Jack Valero has kickstarted a big year ahead by sharing his new single Pull Back The Hammer. It represents the first song to be taken from his debut EP which will follow later this summer. The track is also his first release under a new deal with Modern Sky, where he joins a burgeoning roster which includes The Lottery Winners, Jamie Webster, The Slow Readers Club and Red Rum Club. Pull Back The Hammer sees Valero introducing a forceful, full-throttle live sound, taking in driving open road Americana with a little power-pop punch for good measure. Its protest song attitude is just as vehement as he paints an allegory of a gambling man willing to risk everything for… well, what exactly? The 29-year-old’s voice is also infused with a new-found urgency, his anger spilling out as he brings the song to close.
Jack Valero (Emma Bailey)
Of the release Valero says: “Really excited to be releasing my debut single on Modern Sky with my new band. This song keeps it raucous and hooky while touching on the state of affairs in the world and the worrying sense that long term safeties that were taken for granted are now being undermined, dropping us into an uneasy limbo once thought to be a thing of the past. It’s about history repeating itself and what could possibly be waiting for us down this road if we do nothing to stop it.”
Modern Sky CEO David Pichilingi adds,“We are so happy to welcome Jack to our Modern Sky family. At Modern Sky we are not genre led – we simply sign great artists who write great songs with great stories to tell. Jack fits this bill perfectly. We are very excited to be working with him on the start of his journey and look forward to creating beautiful stories together.”
Pull Back The Hammer was written by Valero and recorded at Echo Zoo Studios in Eastbourne with producer Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers) and engineer Dave Izumi. Check out the video for the new tune below:
Immersed within the world of music his entire life as the son of political folk singer-songwriter Billy Bragg and music manager heavily involved in the SKA scene Juliet Wills, Jack Valero released his first three singles last year – Heaven Help Me, Hollow Warmth and Form Over Function – which united the sharp, observant lyricism and timeless folk-rock melody of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello with a contemporary touch that echoed Sam Fender.
Having recently performed at SXSW as well as completing a UK tour, Valero will play shows including two sets at this month’s Glastonbury Festival as well as Kendal Calling in July with his new band, which consists of Erik Litstrom (guitar), Maxine Cahill (bass), Theo Williams-Burchell (drums) and Amie Shouler (backing vocals). First comes a hometown show at Brighton’s WaterBear as support to Ed Cosens of Reverend And The Makers.
Upcoming UK Live Dates:
JUNE6th – WaterBear, Brighton (supporting Ed Cosens and Tom Bright)22nd – Avalon Lounge Stage, Glastonbury Festival23rd – Greenpeace Stage, Glastonbury Festival JULY6th – Folklore Rooms, Brighton27th – Summer By The River, Southbank, London28th – Tim Peaks Stage, Kendal Calling SEPTEMBER2nd – Cerne Abbas Festival, Dorchester OCTOBER 21st – Pilton Club, Pilton, Shepton Mallet DECEMBER8th – Fire Station, Sunderland (supporting Tom A. Smith)
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