The Ferret Presents
Joel Stoker
(The Rifles) + Turncoat Billy
Thursday 28th September
The Ferret | Preston
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Forget everything you think you know about Joel Stoker. Set aside the five consecutive Top 50 albums with The Rifles and the riotous sell-out tours where every tune is transformed into a rousing communal singalong. Erase from your mind support slots with The Who, The Stones, Madness and The Specials and celebrity admirers including Ian Broudie (who produced debut album No Love Lost) and Paul Weller -who memorably joined them on stage to perform ‘Eton Rifles’ at The Forum.
Because his solo debut, The Undertow, sees Joel raising the artistic bar to a whole new level.
Both effortlessly melodic and unflinchingly honest — more of which shortly — its 11 tracks see him entering completely new sonic territory, the ’70s funk-flecked grooves, festival bangers and fiddle-assisted stomps reflecting touchstones ranging from Bob Marley to Arcade Fire to fellow Londoner Michael Kiwanuka.
Having written the songs at home, Joel added some studio polish at his own Right Hook Recordings studio in Walthamstow. With drummer Brendan O’Neill and Rifles pianist Dean ‘Deano’ Mumford having laid down their parts, he added lead guitar, bass, harmonies and percussion himself, with the addition of brass and strings enhancing the widescreen feel.
The result? A hazy, sun-drenched sound reflecting long-held passions for — among others — The Wailers' Catch A Fire and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. “I wanted that bone-dry sound you get on those ’70s records,” enthuses Joel. “It’s hard to explain, but you know when you’ve got it.”
Keep calm and carry on, people. Because in an age of say-nothing pop and corporate rock, The Undertow does what all great music should — lift the spirits and stir the soul. There won’t be a better album released this year.
Come on in — the water’s lovely.
With support from Turncoat Billy:
Turncoat Billy was born in a brewery in Tottenham in 2022 before making E17 their spiritual home. Blending a 60s hypnotic guitar sound with a sharp wit and melody, the band recorded their first single in Walthamstow in January 2023.
Influences are far and wide from: Blur, The Byrds, Chas n Dave, T. Rex, The Wave Pictures, Little Barrie, Warren Zevon and everything in between.
The band returned to the studio in July 2023 with new single 'Hand Me Downs' and embark on a UK tour supporting Joel Stoker.
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Wednesday 12th July, 10am: Pre-Sale: http://skiddle.com/e/36392917
Friday 14th July, 10am: General On-Sale
Pre-order the new Joel Stoker album for access to the exclusive pre-sale tickets. Pre-sale links will be sent to fans who order the album on any format from Joel's official store: https://joelstoker.tmstor.es/