John J Presley writes music that can paint a thousand pictures. Soaring soundscapes, to instant future garage rock classics to meditative studies, his palette is huge, with inspiration from the likes of Coltrane, Mingus and Waits…
We’re thrilled to welcome him to Ramsgate on Friday 9th February!
“A searing, soulful touch, an oasis of calm amid the torrent of noise” – The Times
Brighton based multi-instrumentalist John J Presley returns in 2023 after a 3-year hiatus with a news of a new album Chaos & Calypso – coming through God Unknown Records on October 20th 2023.
The first cut to arrive from the long player is Sinnerman – a brooding, hypnotic track featuring a vocal collaboration from Blood Red Shoes singer and guitarist Laura-Mary Carter. It’s a slight shift in sound for Presley – with use of drum machines, synths and pedal steel too but still as ever possesses his trademark guitar tone which every guitar player watches open mouthed. Early support from 6 Music, Radio X, Bad Seed Jim Sclavunos and more confirm that Presley is back for the next chapter. The new album features more collaboration too – with The Invisible’s Tom Herbert on bass and Terry Edwards on horns (PJ Harvey).
After touring for most of the spring with Radiohead’s Philip Selway and Gaz Coombes – at the artists’ invitations, Presley is firming up the summer season with many more live dates to come.
“A ferocious, belly-deep sound, but somehow tender with it” – The Guardian
“A phenomenal sound” – Rolling Stone Magazine
“A beautiful noise that at once grips and beguiles, as befits a natural-born storyteller” – The Quietus
