Kelly Jones is set to release his first ever side-project in a glorious decade of the Stereophonics. A raw, personal, deftly organic album, ‘Only The Names Have Been Changed’ is a masterclass in personal songwriting and rouses with a stunning sonic diversion from his trademark sound. Recorded in 36 hours, it’s digitally released on January 29th.
“It’s not about going solo,” announces Kelly. “That’s the last thing I ever want to do. It’s more about making something spontaneous, and making it spontaneously. We were recording the 6th Stereophonics album last year and in-between takes I started doing these songs off the cuff. Three or four tracks in I realised that this could actually be something…strange how it’s always little things that makes big things happen. We didn’t wait – it was recorded January 7th & 8th and mastered by Friday 12th, which set the tone for how we’ll release it.”
In keeping with how it was recorded, an ultra limited-edition fanbase CD will be released with deluxe artwork packaging, March 26th. The limited edition release will include a bonus DVD of a live studio performance of 5 songs recorded at SARM studios in London."
Producer Jim Lowe (whose previous credits include Stereophonics' ‘Language. Sex. Violence. Other?’) captured the mood perfectly.
“Every song is a live take,” says Kelly. “We actively decided to make it a bit more filmic. In two days we put down 10 tracks with 10 different girls names…we wanted to do something in the vain of Nick Cave’s ‘Murder Ballads’ or Johnny Cash’s ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’. ‘Jayne’ was a song from years ago that never made an album, so I stripped it back and recorded it first. It literally went from there.“
A brooding, classic, storytelling LP, it’s also a labour of love. “The main reason I wanted to do it is to get away from the expectancy of three Top 5 singles, a Number 1 LP and an 18-month tour. I’m ten years in now and want to do projects that excite me in between. I didn’t want it to have anything to do with charts or the pressure of playlists. It’s music for people who love music. Digital music is such a gift now because solo work no longer has to be a vanity project. I never need to do that as I have such freedom in the band.”
"The whole project had it's own little concept without being forced," he adds. "I'd pick a name, then write a character story around it, which is exactly how I used to write when I was 18.
"I've always listened to stuff like Tom Waits and Dylan, but didn't want an acoustic guitar record - it's more landscapy than that."
"For me, this is the truest I can get to personal expression, which isn't that commonplace with record-making any more. You go in there with your songs and try to make them big records, but to actually sit in front of the mic with your guitar as you write it...I love it. To be able to work as free as that is amazing. That's what I am…it's what actors, artists, singers, directors are supposed to do."
“Record companies and management always get nervous if there isn’t a massive campaign plan and a huge successful record, but that doesn’t bother me. If I'm not scared of it, why should anyone else be? It's my name on it."
Live dates for later in the year will be announced shortly.
Hallo zusammen / Hi everybody (for English version, scroll down please ;) ),
"Suicidal Peace" ist beim amerikanischen Label Quickstar nun auf einem Sampler erschienen. Wenn ihr für wenig Geld einen guten Song haben wollt und dabei eine aufstrebende Band unterstützen, dann könnt ihr den Song (0,84 €) und den ganzen Sampler (9,31 €) bei Amazon kaufen:
(wenn der Link nicht geht, einfach nach "Rock4Life 10" suchen)
Außerdem gibt's den Song auch auf iTunes.com: nach "Suicidal Peace" suchen.
Der ganze Sämpler ist auch bei uns erhältlich, für 6€. Gebt Bescheid wenn ihr einen wollt, dann könnt ihr entweder Bar zahlen oder per Überweisung.
Und nicht vergessen. Morgen, Sa den 11.7. spielen wir letztes Mal dieses Jahr live in Augsburg: 16 Uhr Einlass, 20 Uhr Gig. Als Rahmenprogramm gibt's Bar, Festzelt, Chill Out Zone mit Hängematten und Pool, nachmittags Vorführungen (Kampfsport-Choreographien und sowas) und abends dann 7 Bands auf 2 Bühnen); alles (außer Pool vermutlich) überdacht. Ort: Gartenanlage Hirblinger Straße (Straba 4 oder 2 bis eine nach Wertachbrücke fahren und dann Richtung Holzweg/Bärenkeller laufen oder mit Linie 21 direkt hinfahren). Name des Festivals: DÜVSTOCK.
Ok, das wars, bis dann, freudigste Grüße JIGSAW PUZZLE
ENGLISH
Dear all,
our band's song "Suicidal Peace" was finally released last week - on American label "Quickstar" 's sampler "ROCK4LIFE Volume 10". You can buy the song for 1 € / $ / GBP in www.iTunes.com (just search the song there).
You can also buy the song or the whole sampler for the same price (/per song) on www.amazon.com (or www.amazon.co.uk or whatever). Just search the cd ("Rock4Life 10").
We'd be very happy if you listened to the song. Then buy it and tell your friends to buy it. It's cheap and it's good and you'll help a talented band.
Hi Kelly, Many many Thanks for your Friendship!! Because I love so much The song "You're My Star" I became Fan of the Stereophonics. I bought all CD's. Unfortunately I live in Germany. Do you know, why it is forbidden here to download "You're My Star"? All countries offer the song. But Germany not.
We have just released our new single: "Kiss Me" and 2 b-sides! 3 new songs up on our myspace page! We'll be glad if you and all the people who love rock and roll check us out!
Online Now!
