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U.S. customers, can now buy Scott's new album digitally, from Island Tunes:
Island Tunes
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of record label ‘Island Records’ Scott has contributed music to a celebratory 3CD set of Classic Island Songs. Scott's contirbution is a cover version of Bob Marley's classic, 'Is This Love'.
Introducing, Bruno Cavellec, the man responsible for the "elsewhere" album artwork:
Intended as a study of a very personal experience, "He Has Left Us Alone" soon developed into a more universal statement of man’s fragility and vulnerability. Painted in the romantic tradition, it shows the influence of German painter David Caspar Friedrich whose depiction of human isolation resonates deeply in me. In my life long attempt to integrate humanity with the natural, unspoilt word, "He Has Left Us Alone" marks a very important step.
Yet, another step was to be made when Scott decided to chose it for his second album. It has always been a dream of mine to collaborate with musicians by illustrating album covers. Lots of my work takes its direct inspiration from music. The creative process often starts when moods and melodies reach deep inside you and take you to a place full of feelings. The whole experience leading to the composition of an original piece of art can be so rewarding.
Needless to say, with Elsewhere’s emotional content and quality, my dream has come true.
Scott Matthews created his second album ‘Elsewhere’ with a single aim in mind. “I wanted to make a record that locks you in,” he says, “something that gives you a feeling that stays with you. For me, making music is all about creating a mood.”
Released on May 18, 2009 on the San Remo label via Island Records, ‘Elsewhere’ is the follow-up to Matthews’ acclaimed debut album ‘Passing Stranger’, which went Silver in the UK and won him an Ivor Novello best song award for the signature single ‘Elusive’. Produced by Matthews and Gavin Monaghan (Mercury Rev, The Smiths, Joe Strummer, Elvis Costello), ‘Elsewhere’ features 11 new songs, including the powerful lead single Fractured and a duet with Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant on ‘12 Harps’.
At the heart of this album is the songwriting craft that has had Wolverhampton-based Matthews compared to such icons as Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley and John Martyn. But Matthews has also expanded his range this time out, with an adventurous approach to writing and recording, incorporating influences as diverse as Nick Cave, David Bowie and The Smashing Pumpkins, and utilising an eclectic array of instrumentation from Theramin to brass band.
“Spontaneity is the key,” he explains. “The more you think about something, the more you lose the feeling of it. A lot of the vocal tracks on this album were recorded in one or two takes. I’d finish the lyrics and then record the song right away, just warm the microphone up and go. The performance aspect is something we’ve really gone for – it can be a great take first time.”
Matthews began writing for this album as early as 2006, when the title track was completed just as he was finishing recording Passing Strangers. Several songs were written on the road during a hectic two-year touring schedule that saw him supporting Rufus Wainwright, Bert Jansch, the Foo Fighters and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. “You end up with tapes marked ‘Düsseldorf, Room 207’,” he says. The remainder of the album was written in Gavin Monaghan’s studio near Wolverhampton, where recording began in February 2008.
“There’s a certain thread running through these songs,” Matthews states. “It became more evident the more I wrote, that there was some kind of connection. There’s a reflective mood to the album. A lot of the tracks fade out, and that was intentional: to give people a chance to reflect on what they’ve just heard.”
Equally, Matthews was keen to experiment within the framework of these new songs. He cites Mercury Rev, The Smashing Pumpkins and Hunky Dory-era Bowie as key reference points. “There’s more quirky stuff this time, more electric guitar, which shows a different side to me. There’s a whole range of sounds, like the brass on ‘Suddenly You Figure Out’ – it’s tuba, trombone, French horn and trumpet, and it’s all just slightly out of tune. It’s a rough and ready colliery band sound, and that adds to the charm of the song. We didn’t care about making it slick – we just thought, that works with that song.”
This anything-goes ethic is reflected in the use of two very different guest musicians on the album. Scott’s brother Darren plays piano on three tracks. “He’s a postman,” Scott says. “He’s keeping it real, man!” And then there’s Robert Plant…
“Planty’s really down to Earth,” Scott says. “He was at Gavin’s studio, sorting out some work experience for his son, and Gavin played him some of my stuff. He’d already heard ‘Passing Stranger’ and he liked my voice more than anything, although some of the things on my first album had that acoustic Led Zep III kind of vibe.”
According to Scott, it was the producer’s idea to have Plant sing on 12 Harps. “The song was just a sketch, but the more I thought about Robert singing on it, the more it worked. The song is very much steeped in the Zeppelin tradition: it has a strange story, and it’s very mystical sounding. So I sent an MP3 to him while he was on tour with Alison Krauss, and he phoned me from Texas saying he’d love to do it.”
It was only when Plant had agreed to duet with him that Scott started to panic. “I was scared at the prospect of singing with him, singing in front of my idol. That raw energy on those first two Zeppelin albums, it’s frightening! But when he turned up at the studio, we just started jamming and I began singing to show him the melody and the phrasing, and I forgot who I was singing with. We only did a couple of takes and nailed it.”
Like Plant, Scott Matthews prefers to stay close to his roots in the Midlands. “When I’m writing I never really know where the inspiration comes from, but I like to be in my own space. When I’m alone with my thoughts, that’s when the lyrics take shape. Most of what I write is kind of abstract, but I’m working towards making the lyrics centre-stage. I’ve been listening to a lot of Nick Cave recently, ‘Abbatoir Blues’. I’ve been getting into Morrissey’s stuff – it’s so funny and so poetic. And I love the surreal edge to Tom Waits’ lyrics, the way he sets you up for a killer line. Listening to artists like them, it’s very inspiring.”
To coincide with the release of ‘Elsewhere’, Scott is undertaking a solo tour of 11 dates across the UK, culminating with an appearance at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre on June 3. “On previous tours I got used to having the other musicians with me. I felt the need to test myself again. And I’m looking forward to playing these new songs for people. I’m really proud of them.”
Scott is also looking forward to the next album: he already has dozens more songs written. “I think the next record could be more minimalist. I could see myself doing something really stripped back, like The Black Keys, or what Beck did on Sea Change, that one mood. I’ve been a musician quite a long time but I’m still experimenting. With this album I’ve learned more about my own voice, and I want to keep moving. I’ve been given this great opportunity to make music. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
‘ELSEWHERE’ the new album by Scott Matthews will be released on 18th May 2009
Congratulations on the new album. It's great to hear some nice earthy rock music again.
Please check out my band 'Signals at Breakfast' - vibraphone - electric guitar - double bass - drums. I think you'd enjoy our new album. I'd love to hear what you think http://www.myspace.com/signalsatbreakfast
Thanks so much for a very special gig in Wolverhampton - like listening to an super-talented cousin in your front room :) James Summerfield did you proud as support. My mate and I had a night to remember.... thanks for doing such an 'intimate' gig
