Stylusboy - Out and about again

Stylusboy - Out and About Again

by Pete Clemons

https://www.youtube.com/user/stylusboymusic

Time and money are commodities that some folk could do with a bit more of…..I guess that we could all make a case for it.

But I am thinking more of those in the music business and particularly those who are without the backing of a major label. On one hand they maybe juggling a day job, but on the other, they still carry that burning desire to create music. For those in that situation it really is a labour of love a and devotion to their art.

Coventry’s very own Stylusboy, a major and relatively untapped talent in my opinion, for me fits squarely into the above category.

Looking back, it is quite surprising when you realise that is now ten years since Stylusboy first released his self-produced debut EP, ‘Fingerprint’.

This was followed by a host of other releases that included ‘The Whole Picture’ a 6 track EP released on Lazy Acre Records during 2011 and his 10-track debut album for Wild Sound Recordings along with the Lantern EP both released during 2013

That album, ‘Hope for Happiness’ contained some exceptional tunes including ‘Hold My Hand’, ‘Eyes Form Tears’ and ‘Love’s Tale’ and was a very well-received release. And some of the songs from it have recently been re-recorded for a ‘pay what you feel’ downloadable EP.

However, since that time, things have gone relatively quiet on the recordings front. Of course, Stylusboy didn’t disappear completely. He has featured at various festivals and in some sell out gigs, particularly in London throughout that period. But, in general, Stylusboy has slowed things down and taken stock.

2016 saw the beginning of the process of writing a whole new selection of songs. But this time, rather than rush them out, Stylusboy has given them more time to develop. 2017 saw the songs, at long last, being taken into the studio. As you can tell, the new album, titled ‘Routes’ has been an ongoing project for some time now. But there is now light at the end of the tunnel and a taster track from the forthcoming album has recently been allowed to fly out on an EP.

This long awaited second album will be released on his own, appropriately named, Tortoise label. And Stylusboy wants to get the new album to the best possible position he can. September is the target month for its release and there is talk of a launch gig complete with a full band for the same month.

The opening track on the new EP titled ‘Out Upon the Ocean’ is a tune bearing the same title. And the first thing I was struck by immediately was its depth and clarity of sound. To these ears at least, this appears to be a vast improvement on previous releases.

Alongside Stylusboy has been Tim Bowes, drums and percussion and John Parker on double bass who both contributed to his previous album. I also noted, from the sleeve notes for the EP, that the glorious vocal harmony you hear is that of the very talented Holly Hewitt.

The tune includes a verse that begins with the line ‘It’s been so long’. It all seems strangely fitting somehow.