Brighton based multi-instrumentalist John J. Presley returns this month after a 3-year hiatus with a new single through God Unknown Records. Titled Sinnerman, this brooding, haunting new opus is the first cut to be lifted from Presley’s new album Chaos And Calypso, which drops on 20th October and features a vocal collaboration from Blood Red Shoes singer and guitarist Laura-Mary Carter.
It is a diary piece that echoes a period of ill health, of spiralling vertigo and misdiagnoses., Sinnerman shows Presley’s trademark guitar tone in full effect with enough space in the mix now to weave in a new palette of textures from drum machines and synths throughout. In addition, the new tune features The Invisible’s Tom Herbert on double bass and was recorded with Ian Davenport at Courtyard Studios.
John J. Presley
“Sinnerman is a result of bad advice, crippling swirling illness and our reliance on big pharma. Cycles of societal problems with no solid plan for the future depress and feed the anxious state. I made it out, thankfully,” explains Presley. “Having Laura-Mary Carter sing on the track was perfect. We toured with Blood Red Shoes a few years back and have remained friends ever since. She’s a real force, the real deal.”
Sinnerman is the first new music from Presley since his debut album As The Night Draws In in 2019 and the vinyl only lockdown release Albany Sessions, which were both released to great acclaim. Presley’s music is hard to categorise but that is its strength – from folk blues noir moments to tasteful post rock walls of sound – classic songwriting to improvised, experimental moments, Presley is constantly creating a tapestry that will engage, challenge and inspire. “The album is coming through God Unknown Records later in the year” he continues. “Feels good to be on a label with a collective of similar artists, like my long time compadre Duke Garwood. Big thanks to Jason Stolly at God Unknown for his passion to support.”
Watch the video for Sinnerman below:
Presley plays guitar, bass and pedal steel on the new record and is an in-demand player too – Nadine Shah, Duke Garwood, Laura-Mary Carter, Juanita Stein and Smoke Fairies have all had him join their line ups.
Presley has been out on the road in support of this first release with live dates across Europe and the UK with Radiohead’s Philip Selway and Gaz Coombes (Supergrass) and with early support from BBC 6 Music, John Kennedy’s X-Posure Hot One, and plays from Bad Seed Jim Sclavunos, it looks like a busy year ahead.
Catch John J. Presley live at the following dates with Gaz Coombes:
MAY
25th – The Sugarmill, Stoke on Trent
26th – Gloucester Guildhall
JUNE
14th – Worthing Festival
15th – Falmouth Princess Pavillion
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