31 July 2020

Award-winning duo Ferris & Sylvester have released the brand new single ‘I Should Be On A Train’, the title track of their forthcoming EP out October 2nd via LAB Records. The song premiered on Bob Harris’ Radio 2 show who said, “I’m a big fan of Ferris & Sylvester [they have] dynamic and brilliant music,” this was followed by a video premiere with American Songwriter Magazine. Written, recorded and produced by Ferris & Sylvester, ‘I Should Be On A Train’ is an explosive blues ballad, which follows the musings of a woman planning her escape, but not having the courage to leave the one she loves. It was originally written in the back of a tour bus between Prague and Vienna in February, but the tune came to life and took on a new meaning in their studio this spring. The dreamy video has been captured on Super 8 film and pairs lockdown footage of Ferris & Sylvester in idyllic countryside, while also intertwining clips from their last headline show before the Covid-19 shutdown at Paradiso, Amsterdam. ‘I Should Be On A Train’ opens the band’s much anticipated EP of the same name, which will be out digitally as well as on limited edition 12″ vinyl, now available to pre-order here. About the recordings Ferris & Sylvester say, “The world is adapting to a new reality, and we’ve been determined to adapt with it and get creative. It can be difficult in isolation to know how to move forward. People are lonely, overwhelmed and yearning to connect. We were busy writing for future projects, trying to map out the next chapters. But we decided it was more important to give what we can now. All we know is we are happiest when sharing our music and we hope this brings joy to people.” Working in the face of adversity, Ferris & Sylvester have used the past months as inspiration for new music, learning new instruments and production techniques and building their online connection with fans. In May, the band released the beautiful ‘Everyone Is Home’, described by Clash Magazine as “the duo’s very own isolation anthem”, which also features on the I Should Be On A Train EP. The heartfelt lyrics recognise the loneliness in the uncertain times yet also celebrate the togetherness, bravery and resilience that has come with it. During lockdown, Ferris & Sylvester have hosted successful weekly live streams, and raised money to help local venues stay in business via the Music Venue Trust, of which they are patrons. The duo played a very special fundraiser for the Spiritual Bar in London, a legendary music space and very special to the pair, as it is where they first met and cut their teeth on stage together. The upcoming new five-track EP captures Ferris & Sylvester’s unique blend of blues, Americana and folk, whilst also seeing them expand on their sound. ‘Knock You Down’ features wistful psychedelic touches, while the groove-laden riffs of ‘Good Man’ are intertwined with Ravi Shankar influences. The EP closes with a cover The Beatles’ ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, inspired by their lockdown livestreams where they shared a new cover every week with their fans. The I Should Be On A Train EP finds Ferris & Sylvester thriving in the world’s state of transition, taking the opportunity to explore new territories, spurred on by the success of the past and looking forward to the future. Ferris & Sylvester have made a distinct mark on the live scene both in the UK and across the Atlantic. This is set to continue in 2021 as they have announced their largest headline shows for next year. The band will tour the UK throughout February and March, with a London headline show at Lafayette on March 1st. The band will then head off for a six date tour across the US and Canada. Tickets are available here and full tour dates can be found below: UK HEADLINE TOUR DATES FEBRUARY 25th – Exeter, Cavern 26th – Nottingham, Metronome 28th – Brighton, Green Door Store MARCH 1st – London, Lafayette 3rd – Manchester, Night & Day 4th – Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club 6th – Glasgow US & CANADA HEADLINE TOUR DATES MARCH 25th – Los Angeles, Hotel Café 27th – Chicago, Martyr’s 30th – Nashville, High Watt APRIL 1st – Washington DC, Songbyrd 2nd – New York City, Rockwood Music Hall 3rd – Toronto, Drake Hotel I SHOULD BE ON A TRAIN EP TRACK LISTING I Should Be On A Train Knock You Down Everyone Is Home Good Man With A Little Help From My Friends   Follow us on social media and share this post! Twitter, Facebook, Instagram See more news here.

Ward Thomas are back with the first taste of brilliant new music from their infectious forthcoming studio album ‘Invitation’ – out October 2ndon WTW Music through eastwest. ‘Sweet Time’ arrives today and lays down an impressive marker. A graduation in sound and a newfound maturity makes for a profound step up. The track opens the album in style, injecting an exciting pace from the get go, with Haim-like guitar work and bursting with youthful energy. Listen to ‘Sweet Time’ HERE Largely produced by Jonathan Quarmby (Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Finley Quaye), and mostly recorded in lockdown from their Hampshire cottage, ’Invitation’ is a coaxing doorway for all into an exciting new chapter as the fog of a global pandemic begins to lift. There’s palpable energy by the bucket load, and many of its songs benefit from a coming of age for sisters Catherine and Lizzy and a new found voice sees them diversify their sound. The girls say; “2020 has been a year full of learning, which we feel has changed our approach to this album. We recorded a lot of it from our cottage, and working remotely came with its share of challenges, but also new opportunities. Although recorded during uncertain times, the record feels like an invitation to a more positive time; to a more open and exciting new chapter. We named it after a lyric in the song ‘Open Your Mind’ because the album feels like an invitation – whether it be figuratively, an invitation to self-reflect, or physically, to a time when we can all party again.” ‘Meant To Be Me’ delivers a new twist on their country roots showcasing a wonderful pop sound mixed with clever use of mandolin, whilst ‘Dear Me’ briefly strips away the music, making for a stunning Imogen Heap-style near acapella performance. There’s also a strong James Bond-esque candidate in ‘My Favourite Poison’, and even their more traditional country-pop tracks have found a new level, with the brilliant ‘Wait Up’ and previously released ‘Hold Space’. Other highlights include the strikingly rhythmic ‘Don’t Be A Stranger’ and epic ‘Someday’. As bonus tracks the album also includes a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic track ‘Landslide’, their feature with James Blunt on the brilliant ‘Halfway’ from his 2019-released Top 3 album ‘Once Upon A Mind’, and a jaw dropping live performance of The Killers’ ‘Human’ with Jack Savoretti at his huge Wembley Arena headline show last year. The girls will also embark on an intimate “Invitation” acoustic tour, which was rescheduled due to Covid-19, for April next year. The 16-date run will include two dates at London’s Union Chapel on the 26th & 27th. 2020 may have been a year of global ups and downs so far, but as one door closes, another opens. Enter an exciting new chapter for Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas. UK TOUR DATES (tickets on-sale HERE) April Fri 9th                           LIVERPOOL, Grand Theatre Sat 10th                        LINCOLN, Engine Shed Sun 11th                       BARROW, Forum Theatre Mon 12th                      LEEDS, City Varieties Tue 13th                       NORWICH, Epic Studios Thu 15th                       GLASGOW, Mackintosh Church Fri 16th                         EDINBURGH, Queen’s Hall Sun 18th                       LEAMINGTON SPA, Assembly Mon 19th                      BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy Tue 20th                       WOKING, New Victoria Theatre Wed 21st                      SOUTHEND, Palace Theatre Fri 23rd                         BRIGHTON, St George’s Sat 24th                        BATH, Forum Sun 25th                       MANCHESTER, RNCM Theatre Mon 26th                      LONDON, Union Chapel Tue 27th                       LONDON, Union Chapel ‘Invitation’ – Track Listing 1.         Sweet Time 2.         Don’t Be A Stranger 3.         Open Your Mind 4.         Someday 5.         Meant To Be Me 6.         Dear Me 7.         Hold Space 8.         Wait Up 9.         My Favourite Poison 10.       Painted Legacy 11.       If There Were Words 12.       Halfway(with James Blunt) 13.       Human(Live from Wembley Arena with Jack Savoretti) 14.       Landslide Pre-Order the album HERE.   Follow us on social media and share this post! Twitter, Facebook, Instagram See more news here.