Last year, acclaimed contemporary folk duo Jacob & Drinkwater released ‘More Notes From the Field’, a lockdown album about human connections despite, or because of, being written remotely. Although a brand new release, the pair’s recent single ‘New Capri’ was penned during the sessions for the album. The song is steeped in nostalgia with matching found video footage of a young couple enjoying the freedom of their new Ford Capri. Lyrically, the song has a balance between fine narrative detail and universal truth: “Hey, did I show this to you? // Must be 1982, Lesley and me // Driving in my new Capri // Life is for living, don’t let it pass you by // ‘Cause you’ll get old, pay your taxes // and then you’ll die // Don’t wait ’til tomorrow // to find your own way // you can start today.” Over a gentle rhythm, there’s a gorgeous vocal melody and smooth harmonies that transport us into a past that was full of wistful hope and optimism.
The duo is comprised of Tobias ben Jacob, known for his solo albums and work with The Roots Union, and multi-instrumentalist Lukas Drinkwater, who has collaborated with the likes of Emily Barker, Frank Turner and Seth Lakeman. After first working together at Glastonbury in 2014, Lucas & Drinkwater have built a loyal following through releasing an EP, live record and their debut album ‘This Old River’. Over time, their sound has evolved and the new material is more expansive, full of layered arrangements and broader instrumental choices, including synths and electric guitar. At its core, though, their music is still based around the acoustic guitar, upright bass and tuneful harmonies. Beautiful stuff. You can catch the duo on their UK tour in late April and May – buy tickets here.
