Tom Jenkins’ recent single ‘Back Roads’ is delivered with a sense of urgency as a rhythmic strum and insistent percussion drive the song forward. There are soaring backing vocals and an anthemic, sing-along chorus, delivered with confidence by a singer and song-writer at the top of his game. ‘Back Roads’ is well-crafted with engaging changes of pace, Jenkins’ tuneful vocal and evocative lyrical content: “The East wind’s cut my skin to ribbons // The winter’s rages not been forgiven.”
The video features footage of Jenkins playing and recording interspersed with truly gorgeous rural landscapes. Such country-side locations and images of farming life reflect Jenkins’ own experiences. Born into a hill farming family in South Wales, Jenkins later pursued his passion for sheep shearing in New Zealand. It was while living in isolated ranch conditions, left alone with his thoughts for weeks at a time, that Jenkins began writing his his solo music.
Following Jenkins’ debut solo album ‘Misery In Comfort’ and his 2020 EP ‘When The Coal Dust Settled’, the former frontman of Straight Lines has just signed to independent label Xtra Mile Recordings and expects to put out his first solo album with the label later this year. Jenkins says: “I’ve had the privilege of sharing almost my whole journey in music with Xtra Mile Recordings. From the label releasing some of my favourite bands and artists, to eventually putting out my own music as a teenager and through to my early twenties with two Straight Lines album campaigns. I’m very excited to begin this new chapter as a solo artist and grateful to be working once again with a great group of people with a great vision and ideas for their roster.” Produced by Todd Campbell, the new material will be released throughout the year and will feature collaborations with the likes of Phil Campbell of Motorhead and Marc Ford from The Black Crowes. Written and recorded during lockdown, the new material promises to be dramatic, atmospheric and absorbing and ‘Back Roads’ is a good sign of what is to come. Enjoy.
