-releasing from their O2 Arena show last year. Director Julien Temple is behind the new video, which is using the footage.

My mum basically dropped off a load of tapes of me and my dad that Id never seen. It was like a time capsule experience, Pritchard said. There are videos of him literally teaching me to use a microphone, play guitar, pose like a rock star, all when I was three. It unlocked a lot of memories. I was so young, I hadnt realised it happened. His dad was a musician who supported the Rolling Stones before moving into fashion.

[Luke Pritchard, lead singer of the Kooks at V Festival]

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The Kooks are riding high (Image: BPM Media)

On the track, Pritchard addresses his father directly, reflecting on the years that have passed before asking the question, Would you be proud? He has said the song has taken on an even deeper significance since becoming a father himself. Theres been a new meaning in that song for me since having kids. I realised that music was the connection to my dad, he said. And the fan reaction has been humbling sometimes a song just has its time.

He added: This live version weve chosen from the O2 was a particularly special performance, he said. I didnt actually think I would be able to finish the song. My mum and sister were in the audience. I just thought how much this would blow his mind - that I played the song to that many people in London.

He added that the response from fans has been overwhelming, particularly from those who, like him, lost a parent at a young age. When I grew up I didn't know many people that had lost a parent so young, Pritchard said. Ive just had so many people contact me and talk to me about their stories.

The release marks the start of a milestone year for The Kooks, who will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Inside In/Inside Out with a series of major summer shows.

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