One of Time Out’s rising stars of 2015, Will Varley has unveiled details of his forthcoming album. Postcards From Ursa Minor will be released on 30 October 2015 on CD, vinyl and download through Xtra Mile Recordings.
You can preorder the album now on CD, vinyl and download from our digital shop, our friends at Banquet Records, through Amazon, or download from iTunes.
You can also stream the lead track ‘Is Anyone Out There?’ as a taster, below:
Produced by Tristan Ivemy and mastered at Abbey Road by Frank Arkwright (Arcade Fire, Blur) Postcards From Ursa Minor is a masterclass in songwriting that pushes the boundaries of the ‘one-man-and-a-guitar’ format. From rowdy drinking songs with sprawling chaotic arrangements to his sparse solo performances, he covers a range of subjects with his trademark sprinkling of social commentary, politics and wry humour.
Observing the world and the plight of humanity as if perched cross-legged on the edge of the moon, Varley’s existential themes cover the planet’s lonely existence within the universe as well as focusing in to tackle the everyday minutia of human life.
‘Is Anyone Out There?’ is a tongue-in-cheek call to any alien lifeforms that may be listening, to come and help stop us destroying Earth. The track has actually been transmitted out into space using a 20-foot parabolic satellite dish in the US. We await a response!
'The Man Who Fell To Earth' tells the story of Jose Matata, an African immigrant whose body was found in a quiet suburban street one morning after falling out of the fuselage of a British Airways plane above London in 2009, attempting to illegally gain entry to the UK. It’s a powerful and timely piece of social commentary.
Songs like 'Outside Over There' and 'Talking Cat Blues' show off Varley's storytelling prowess while 'Seize The Night' and 'From Halcyon' take a more nostalgic approach, lamenting lost friends and times past.
Postcards From Ursa Minor tracklisting is:
1. As For My Soul
2. The Man Who Fell To Earth
3. Seize The Night
4. Outside Over There
5. This House
6. Talking Cat Blues
7. From Halcyon
8. Dark Days Away
9. Send My Love To The System
10. The Endlessness And The Space Between
11. Concept Of Freedom
12. Is Anyone Out There?
13. The Question Of Passing Time
Varley will also be supporting label-mate Frank Turner throughout November on his huge sold out UK tour, playing to over 35,000 people. Full dates are below or can be viewed on our entire-label gigs calendar.
NOVEMBER
05 Llandudno @ Venue Cymru
06 Southampton @ Guildhall SOLD OUT
07 Southampton @ Guildhall SOLD OUT
09 Falmouth @ Princess Pavilion SOLD OUT
10 Falmouth @ Princess Pavilion
13 Glasgow @ Barrowland SOLD OUT
14 Newcastle @ University SOLD OUT
15 Nottingham @ Rock City SOLD OUT
16 Nottingham @ Rock City
18 Birmingham @ Academy
19 Sheffield @ Academy SOLD OUT
21 Bristol @ Colston Hall SOLD OUT
22 Bristol @ Colston Hall
23 Manchester @ Academy SOLD OUT
24 Manchester @ Academy
26 London @ Alexandra Palace
Will signed to Xtra Mile Recordings backstage at the Royal Albert Hall just moments before he performed on stage supporting Frank Turner as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity gig. The 27-year-old rambling singer-songwriter from Kent is a self-made man who, on one recent tour, walked 500 miles with a guitar on his back, playing shows along the way. He makes his own music videos. He co-runs his own record label and music festival, Smugglers. As if mirroring his work ethic, his songs pack narrative detail. Each three or four minutes is earthy and punchy, rolling and rollicking upon barely-concealed anger, or blatant piss-taking.
facebook.com/willvarleymusic / Twitter @willvarleymusic / www.willvarley.com