aaamusic | On 20, Jan 2011
As a precursor to his Berlin-recorded debut solo album, Last Of The Country Gentlemen (released March 14), Texan Josh T. Pearson will release the single, ‘Country Dumb’ on 21st February.
Josh today also announces details of a headline show at London’s Union Chapel on the 11th May.
A man whose legendary musical output has only grown in stature, many will be familiar with the short-lived phenomenon that was Lift to Experience, which released one sprawling masterpiece, 2001’s The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads, before splitting up soon after. So beloved by John Peel were they that he had LTE record three sessions in five months and were included in the Best 125 Peel Sessions of all time.
An album standout, this exclusive single edit of ‘Country Dumb’ features renowned multi-instrumentalist and composer Dustin O’ Halloran on superbly subtle piano accompaniment. The release of ‘Country Dumb’ coincides with an already sold out Slaughtered Lamb show. Add to this a further sold out show at the Purcell Rooms in April, you might begin to piece together the makings of a much heralded and rapturous return. Josh T. Pearson then plays the Union Chapel on May 11 with a string quartet to round out what promises to be an outstanding clutch of London shows alongside a full UK tour.
Since the demise of Lift to Experience, Josh T. Pearson has spent many years in the wilderness, only releasing one studio recording, ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, a split 7” single with the Dirty Three, and an appearance on the song ‘Trophy’ included on the Mercury Prize-nominated Bat for Lashes album, Fur and Gold.
You can also download the beautiful piano version of ‘Country Dumb’ from: http://www.joshtpearson.co.uk
Josh T. Pearson UK Tour Dates:
Wed 23 Feb London Slaughtered Lamb £10 SOLD OUT
Thu 24 March Sheffield Queens Social Club
Fri 25 March Glasgow Stereo
Sun 27 March Manchester The Deaf Institute
Tue 29 March Brighton Brighton Ballroom
Wed 30 March Nottingham Bodega
Fri 1 April London Purcell Rooms SOLD OUT
Wed May 11 London Union Chapel (http://www.atpfestival.com/events/jtpunionchapel.php)
“I come from a long line in history of dreamers/Each one more tired than the one before/All of us too poor to pay attention/Sweet dreamin’ was all we could afford” Josh T.Pearson 2011
“Last Of The Country Gentlemen by Josh Pearson, the former lead singer of the Texan band Lift to Experience, is a modern classic.” Will Hodgkinson, The Times
“Pearson is a one of a kind artist and words can’t describe how fucking good Last Of The Country Gentlemen is – heavy, beautiful and brilliant.” Mark Lanegan
“I first heard of Josh when I listened to the Lift To Experience album The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads. It was around the time I started recording the first Bat For Lashes album, and I remember being so taken aback by Josh’s haunting voice, preacher-like storytelling lyrics and guitar playing… Like a doomed angel singing over a desert storm.” Bat For Lashes
