It’s been a hectic summer for Jack Valero as he prepares to release his new EP Not In Kansas Anymore on 29th January 2025 – a set produced by the acclaimed Top 5 solo artist Jamie Webster, and Jack’s first for Modern Sky UK (Lottery Winners, Red Rum Club).
Jack Valero
The EP’s lead single Always Something You Can Do was supported by BBC Introducing, Radio X, This Feeling and Amazing Radio ahead of the Hope Not Hate Tour. The follow-up, Karaoke Dreams, then received its premiere from Chris Hawkins from 6 Music before Jack and his band got festival season underway with the Isle of Wight and three sets during a memorable Glastonbury weekend. Now Valero continues to drive forward as he shares his latest single Heaven Help Me.
Heaven Help Me is a song with an unusual back story. It was originally Valero’s very first independent solo release, a sombre, gospel-tinged song written as his reaction to the turmoil of the pandemic. But as he prepared for sessions for his upcoming EP, Jamie Webster suggested revisiting it. Together they made Heaven Help Me something radically different. Now it’s a vibrant, explosive power-pop track, a context which totally changes the tone of Jack’s lyrics.
Jamie Webster @ Glastonbury Festival 2024
Valero says: “Heaven Help Me shows the political side of my music. It was inspired by the total feeling of helplessness and dismay I felt at the state of the world and my own personal situation. It felt as if the world around me and my personal life were one and the same, going through great upheaval and lasting changes that were scary and overwhelming.
Jack Valero @ Glastonbury Festival 2023
Once I got working with Jamie Webster, he said he loved the sentiment and felt that instead of it being a sad ode to dismay as I originally intended, it should be a rising call to action! It should be given the anger, attitude and intensity that the message deserved and that’s exactly what we did. He transformed it completely and now it bursts out like a shouting chant through a megaphone. I think it also perfectly reflects my own personal progression, feeling lost and alone when I first wrote the song to now having a new-found confidence and energy. I had no idea what was going to come from reworking an old song, but I’m so glad we did and I’m constantly impressed by Jamie’s vision.”
From its singles so far, Not In Kansas Anymore is shaping up to be a striking evolution in the 30-year-old’s style since his previous EP, last year’s This Is A Nightmare. His songcraft, rich melodies and skill for delivering intriguing lyrics all remain in fine focus, but the energy and positive feel of his music has been elevated to new heights.
Check out the original video for Heaven Help Me below and listen to and listen to it’s latest incarnation here:
Following dates supporting Jack Jones earlier this month, Jack Valero’s next stage of touring includes guests to Jamie Webster, The Clause and Mick Head And The Red Elastic Band:
NOVEMBER: supporting Jamie Webster
19th – Keele, University
20th – Newcastle, 02 City Hall
21st – Lincoln, Engine Shed
NOVEMBER: supporting The Clause
22nd – London, Omeara
23rd – Brighton, Green Door Store
DECEMBER: supporting Mick Head And The Red Elastic Band
6th – Bristol, Thekla
7th – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Jamie Webster Keeps It Political With Billy Bragg At Glastonbury 2024
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