aaamusic | On 16, May 2011

Described in a Sunday Times feature as “One of 2009’s indie success Stories”; Jon Allen will be heading out on his UK tour next week including a couple of dates in Switzerland in support of ‘Sweet Defeat’, his sophomore album, which is 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.

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.

Tickets for Jon’s UK dates are available to buy via Jon’s site – www.jonallensongs.co.uk/shows; tour dates below

18^th May – Mama Stones – Exeter
19^th May – The Glee Club – Birmingham
20^th May – Chequer Mead – East Grinstead
23^rd May – Lowry – Salford
26^th May – SUD – Basel
27^th May – Mahogany Hall – Bern
28^th May – Komplex, Zimmer – Zurich
31^st May – Arts Centre – Norwich
7^th June – The Stables – Milton Keynes
8^th June – Jericho – Oxford
9^th June – Bootleggers – Kendal
10^th June – Duchess – York
11^th June – Brudenell – Leeds
13^th June – High Barn – Essex
15^th June – Bodega – Nottingham
16^th June – Musician – Leicester
17^th June – The Cellars – Eastney
18^th June – Discovery Centre – Winchester
22^nd June – Bush Hall – London
23^rd June – Komedia Studio Bar – Brighton
2^nd July – Boiler House – Llandaff
3^rd July – Cornbury Festival – Oxfordshire
15^th July – Lubstock – Leicester
30^th July – Blue Balls Festival – Lucerne

Sweet Defeat is available to pre-order via iTunes now and will be available to buy physically from May 23^rd from all good retail stores.