Reuben release double vinyl set 'Racecar is Very Fast' on 11 December 2020 // Preorder now // Reuben's first two albums in one deluxe vinyl package

Reuben and Xtra Mile Recordings are teaming-up for ‘Racecar Is Very Fast’, a deluxe double vinyl package featuring Reuben’s first two albums together as one set for the first time with exclusive new artwork designed by Jamie Lenman. The set will be released on 11 December 2020. Preorder now.

Reuben are returning to where it all began. In collaboration with Xtra Mile, ‘Racecar Is Racecar Backwards’ and ‘Very Fast, Very Dangerous’ are being presented together as a celebration of the band’s two finest hours.

Bursting onto the scene in 2004 with ‘Racecar is Racecar Backwards’, the trio of Jamie Lenman, Jon Pearce and Guy Davis, turned heads with a debut that was every bit as high octane as its title would suggest. Produced by Jason Wilson at Stakeout Studios, the record saw the band thrash-out their frenetic, scattergun sound; drawing on eclectic influences from nu-metal to math rock, grunge to emo. Forging 16 tracks with a perfectly-placed pop/rock nous at their heart, ‘Racecar is Racecar Backwards’ immediately earmarked Reuben as an essential new band and one unafraid to break the rules. Shedding monstrous singles including ‘Freddy Kreuger’, ‘Stuck In My Throat’ and ‘Moving To Blackwater’, the band blindsided the Official Singles Chart and mainstream media like BBC Radio 1 and MTV2/M2, and even earned a nomination for “Best British Newcomer” at the Kerrang! Awards.

Wasting little time, the band launched headlong into its exhilarating follow-up, 2005’s ‘Very Fast, Very Dangerous’. Catapulting straight into the top 5 of the UK Rock Charts, singles like ‘Blamethrower’, ‘Keep It To Yourself’ and ‘A Kick In The Mouth’ accelerated the band from gutsy underdogs to people’s alt/rock champions.

Releasing just one more record together after ‘Very Fast’, in their short breakneck journey as a band, Reuben cemented an enduring cult status in their devoted fans while inspiring a new generation of alt-rock acolytes for years to come. The trio called an indefinite hiatus in 2008.

Reflecting on those first two records and that crucial time for Reuben, frontman Jamie Lenman says: “Those two records are very different but they came out a year after each other and they're the two we did with Xtra Mile so I think they belong together, and they belong to Xtra Mile. We spent years making 'Racecar' so that's why it's so varied and maybe a bit too long - we were very precious about our songs and we wanted them all on the thing. By the time we did 'Very Fast' we'd grown up a lot in a short space of time - we had a vague idea that an album should be more of a concept, which is why it's a bit more 'rock and roll' with the truck and everything. The second one was a reaction to the first one, we wanted to get away from long, complex songs. And then we went and put our longest song on it!”

With both vinyl pressings of the albums long out-of-press, the ‘Racecar Is Very Fast’ set promises to be a prized addition to any Reuben fan’s collection. Stamped with the band’s full seal of approval, the set includes exclusive new artwork direct from the hand of the band’s own Jamie Lenman, plus a new reflective essay from journalist and supporter James Hickie. Lenman says of the new release: “People kept asking me where they could buy the first two records on vinyl, and I didn't even realise they were sold out, so I asked Xtra Mile about doing a repress. I thought it would be cool to put together a two-pack, like you used to get in record stores when I was a kid, where you'd get two albums by the same band bundled together. I did some snazzy new artwork especially for the front cover and commissioned a short critical essay for the back. If you missed out on the original pressings then here they are! And if you're a real collector you might buy it just for the new artwork. I know I would!”

In celebration of the release, the band will be inviting fans to join them online for a Twitter listening party, enjoying both albums back to back and sharing memories of that seminal era. Join in with the hashtag #RCIVF.

https://www.wordsfromreuben.com/

Johnny Lloyd releases new single 'Suze' // Taken from second album 'Cheap Medication' out 30 October 2020

Johnny Lloyd has released a new single, ‘Suze’, taken from forthcoming second album ‘Cheap Medication’, out 30 October via Xtra Mile Recordings. Preorder on vinyl, CD or download here. Listen to the track below or via various streaming outlets here.

An island of tranquility amidst these turbulent times, the opening track of ‘Cheap Medication’ is a calming and gently nostalgic listen to balm the soul. Drifting on a bed of calypso rhythms, lilting slide guitars, fluttering birdsong and even a panpipe solo, the track finds Johnny with his head in the clouds and discovering heavenly new platitudes as a songwriter.

Opening up about the new single Johnny says: “‘Suze’ is a strange tale of crossed wires and infidelities. A passing portrait of an imagined event I went along with while I was writing the song. It ended up taking me somewhere I hadn’t been before musically.”

Following first single ‘Real Thing’ (a recent ‘Lamacq Livener’ on BBC 6 Music), the track is the second and final single to be cut from Johnny’s second solo album ahead of its release on 30 October. His new album, ‘Cheap Medication’, is the latest installment of what Johnny hopes will become an annual series of releases from here on.

The follow-up to 2019’s ‘Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds’, the record continues a prolific spell of activity for the Camden songwriter over the last 2 years. Alongside his solo debut, Johnny has also released two compilations of outtakes and rarities (Low Fidelity Vol. 1 & 2); scored the entire soundtrack for the critically acclaimed Sky Atlantic series ‘I Hate Suzie’ (in collaboration with his partner Billie Piper and playwright Lucy Prebble); and even found the time to reform indie-rock titans, Tribes. ‘Cheap Medication’ was made once again with producer Nathan Coen, and recorded between his base in London, Johnny’s home in Dorset, and the legendary Abbey Road Studios. It features guest appearances from familiar faces including: Kapil Trivedi of Mystery Jets, Pete Denton of The Kooks and Tom Odell’s backing band; plus an introduction to rising San Diego star Shelbi Bennet on its soaring title-track. Euphoric and universal, uplifting and even at times spiritual, ‘Cheap Medication’ is a record that finds an artist comfortable in his own skin and daring to take chances; the therapy of a life in songwriting yielding its most confident results yet. “I don’t think I’ve been happier with a collection of songs for a long time. I feel really good about this and think there really is something on there for everyone.”

Frank Turner and Jon Snodgrass release 'Buddies II: Still Buddies' on 13 November // Preorder now // Watch video for 'Bad Times, Good Vibes'

CD artwork for Buddies II: Still Buddies

Frank Turner & Jon Snodgrass are pleased to present ‘Buddies II: Still Buddies’, to be released through Xtra Mile Recordings on 13 November. Preorder the album on vinyl, CD and digital download here.

Ten years ago, the two acclaimed musicians hung out, drank whisky, wrote and recorded an album together called ‘Buddies’ – a lighthearted hang between friends that became a hit with fans of both artists. Fast forward a decade and the pair are still buddies, so they decided to write a follow-up.

As with the original, ‘Buddies II: Still Buddies’ was written in just one day, although this time Turner and Snodgrass had to do it over the Internet due to lockdown. With more time on their hands than usual, they were able to flesh out the album, musically, and recruit other buddies – Stephen Egerton (Descendents/ALL) on drums and Todd Beene (Lucero, Chuck Ragan, Glossary) on pedal steel. The result is a funny, warm and at times poignant album that’s part talk show, part music.

Vinyl artwork for Buddies II: Still Buddies

Touching upon themes such as Jon having children, their travels across the US, name-checking other songwriter buddies (like they did on the original album) and more, the album is a charming and playful reflection on a friendship ten years on. From the punk-turned-country of the album’s lead single, ‘Bad Times Good Vibes’, to referencing George Carlin’s infamous ‘Saving The Planet’ on ‘The Fleas’ the camaraderie is there for all to hear. ‘Buddies II: Still Buddies’ also stands as the first album Turner has recorded, mixed and mastered entirely on his own.

Rolling Stone has premiered the music video for ‘Bad Times Good Vibes’, which you can now watch below.

Turner had the following to share about the project and how it came about this year: “Lockdown has been such a blow to the music industry, and such a drag, that we were all looking for things to do. Jon and I have been buddies a long time, and I noticed the ten-year anniversary of our collaborative album was coming up. Technology is such that we were able to reprise the writing method remotely, and indeed it turns out we've got a lot better at it in the intervening decade. I'm really, really proud of the record.”

And Snodgrass adds: “Buddies II was somehow even more fun to make. It even sounds better too! Frank mixed it and we enlisted Todd Beene and Stephen Egerton. So yeah, two more buddies (so) it’s twice as good, in my opinion. I can’t wait until 2030! It’s gonna be three times better and we’re gonna do it at sea!”

Frank Turner needs no introduction for Xtra Mile Recordings fans. Jon Snodgrass is a well-respected figure of the US punk and Americana scene and is a member of Armchair Martian, Drag The River and Scorpios as well as a solo artist. Snodgrass has collaborated with Chad Rex, Hagfish, Descendents, Stephen Egerton, Joey Cape, Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut, Cory Branan, Chuck Ragan (Revival Tour and Hot Water Music), Tim McIlirath (Rise Against), Chris Wollard (Hot Water Music and Ship Thieves), Vinnie Fiorello (Less Than Jake), Scott Reynolds (ALL), Mike Herrera (MxPx), Arliss Nancy, and Jimmy Islip. Snodgrass will release his new album, Tace, on A-F Records on 9 October.

Buddies II: Still Buddies tracklisting

1. Still Buddies
2. Retractions
3. S-Bar
4. Stephen Plays The Drums
5. MacBeth
6. Bad Times Good Vibes
7. The Age Of A Dog
8. The Fleas
9. Hold Me Homie
10. The Earth Is Flat

Instagram: @FrankTurner // Facebook: facebook.com/frankturnermusic // Twitter: @frankturner YouTube: /frankturner

Instagram: @jonsnodgrass // Facebook: facebook.com/jon.snodgrass // Twitter: @jon_snodgrass

Fifth Anniversary Edition of Skinny Lister's 'Down on Deptford Broadway' out 23 October 2020 // Previous unheard tracks and new artwork

Longstanding folk/punk favourites SKINNY LISTER will be celebrating five years of their breakthrough album ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ with an anniversary edition released on 23 October 2020. Preorder on yellow vinyl here.

The London sextet will release a re-issue of their barnstorming and beatific opus on yellow vinyl through Xtra Mile Recordings, complete with previously unheard material and revitalised artwork PLUS the entire album in demo form as bonus digital download.

In lead-up to the release, Skinny Lister will be inviting fans to raise a glass with them and reminisce about the record at a series of online events. On 8 October, a Facebook Live Q&A will give fans an opportunity to direct their burning, unanswered questions about the record directly to all of the band members and producer Ted Hutt. Then, on the day of the album’s release (23 October), the band will be hosting a live Twitter listening party, where fans can join them in unison to play the record through start-to-finish and share their own memories of the good times it has soundtracked.

Initially recorded in 2013 before an official release two years later, ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ is Skinny Lister’s second album and was the first to be released by Xtra Mile. Produced by Grammy Award winner Ted Hutt at the famous Rockfield Studios, it contains some of the band’s best-loved songs including ‘Trouble On Oxford Street’, ‘Cathy’ and ‘Six Whiskies’.

When released in April 2015, ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ was widely acclaimed by the music press earning these scores: 4/5 - Q Magazine; 4/5 - Evening Standard; 5/5 - Guardian; 8/10 - NME, the latter praising: "These (are) boozing songs of love, conflict and elopement brewed from intoxicating hooks” and encouraged readers to “embrace your inner Pogue". Totemic single ‘Trouble…’ could be heard to be raising the roof regularly on 6Music and Radio X too.

A firm fan favourite and a record that placed Skinny Lister on the global musical radar, to date the album has received just shy of 3 million streams on Spotify and the official promo videos for the singles have received almost 900,000 views on YouTube.

Reflecting on ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ and its legacy, Lorna and Dan of Skinny Lister said: “In its five years, ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ has proved to be an important album for Skinny Lister. The sessions saw us bring a tougher edge to the Skinny sound, helped by Ted Hutt’s live-approach production and the addition of drums for the first time. The album has a special place in our hearts, and is certainly one that feels loved by our fans. It’s testament to ‘Down on Deptford Broadway’ that our live set often comprises of a whole bunch of tracks from it – many of our sing-along favourites. It’s a joy to see it get a five-year anniversary special edition repress and to celebrate the album and all the great times and adventures associated with those 12 tracks.”

LP TRACKLIST (Digital download also comes with demo versions of each track)

1.Raise a Wreck
2.Trouble on Oxford Street
3.George's Glass
4.What Can I Say?
5.Cathy
6.Six Whiskies
7.This is War
8.Ten Thousand Voices
9.Bonny Away
10.Bold as Brass
11.This City
12.The Dreich

skinnylister.com / Instagram: @skinnylister Facebook: facebook.com/skinnylister Twitter: @SkinnyLister YouTube: Skinny Lister

Johnny Lloyd announces second album 'Cheap Medication' // Listen to new track 'Real Thing'

Johnny Lloyd will release his second studio album in as many years, ‘Cheap Medication’, out 30 October 2020 via Xtra Mile Recordings. Preorder now on white LP, CD and download. The follow-up to 2019 solo debut ‘Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds’ and is the next instalment of what Johnny hopes will become an annual series of releases.

The new album continues a prolific spell of activity for the songwriter that has also seen him release two compilations of outtakes and rarities (Low Fidelity Vol. 1 & 2); work in collaboration with his partner Billie Piper and playwright Lucy Prebble (Succession) to score the critically-acclaimed Sky Atlantic series ‘I Hate Suzie’; and rekindle friendships with his original band of brothers to reform Tribes. Released today and premiered by Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music on 15 September, ‘Real Thing’ is the album’s lead single. Watch the lyric video below.

Dreamy of delivery, it’s a straight-up love song to rival the best. Johnny says of the single: “It’s about finding your purpose to be with the person you’re meant to be with. I wanted to write a rock’n’roll love song, instead of a cliched one. It’s rough around the edges, but it’s definitely a love song.”

Penning the songs for ‘Cheap Medication’ in 2019, the record was crafted in the rare instances of downtime he could find in a hectic schedule dominated by touring commitments, a surge in demand for his soundtrack work, and keeping-up with a young family. Reconnecting with producer Nathan Coen, early sessions took place between his base in London and Johnny’s home in Dorset, before the pair set-up shop in the legendary Abbey Road Studios to mould a new record into shape. Having worked with Coen on his debut, their productive working partnership saw them hurtling towards a record that looked to be done-and-dusted by the beginning of 2020.

And yet, hampered (as so many plans were) by the UK lockdown, Johnny used his time in isolation to complete its remaining songs solo at home. Finding the restrictions easing in early summer and a new record tantalisingly close to completion, Johnny reached-out for a little help from some friends to add those finishing touches. Kapil Trivedi of Mystery Jets, Pete Denton of The Kooks and Tom Odell’s backing band can all be heard to be pitching-in their musical talents to the proceedings, whereas a stunning vocal accompaniment from rising San Diego star Shelbi Bennet sees the singer lift the album’s title track into the stratosphere.

The songs of ‘Cheap Medication’ reflect a very different Johnny Lloyd; a maturing artist broadening his horizons with a range of new experiences, perspectives and influences. Recently inspired by the works of Harry Nilsson, the Mamas & The Papas and The War on Drugs, traces of each and more can be detected throughout ‘Cheap Medication’. From the off-kilter, far-out songwriting of ‘In This World’ or the title track, the laid-back soulful folkiness of ‘Suze’ and ‘Haze’, to the expansive dreaminess of ‘Heavens Below’ and ‘Heaven Up Here’, it’s a record that palpably feels like Lloyd challenging himself to take his music to plateaus new and hitting his creative stride.

A record representative of Johnny’s own current relationship with music, the album’s title couldn’t be more apt. As Johnny says: “That’s exactly what music is for me. Well ‘free medication’, I suppose it should have been called. It’s a cheap, medicinal thing I use to get me through whatever passage of the day that I need it to.” Euphoric and universal, uplifting and even at times spiritual, ‘Cheap Medication’ is a record that finds an artist comfortable in his own skin and daring to take chances; the therapy of a life in songwriting yielding its most confident results yet. “I don’t think I’ve been happier with a collection of songs for a long time. I feel really good about this and think there really is something on there for everyone.”

Xtra Mile Recordings announce signing with The Orchard for global distribution deal

London-based independent label Xtra Mile Recordings announces an exciting new partnership with leading music distributor The Orchard for a worldwide distribution and label services deal covering both physical and digital releases. Tapping into The Orchard’s far reaching expertise across all territories, Xtra Mile will be further continuing to grow their artists globally. 

From small part-time beginnings, releasing the debut albums from Reuben and Million Dead, Xtra Mile has grown considerably to become one of the most respected independent labels in its field. It is home to an array of new, emerging artists such as Brand New Friend, Guise, Deux Furieuses, and Seán McGowan as well as more established acts Frank Turner, Skinny Lister, Johnny Lloyd, Against Me!, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly and Mull Historical Society. Specialising in the cross-section of alternative rock, punk, folk, indie and hardcore from the UK and USA and with solid fanbases on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as across Europe, Xtra Mile is very much a global outfit, with its records (yes, it still makes records) available in most countries with record stores. And in 2019, Xtra Mile celebrated its 16th anniversary of operations with a year of events, special releases and festival takeovers including a gig at Omeara as part of War Child’s BRITS Week events, and stage takeovers at 2000trees Festival and Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings Festival in Boston.

While live plans have been put on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, in the background plots are afoot for the next chapter in Xtra Mile’s story. Signing with The Orchard not only means working with a new global team but also reuniting with some old friends of the label. With more key releases forthcoming later this year from Frank Turner (a rarities compilation), Guise, Skinny Lister, Brand New Friend and Johnny Lloyd, Xtra Mile couldn’t be happier in its new home. 

Xtra Mile Recordings owner Charlie Caplowe says: “It’s a challenge to do any kind of deal in these unprecedented times but it’s testament to the UK team and the global HQ in NYC that we got it done. We are massively excited about the new global set up and can’t wait to get cracking with our upcoming releases later this year and into 2021.”

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