Jim Adkins on Jimmy Eat World, Cyndi Lauper and going solo

Known for his melancholy pop rock sensibilities, Adkins premiered his first solo single, I Will Go, in July.

The song marked the beginning of a single series which saw the Jimmy Eat World frontman release six acoustic tracks, including a cover Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want To Have Fun, in July and August.

Adkins' is clear that his decision to go solo is only a temporary measure but says it was time to try something new.

He said: "We've been working really hard as a band for a long time and we got into one particular pattern and I felt that it was time to take a break away just from the sheer amount of touring we've been doing.

"If we do things the same way we're going to get the same results. By saying that I'm not saying that I'm displeased or not proud of Jimmy Eat World and the material we've worked on, I'm so proud and so grateful for the opportunities we've had but you've got to challenge yourself sometimes and try new things, otherwise what's the point."

Fans and critics have praised Adkins solo offerings, which combine his distinctive vocal tones with classic 80s pop songwriting.

He said: "I grew up listening to 80s pop music in my formative years and the solo material's just my take on that style of song. It's more concise pop songwriting but still true to the sensibilities that I have from my experience in playing music."

The decision to release the tracks as a singles series rather than an album is unusual.

However, Adkins believes that, given the ever changing world of music, it was the only way to go.

He said: "I went for the singles in part because of the material itself but I was also thinking about how people listen to music now and, by and large, it's track by track.

"With the history of recorded music on your person at all times anywhere you are, it's a lot to ask somebody to sit down and listen to an hour of your album. Releasing singles instead of an album is a way to explore what happens if I put out less things but more often.

"It's really the Wild West out there in the music industry, I mean you can do what you want. There's really never been a better time to be involved in music or a fan."

Adkins now hopes his solo experience will bring a new dynamic to his songwriting with Jimmy Eat World.

He said: "If you're focusing 100% of your time and effort in just one area I think your whole life suffers for that, it's sort of counter intuitive.

"This is a way to branch out, be productive and challenge myself in a new way that might enrich the whole band experience when we get back together and start working."

Adkins has built his career on honest lyrics and classic punk pop riffs with Jimmy Eat World.

However, the frontman says mood can play a huge part in his songwriting and believes the tracks he's famed for, including The Middle and Sweetness, could have turned out differently if he'd been in another frame of mind.

He said: "Songwriting starts with a question and that gets an answer which you can ask yourself more questions about and that leads to more answers and after a while you've built this big tree of self-examination. Writing a song is sort of gently falling down the tree according to the mood that you're in.

"You can't escape yourself. You can put yourself in any number of imaginary scenarios and you're still going to find your current outlook on life, it's just your subject and speaker might take on drastically different back stories."

Adkins is now preparing to bring his first solo tour to Glasgow, playing Cottiers on September 3, and says it will be strange to be on stage without his band mates.

He said: "It never gets easier but that's great though, right?

"You're responding to what you're hearing and, with a group, you're listening to the dynamics of the people that you're playing with. With just me and a guitar, I'm responsible for the momentum and direction of the whole thing. It becomes a very internal feedback loop of getting in tune with yourself and how you feel and directing that."

However, he's sure that the Scottish crowds will make the show unforgettable.

He said: "The Scottish crowds are always amazing, especially Glasgow.

"It's strange because I have no idea what to expect at any show that I play when it's just me and the acoustic guitar. I mean people are fans but no-one knows what's going to happen and that makes the whole process really fun."

Jim Adkins will play Cottiers on Thursday, September 3.