MONSTER 10TH ALBUM UNLEASHED
8 BALL AITKEN – ‘SWAMP BLUES’
Ex-pat singer-songwriter, 8 Ball Aitken, kicks off 2018 on tour in Australia with the launch of his 10th album, Swamp Blues, a monster of a release strongly influenced by his experiences immersed in the soul of America’s Deep South.
8 Ball says “As a resident of USA, much of my touring is traversing between Texas and Tennessee and travelling through Louisiana, home to the gritty, sub-genre sound I love the most (and birth place of one of my musical heroes, Tony Joe White).
Swamp Blues is a cathartic album, one which I have wanted to write for a long time. It’s my salute to the rhythms of the Deep South, lyrically inspired by southern themes and is my most stripped back recording to date. Of the 12 tracks, two were co-written with friend and 100% certified Texas Bluesman, Guthrie Kennard, and it was such a thrill to be creative partners on High Water and Mama’s Cookin’.
Recorded at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas’ Hill Country, the tracks were laid down through an analogue 70’s tape machine for the warm guitar tones and cool Hammond organ with studio musicians from legendary outfits including Tedeschi Trucks drummer JJ Johnson and former Bob Dylan bass player Glenn Fukunaga.”
Swamp Blues is available on CD, iTunes, vinyl record and cassette. The first single and music video 'Lindy Loo' is out now.
Track Listing:
Apple Tree was written in my sleep and the song was still in my head when I woke up, so I recorded a demo straight away. The lyrics, chords, groove, and melody are all basically the same as the dream.
Lindy Loo takes my breath away. It’s all there.
Six String pays homage to as many of my blues guitar heroes as would fit into a 4-minute song with two lead guitar breaks.
Iron Horse is a tribute to the rhythm and freedom of the road. And my first biker song!
High Water is a Mississippi groove (co-written with Guthrie Kennard) warns to take heed as the storm rolls in.
Sugar In My Coffee is a New Orleans inspired groove with lyrics about wanting more of the sweet and fun things in life.
Drop On By is a gentle song about love and friendship and being there, taking care of those in need.
Mama’s Cookin’ was co-written in Guthrie’s place and describes how life in the Deep South revolves around fried chicken! Guthrie also contributed to the low backing vocals.
Say You Love Me is about trusting, understanding, and knowing that someone loves you by their actions not by their words.
Sweet As You is a tale of a man stumbling home drunk after losing his woman.
Drunk and Stoned is for all the late night rowdy characters who fill the dance floor and features 3-string cigar box guitar and kazoo.
Love Makes The World Go Round is a Mars vs. Venus battle of the sexes theme that results in compromising and meeting in the middle to get along.”
For media copies, images and interviews, please contact Sue Camilleri on 0408 412 512 and email soozcam@bigpond.net.au.
AUSTRALIAN - SWAMP BLUES TOUR DATES 2018
February 6 - NSW, Dubbo, Old Bank Restaurant, 9pm
February 8 – NSW, Newcastle, Lizotte’s, 7pm – Bookings: https://lizottes.com.au/live/shows/booking/2200
February 9 – NSW, Goulburn, Australian Blues Music Festival, The Attic (Astor Hotel upstairs), 10pm
February 10 – NSW, Braidwood, Royal Hotel, 7:30pm
February 11 – NSW, Mudgee, Mudgee Brewery, 4pm
February 16 – QLD, Brisbane, Walrus Club, 9pm
February 17 – QLD, Brisbane, Greaser, 10pm
February 18 – QLD, Bundaberg, Heart & Soul Festival, 10am-4pm
USA - SWAMP BLUES TOUR DATES 2018
February 22 – TN, Nashville, Richard’s, 7:30pm
February 23 - TN, Nashville, Las Fajitas, 8pm
February 24 - TN, Jackson, Jackson Elks Club, 8pm
February 25 - TN, Nashville, Richard’s,12pm
February 27 – TN, Nashville,The Local, 8:30pm
March 2 - TN, White House, Private Concert, 7pm
March 4 – TN, Nashville, Skully’s Saloon, 7pm
March 10 – TX, Conroe, Red Brick Tavern, 9pm
https://theredbricktavern.thundertix.com/events/121607
March 11 – TX, Fort Worth, Fred’s Texas Café, 3pm
March 25 - FL, Tampa, Independent Bar, 6:30pm
March 28 – FL, Englewood, House Concert Hosted by Dance, 7pm
March 30 – FL, Fort Meyers, Alice Schaefer House Concert, 7pm
March 31 - FL, Cape Coral, Tom Rowen House Concert, 5pm
April 1 – FL, St Petersburg, Amy Friedman House Concert -
https://www.ConcertsInYourHome.com/event-afriedman20180401.html
April 4 – FL, South Tampa, South Tampa House Concert, 7pm
April 7 - FL, Brooksville, Stringbreak Music Festival
April 8 – FL, Brooksville, Stringbreak Music Festival
MORE AUSTRALIAN - SWAMP BLUES TOUR DATES 2018
April 13 – QLD, Kuttabull, Kuttabul Hotel, 8pm
April 14 – QLD, Boyne Valley, Elder Country Music Campout
April 15 – QLD, Bucca, Bucca Hotel, 1pm
April 21 – QLD, Yeppoon, Rainforest Ranch,
April 28 – QLD, Mackay, Mirani Blues Festival, 10am-10pm
May 6 – QLD, Gold Coast Hinterland, Wongawallan Watering Hole Musical Extravaganza, Gold Coast, 5pm
May 12 – QLD, Mulgowie, Mulgowie Hotel, 7PM
May 13 – QLD, Brisbane, Mt Coot-tha Songwriters Festival, 11am-5pm
May 25 – QLD, Mackay, Leap Hotel, 7:30pm
June 2 – QLD, Agnes Water, Agnes Water Tavern, 8pm
June 22 – QLD, Caloundra RSL Blues Festival
June 24 - QLD, Caloundra RSL Blues Festival
