Next month sees the release of James Elkington‘s new album, Ever-Roving Eye, via Paradise of Bachelors (on April 3rd). Today, he presents a new single from the album, “Late Jim’s Lament,” with its accompanying video. Don’t miss his upcoming performances in the UK with Joan Shelley (see dates below).
“Late Jim’s Lament” is a white-knuckled nightmare about being late (because he’s rarely on time) and about being “late” (because of an even greater fear of being dead before he gets everything done). “No matter how I drive I know I can’t out-drive the hearse, ’cause it’s too late in my mind and getting later all the time,” sings Elkington, sounding not unlike his hero Davy Graham shouldering his way into a Joy Division rehearsal. The song, driven by Nick Macri’s sly upright bass and Elkington’s acoustic guitar, culminates in a stunning, flamenco-inspired solo.
The tracks’s beguiling video, directed by Timothy Musho, features temporal imagery paired with clips of Elkington. It was inspired by surrealism and stop motion classics of Jan Svankmajer and Terry Gilliam.
Ever-Roving Eye is the follow-up his 2017 debut, Wintres Woma, and was recorded at Wilco’s Loft studio in Chicago. The album, recorded with previous collaborators Nick Macri (James’ longtime bass colleague) and Ohmme’s Macie Stewart (violin), plus new recruits Lia Kohl (cello), Spencer Tweedy (drums), The Weather Station’s Tamara Lindeman (vocals), and the prolific Paul Von Mertens (Brian Wilson) on woodwinds, ropes in echoes of British library musics, horror-film soundtracks, demure psychedelia, and more rocking elements of folk-rock.
In support of Ever-Roving Eye, Elkington will hit the road this spring with fellow Chicagoans, Wilco, supporting them for a run of dates along the west coast. He plays an album release show at The Hideout in Chicago on Thu. April 16th before heading overseas where he will join Joan Shelley for a slew of performances in the UK.
Pre-order Ever-Roving Eye:
Paradise of Bachelors (black or green glass LP/CD) –
Other options (LP/CD/DL/streaming/int’l) – http://smarturl.it/PoB50
James Elkington Tour Dates
(^ = w/ Joan Shelley)
Thu. May 21 – Glasgow, UK @ Mono ^
Fri. May 22 – Newcastle, UK @ Gosforth Civic Theatre ^
Sat. May 23 – Manchester, UK @ The King’s Arms ^
Sun. May 24 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club ^
Mon. May 25 – Bristol, UK @ The Wardrobe Theatre ^
Wed. May 27 – London, UK @ Kings Place ^
Thu. May 28 – Brighton, UK @ Hope & Ruin ^
Photo Credit: Timothy Musho