The new album project ‘Seven Dials’ from Jon Allen is rich with evocative narrative postcards of what life might have been like for the typical 18th century Londoner. And as his singles ‘Down With The Tide’, ‘White Gold’, ‘The Shadow’ and ‘Nine Lives’ have shown, while the events and circumstances back then were often very different, people’s intrinsic behaviour and motivations are almost unchanged. That’s something which is especially true of his new single ‘Midnight Oil’. Listen HERE.
Jon drops a pin on a bar on St. Giles and the story unfolds. The ‘Midnight Oil’ narrator is getting quietly obliterated during a seemingly eternal drinking session with Tommy, his partner-in-crime. Their latest burglary hasn’t gone so well, so rather than sensibly lying low they’re instead escaping their problems by drinking until night turns to day – or at least, until the barman calls time. What was commonplace in the 1700s isn’t too far removed from what you’ll witness on any given night in the contemporary capital. The song’s unhurried, warm-hearted bluesy-folk groove offers the perfect soundtrack to a bar session in which losing count of your drinks is an essential part of the night.
‘Seven Dials’ will be released on CD and vinyl, and is available to pre-order HERE.
Over the course of a career which has exceeded 40 million streams, Jon Allen has collaborated with Paul McCartney and Mark Knopfler, supported arena rockers KALEO, played Glastonbury, performed on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’, and had his song ‘Going Home’ soundtrack a Land Rover ad campaign. All of his releases come via his own Monologue Records, an independent cottage industry label which allows for maximum creative freedom.
Jon Allen will celebrate the release of ‘Seven Dials’ by hitting the road with his band The Luna Kings. Tickets for the following shows are available HERE.
MAY
16th – Cardiff, Acapela Studio
24th – London, Bush Hall
29th – Haarlem, Patronaat
30th – Rotterdam, Rotown
31st – Utrecht, Tivoli
JUNE
1st – Groningen, De Oosterpoort
5th – Odense, Dexter
19th – Barnoldswick, Music and Arts Centre
20th – Newcastle, The Cluny
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