If (like me) you think it’s been a long, long winter – then the toe-tapping new single due out tomorrow (April 14) from The Jackson Line will put you in a good mood.
From the moment it energetically kicks off with a beaty drum intro, Shade of the Pines is summer in a bottle, and you’ll want to be out there blasting this one away in an open-top sports car.
Dreaming of days on the beach, waves on your feet and the shade of the (Norfolk-inspired) pines – the catchy chorus alone is enough to put a smile on your face.
Already getting plenty of radio play, the single has been a long time in the making for the three-strong Essex-based modern country/Americana band and is the first to be released off a forthcoming seven-track EP to follow later this year.
Lead vocalists Keith Porter and Jamie Cook, together with guitar player Jim Cross put storytelling, harmonies and guitars at the heart of what they do.
Inspired by their musical influences The Bros. Landreth, Band of Heathens, Blackberry Smoke and that (little-known) band The Eagles; last year the threesome packed their bags and headed to Winnipeg, Canada to bring their new music to life with multi-Juno, CCMA and WCMA award-winning producer Murray Pulver. Who just happens to have worked with The Bros. Landreth and many others, including our very own Katy Hurt.
And did I mention that drummer Ryan Voth (of The Bros. Landreth) even joined them to play on the new EP?
More tales of their Winnipeg adventures to come in a separate interview on Six Shooter Country very soon but suffice to say that judging by this brand new single, that trip was time and money well spent.
You can still pre-save Shades of the Pines https://artists.landr.com/055120464508 here or download it from the usual channels tomorrow. And, if you want to see them close up and personal, The Jackson Line will be at festivals this summer including Black Deer and Chickenstock, and the just-announced Hot Box Country and Folk Festival in their home county in August.
Plus, if you’re in (or near London) then there’s a gig with Eddy Smith on June 7.
Follow The Jackson Line on socials @thejacksonline for more info.