Singer-songwriter – TOM JENKINS – is pleased to share a brand new album âMeadow Part 1â (via Xtra Mile Recordings).Â
The surprise release arrives with the official video for lead track âIs There A Next One?â.
Following the successes of his previous two full-band, full-production albums, âMeadow Part 1â finds Tom Jenkins stripping things right back to create an intimate and acoustic record that nods both to his breadth as a songwriter and his life in rural Wales.
Recorded in his sheep barn on his farm in the South Wales Valleys, Tomâs stark, ethereal vocals and finger-strumming guitars give space for the music to bring the remoteness of this landscape to life. Set to be released in two parts, with âMeadow Part 1â arriving as the first offering, Tom Jenkins explains:
âAfter two full-band albums, itâs back to basics on âMeadowâ. Itâs written, produced and recorded by myself, and I focused more on capturing raw moments through one mic, live takes and purposely keeping the songs as bare as possible.â
With a broad spectrum of classic and modern influences including Elliott Smith, Bob Dylan, Adrianne Lenker and Ben Howard seeping into each of the tracks, Tom adds:
âEach song bears the raw emotions that can only be captured in this style of recording, and captures the ambiance of an old barn with the rain and wind hammering the structure. âMeadowâ is simply music captured in the moment and left in its original state.â
A pared-back album comprising five tracks in its first part, âMeadow Part 1â places the spotlight primarily on Tomâs distinctive vocal and guitar playing, with only occasional hints of percussion or harmonica. But, for its minimalism, the record doesnât compromise on style or substance.
From rugged folk opener âMeadowâ to the more upbeat and jangling country-tinted cut âIs There A Next Oneâ, and from the meticulous plucking guitars and balmy vocal harmonies on âDroversâ to the sparse and serene melodies of âA Face in a Cloudâ, the album pins together a series of spaced-out soundscapes that bring to life the remoteness and tranquillity of Tomâs life on the farm.
âMEADOW PART 1â
STREAM ON ALL SERVICESÂ HERE
âMeadow Part 1â is Tom Jenkinsâ third studio album and follows last yearâs âIt Comes In The Morning, It Hangs In The Evening Skyâ. Featuring contributions from a range of special guests Phil Campbell (Motorhead), Marc Ford (The Black Crowes), Elijah Ford (Gary Clark Jr) and Paul Mullen (YOURCODENAMEIS:MILO, The Automatic), the 2022 LP attracted praise from the likes of The Rodeo, Buzz Magazine and Americana UK, and also landed Tom a spot as Huw Stephensâ âArtist of the Weekâ.
Citing his influences as an amalgam of classic artists like Jeff Buckley, Bruce Springsteen and Silverchair, along with more modern frontrunners including Phoebe Bridgers, Big Thief and Band Of Horses, Tom Jenkins has been making his own innovative brand of indie-folk since 2016.
Hailing from the high country of the South Wales Valleys, surrounded by the ex-coal mining communities and rugged landscapes, Tom works on a sheep farm where he gains inspiration for his songwriting and recording.
Read what we had to say when Tom supported Andrew Mcmahon in London.