UK Songwriter Johnny Lloyd (Tribes) Announces Solo Debut Album, Releases Music Video

By: Tori Hartshorn Apr. 05, 2019

UK Songwriter Johnny Lloyd (Tribes) Announces Solo Debut Album, Releases Music Video Image

A new year always brings new beginnings, and for fans of UK artist JOHNNY LLOYD, the long-rumored re-emergence of this treasured songwriter has been a long time coming. Opening a confident new chapter in his career, the former Tribes frontman will return with the release of his debut solo album, Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds, out on Friday, May 3 on Xtra Mile Recordings (pre-order).

The announcement is coupled with a first glimpse of the new material on the horizon, the title track that also features Lloyd's partner, English actress Billie Piper, and backing vocals from longtime friend and label mate Frank Turner. Watch the video for "Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds"HERE and stream "I Need Help" from the collection HERE.

Pared-back of sound and pure of lyric, the delicately spindled and chiming melodies of Next Episode... find Lloyd making a considerable leap forward into lush and dreamy pastures new. After a two-year period in which Lloyd found himself busily scoring music for various high-profile projects for the silver screen (including the celebrated Rolling Stones film, The Quiet One), Next Episode...materialized somewhat out of the blue as the first music he had penned for himself in sometime, but would prove to be the first ripple in a wave of new material that would form his forthcoming solo album.

Very much indicative of his newfound direction and a bold departure from his indie-rock roots, Next Episode... sees Lloyd's sound metamorphosing to find kindred spirits with the likes of Nick Drake or Sparklehorse, channeling that hushed, alternative-folk sound that is so eternally enchanting. Speaking about writing Next Episode..., Lloyd reveals:

"[Next Episode] was the first song I wrote for the album and it just landed out of nowhere.
It marked a real turning point. It's all about trying to enjoy the moment and not succumb
to this modern idea of constant success. Everyone is different and that's what
makes life interesting, you don't have to be anything or anybody you don't want to be.
It's about trying to live in the moment."

Turning the page on his days as frontman of chart-conquering Camden four-piece Tribes, Lloyd has spent the years since their disbandment starting afresh, rebuilding, taking career risks and forging a new path of his own definition. On the long road to his debut solo album, Lloyd initially began forging close bonds with like-minds including Jamie T, Mike Crossey (The 1975, Hozier) and Hugo White (The Maccabees), all of whom would help him to release two solo EPs in close succession: 2016's Dreamland and 2017's Eden. With the EPs warmly received and the reaction fervent at the 200+ live shows across the globe in support of the releases, public appetite was clearly ripe for his debut album.

Checking into a 10 ft. square bunker in north London in late 2018 with producer Nathan Coen, the pair began to flesh out the bones of the record, operating with a hard-and-fast rule for each recorded track to be completed in "no more than three takes." Though often a challenging process, the results as such were remarkable. With its rawest, purest and most endearing qualities perfectly preserved, the collection of tracks began to glisten like diamonds in the rough. Dusted with finishing touches from Frank Turner, Hugo White (The Maccabees) and Adam Prendergast of Harry Styles's band, these esteemed guest appearances finessed the album with a touch of magic and drew the album into crystalline focus. Adding a last touch of class, the album was mastered at the infamous Abbey Road Studios by Frank Arkwright in late 2018.

Rich with personal renovations and revelations inspired by a whirlwind of changes in Lloyd's life over the past few years, the intimate and mature songs of the album tackle growth, getting sober and becoming a father, in a record that earnestly witnesses this songwriter enter back into the spotlight and truly come of age.

Johnny Lloyd will be making the following U.S. appearances next month. Dates below.

MAY
15 - New York, NY - Rockwood Stage II
17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café (w/ Skinny Lister)
18 - Asbury Park, NJ - House of Independents (w/ Skinny Lister)
19 - Boston, MA - House of Blues (Frank Turner's Lost Evenings III)