Description
Tom Jenkins hails from the high country of the South Wales Valleys, surrounded by the ex-coal mining communities and rugged landscape where he works on a sheep farm. Having previously been signed to Xtra Mile with his rock band Straight Lines (released two albums and toured with Motörhead, The Presidents of the USA and many more) he's back with his second solo album. Written and recorded during lock down Jenkins worked alongside life-long friend and producer Todd Campbell between an old barn on the farm and Todd's studio in the local area. The album features guest appearances from Phil Campbell (Motorhead), Marc Ford (The Black Crowes) and Paul Mullen (YOURCODENAMEIS:MILO, The Automatic) , Elijah Ford ( Gary Clark Jnr) and a few others that he has shared the road with over the years.
Various singles from the album to be released throughout the year. Timeline is:
Track 1 – 'Magic Mushroom Island' – 22nd April 2022 - single
When writing the new album i wanted to slightly break the singer songwriter mould and go against the indie, folk sound of my first album. Magic Mushroom Island draws influences from some of my favourite rock bands such as Fugazi, Silverchair, Manic Street Preachers and with a nod to Led Zeppelin at the end of the song, where i'm joined by life long friend and legendary guitarist of Motorhead, Phil Campbell. Lyrically the song is a celebration of strangers, in the depths of Lockdown. I had not left my farm in the hills of South Wales Valleys or seen soul for weeks, until a number random people started showing up and scouring the fields, apparently word was getting around a local Uni that our fields were rich in Magic Mushrooms and it was quite the hot spot, It reminded of the film the 'The Beach' which influenced the title. This random occurrence did bring much joy and laughter with strangers to a somewhat lonely time.
Track 2 – 'Under The Sun' – 27th May 2022 – single
'Under The Sun' is probably the most upbeat song off my new album. I really wanted to write more uplifting music this time round. The sound is inspired mainly by American alt/ indie bands like Band of Horses and The Shins. Lyrically the song focuses on unity in a world that always seems to be trying to divide us by the ways of the media or manipulating higher powers. Also, I think "The world is a stage, don't wanna play the show" are some of my favourite lyrics on the album. I like the simplicity of it, as it's not trying to be anything more than a straight up catchy song with a good message.
Single includes a cover of Band Of Horses' 'Blue Beard' as a b-side.
Track 3 – 'Be There For You' – 23rd September 2022 single + Announce album with pre-orders
"'Be there for you' Is what I'd call a Brit Pop, country fusion with all the potential for a good old sing along. The song reflects on my time working in the isolated, New Zealand back country and being very far from loved ones in a lonesome landscape, with only a landline that would only receive calls as the only point of contact."
Track 4 – 'It Comes In The Morning, Hangs In The Evenings Sky' – 14th October 2022 – IG
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