Jon Allen UK Tour
March 2nd marks the release of ‘Dead Man’s Suit’ –the debut long-player by South Devon’s finest singer-songwriter, Jon Allen: a rootsy blend of late 60s/early 70s style folk/blues/rock, with a touch of Ryan Adams and Elliot Smith.
Acclaimed first single ‘Going Home’ has been featured on a worldwide Land Rover TV advert this year and subsequently achieved close to 20,000 downloads from Allen’s website. The song also garnered an early champion in Radio 1’s Jo Whiley. Allen had several labels chasing his tail for a deal, but rather than wait for the slow-moving wheels of the industry to react to the success of the advert, he pressed ahead, sold the track himself online and has used the proceeds to set up his own label.
Fans of early Rod Stewart and the Faces, Tim Hardin or CSNY should find much to like across the album, but there is equally a strong contemporary nod to Damian Rice and Jose Gonzales. The title ‘Dead Man’s Suit’, as well as being the opening track, is Jon’s comment on potential comparisons to his influences: he might not be making distorted, avant-rave-art-school-afro-trance, but for him, quality songwriting, execution and musicianship take precedence.
‘Dead Man’s Suit’ kicks things off with its playful lyrics and Zombies-style organ line. Allen expounds on said garment: “I thought it was black, I found out it was blue – now I’m seeing things that only dead men do.” ‘In Your Light’ is a soothing yet melancholy love song with religious overtones, where pianos and guitar interweave effortlessly, whilst ‘Going Home’ possesses a reflective, folky wistfulness.
Other highlights include ‘Down By The River’, a lightly philosophical, pop rock ode, brimming with reminiscence. In contrast, groove-based ‘Happy Now’ is a vitriolic spleen on frustrations with a former manager, and subtly anthemic love song ‘Take Me To Heart’ combines West Coast rock, 70s singer songwriter and soft rock styles masterfully. Don’t miss too the Ryan Adams-esque ‘Lay Your Burden Down’, the yearning ‘Young Man’s Blues’ and Jon’s groovy, bar room sinner role-play on ‘Bad Penny'.
Allen has supported Emmylou Harris, Damien Rice, KT Tunstall, Jose Gonzalez and Mark Knopfler. He’s also found fans in Coldplay producer Ken Nelson and songwriter to the stars, Guy Chambers. Following the Land Rover advert and near 20k downloads of ‘Going Home’, Jon remains self-funded and independent, releasing on his own label, Monologue Records.
ACOUSTIC TOUR
27/01 – Leicester – The Musician
29/01 – Stratford Upon Avon – Cox's Yard
31/01 – Bristol – Louisiana
3/02 – Nottingham – The Maze
4/02 – London – Bush Hall
11/02 – Sheffield – Boardwalk
18/02 – Swindon – 12 Bar