Somewhere I Can Be is the new single from English songwriter John Forrester (out tomorrow, January 26th). The song features on his fourth album Restless (due out on February 23rd, 2018 via Irregular Records). John shared the following about the song which you can watch him performing live in session below alongside Jenny Carr and Linze Maesterosa.
“It’s a song for hometowns and all the bits of us that we leave behind. Maybe you’ve moved away from where you grew up, but something pulls you back there. While recording the new album, I was reminded of my former self, and suddenly wasn’t sure where I belonged. You make a life for yourself, but then you’re suddenly back in the past. There’s definitely a comfort in familiarity but also a disconnect, as you’re now effectively just a visitor.
“As the album title suggests, Restless explores the transient underpinning of the lone musician and the tension that arises when they become tethered to a place not of their choosing. Songs of travel, displacement, creativity and disappointment sit alongside those that explore the journey we all make through life.”
While working on the album, a close family member’s terminal illness forced Forrester to pause mid-album and spend time back in his hometown to care for his loved one. “You make a life for yourself,” he reflects. “But then you’re pulled back to something in the past. Back in the town you grew up in. There’s definitely a comfort in familiarity but also a disconnect, as you’re now effectively just a visitor.”
These events seeped into Forrester’s writing. “It certainly coloured the album. There are songs that wouldn’t have otherwise existed. The album changed shape.” Previously recorded songs no longer seemed right and new work emerged as Forrester’s world changed irrevocably – and when recording resumed, a broader canvas was laid out upon which the new songs were afforded more room to breathe and be heard.
Working with a producer – Fairground Attraction’s Roy Dodds – for the first time, Forrester was encouraged to play less and not fill every pocket of the aural spectrum. The result is a cohesive yet adventurous album that, although reminiscent of Forrester’s earlier work, explores new ground both musically and lyrically.
Restless is an album born of change – with two very different sides owing to its divided recording process. It’s also a record that relishes in a newfound sense of experimentation and collaboration while staying true to its creator’s restless soul.
Find out more here: http://forrester.uk.com/
John has a number of live dates coming up including an appearance on BBC Radio Ken Folk Show. Click here for dates and more details.