Arctic Monkeys‘ drummer Matt Helders is currently at work on a solo album – but says he wants to ‘make a lot of music’ first to justify the record.

The drummer and photographer, who has also been a member of Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression band with Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Dean Fertita, was speaking on podcast The Trap Set when he opened up about his work away from the Monkeys – and concerns about going it alone.

Asked if had ‘confidence’ around finishing the album, Helders replied: “More and more I do, yeah. I feel like I’ve got to do a certain amount before it’s deserved in way. I don’t want to do it too soon and then regret it, like ‘Oh, I shouldn’t have made that kind of record’. You know what I mean? I want to make a lot of music and then like, ‘Oh, that’s the thing I like about this’.”


He continued: “I think I’m getting to a point now in which the style has developed and what I want to do is more clear to me than it was before. ”

Speaking about ‘earning’ the right to get ahead as a solo artist, Helders said: “I don’t want to get caught out for cheating my way somewhere.

“I will do it. It’s like figuring out why as well. Like ‘Why do I even want to do that? Why do I want to make a record? What’s it for? I just like the process of creating it. Maybe it’s more because I’m not writing the lyrics, so it’s fine that I do that. When you’re writing a record and you’re putting yourself out there, a lot of people need a reason to want to hear a ‘message’ or ‘hear my opinion on this’.

“That’s why I’m not that interested in the lyrics side of it yet. I want to make a lot of music and that sounds cool. ”


Bandmate Alex Turner has previously released a solo album as the soundtrack to the movie Submarine, as well as releasing two albums with Miles Kane for side-project The Last Shadow Puppets.

Helders has also been celebrated away from the band for his photography skills.

While the band’s scheduled UK dates are currently wrapped up, Arctic Monkeys are among the acts rumoured to headline Glastonbury 2019, as well as being tipped to potentially top the bill at Reading & Leeds next year.