ANNOUNCED AS LEAD SUPPORT FOR
BILLY BRAGG’S AUTUMN TOUR
BRAND NEW EP ‘GRAFT & GRIEF’ – OUT NOW
“Seán writes the sort of music that enters your ear canal and doesn’t leave your brain for weeks on end.” – Already Heard (4/5)
“Channeling the great voices of political and social minded artists, ‘Clear Conscience’ has the vocal snarl of Joe Strummer, the colloquialism of Billy Bragg, and the occasional fragile cracks of an Owen, Frank Turner, or any road-worn acoustic punk.” – Vulture Hound (5/5)
“One to watch!”- Billy Bragg & Fred Perry Subculture
Following the completion of a headline tour that has featured some of his biggest UK shows to date, today Seán McGowan is delighted to announce his confirmation as lead support act on Billy Bragg’s Autumn Tour.
The news directly follows thrilling back-to-back sold out shows in London and Southampton of his own over the weekend, with Seán now looking to the coming months and these major billings with one of his idols and chief supporters at some of the country’s more capacious venues.
Kicking off at the London Islington Assembly Hall on 7th November, Seán will open up for the ‘Bard of Barking’ at a number of towns and cities including Cambridge, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham and more on this two week stint. Full dates and venues below.
Releasing his debut EP for Xtra Mile Recordings: ’Graft & Grief’ earlier this month, the Southampton-born punk poet has also recently revealed a brand new video for featured track: ‘Costa Del Solution’. Watch the video here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PydltW49Bjg&feature=youtu.be
Making the trip from his native Southampton to hit the beaches of Bournemouth on something of brief vacation of his own, the video for ‘Costa Del Solution’ was filmed in just two days earlier this summer. Teaming up once again with Director and friend Robert Goulding (the man also at the helm for Seán’s former ‘No Show’ and ‘Apple Core’ videos), the video sees Seán re-visit the getaway spot of his formative years as he reflects on our fixation with the short-lived escapism of the holiday getaway.
Speaking about Costa Del Solution, Seán says:
“It dawned on me that people spend 50 weeks of the year thinking about the 2 weeks they get away on holiday. Whilst it’s great to have something to look forward to – I don’t think you’re doing life right if you’re not enjoying more than two weeks a year. It’s tied in with this feeling of being stuck on the conveyor which is a theme that runs through this record. Doing as was done by those before you. Falling into routine. It’s nonsense, do what you want, have fun and make it work.”
Sean’s recent extended-player ‘Graft & Grief’ is out now and available on silver vinyl, CD and digital.
Alongside ‘Costa Del Solution’, the EP features a total of 7 tracks including familiar former singles ‘No Show’ and ‘Apple Core’, plus two poems ‘Gag (Part 1)’ and ‘Gag (Part 2)’ that bookend the piece. Capturing Seán’s lyrical dexterity, knack for penning a catchy melody and laser sharp social commentary, the ‘Graft & Grief’ EP is an impressive new release from an artist rapidly establishing himself as a formidable talent. An impressive showcase of socially canny tunes; ‘Graft & Grief’ is an accomplished insight into the realities of being young and musically-motivated in modern England. For the first time, the Graft & Grief’ EP also sees Seán flesh out his dextrous lyrics with the backing of a full band throughout.
Following career-high festival sets at Beautiful Days and Common People over the Summer, plus his biggest headline gigs to date touring with the ‘Graft & Grief’ EP; Seán will now play the following dates with Billy Bragg:
NOVEMBER TOUR 2017
w/ BILLY BRAGG
Tue 07 Nov 2017 London Islington Assembly Hall
Wed 08 Nov 2017 Cambridge Cambridge Junction
Fri 10 Nov 2017 Oxford O2 Academy Oxford
Sat 11 Nov 2017 Birmingham Town Hall
Sun 12 Nov 2017 Sheffield The Leadmill
Tue 14 Nov 2017 Liverpool Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Wed
15 Nov 2017 Edinburgh The Queen’s Hall
Thu 16 Nov 2017 Newcastle Wylam Brewery
Sat 18 Nov 2017 Nottingham Rock City
Sun 19 Nov 2017 Cardiff Trashed
Tue 21 Nov 2017 Southampton The Brook
Seán has felt part of the Xtra Mile family for a while now, through his regular touring with the likes of Frank Turner, Skinny Lister, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Rob Lynch and Beans On Toast. Over the past 6 years Seán has been steadily building up his now considerable fan base by being near a constant force on the touring circuit as well as supporting Billy Bragg and performing packed out slots at Glastonbury and The Great Escape.
Raised on a diet of The Clash, The Jam, Specials, Billy Bragg and other such politically-charged, punk-ignited British pop, 21 year old Seán self-released two EPs either given away or sold on a pay what you want basis at shows, plus two slices of teenage Southampton life entitled ‘Come Unstuck’ (featuring Frank Turner on backing vocals) and ‘Swings & Roundabouts’, released as a double a-side 7”. Writing has already begun on the album, due to arrive sometime in early 2018.
‘Graft & Grief’ is out on Xtra Mile Recordings Now
Pre-order your copy here:
iTunes – www.smarturl.it/SeánEP-itunes
XMR – www.smarturl.it/SeanEP-xmr
Music Glue – www.smarturl.it/SeanMcGowan-EP
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.musicglue.com/seanmcgowan
www.facebook.com/seanmcgowanmusicuk
Twitter – @seanmcgowanuk
www.xtramilerecordings.com
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