Jon Allen to release new album ‘Sweet Defeat’ on May 22nd through Monologue Records
aaamusic | On 13, Apr 2011
Described in a Sunday Times feature as “One of 2009’s indie success Stories”; nearly two years on Devon’s finest troubadour Jon Allen returns with a brand new album ‘Sweet Defeat’ released on 22nd May by independent label Monologue Records.
His debut album ‘Dead Man’s Suit’ was funded purely from income generated by 20,000 downloads of his song “Going Home” which featured in a Landrover Ad. The album achieved a succession of highly acclaimed reviews, no less than five BBC Radio 2 playlists, a personal request from Jools Holland to have him appear on “Later with Jools” after he heard his song “In Your Light” on the radio, and an impressive 6 figure publishing deal.
His success has not just been limited to the UK but has spread all over Europe, where he has been on tour constantly since ‘Dead Man’s Suit’s’ release. Allen sees himself very much as a live performer and has remained true to the philosophy of old fashioned grafting which seems to be paying off as there is rarely a week when he doesn’t get a request to perform. He has even found himself with the odd celebrity admirer; Holland’s biggest film star Carice Van Houten discovered his music and began twittering his praises to her many followers helping make him a household name in the territory. British actor David Morrissey name checked ‘Dead Man’s Suit’ as a favourite record in a recent Q interview and James Morrison is also a fan who has been spotted at his shows.
Allen’s second record is once again produced by Tristan Longworth supported ably by the same group of musicians who contributed to his debut. It’s an eleven-song collection that displays the maturity and cohesiveness of an artist growing in confidence. It builds on Americana/acoustic foundations, ranging from solo finger picked songs like ‘Last Orders’ to the laid back ‘Tulsa Sound’ of J.J. Cale on the bluesy ‘Lucky I guess’ to the album’s title track, an upbeat number complete with a brass section that conjures up memories of Van Morrison at his soulful best.
Sweet Defeat is available to pre-order via iTunes now and will be available to buy physically from May 23rd from all good retail stores.
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