Big Wolf Band Announces New Album ‘Rebel’s Journey’ Shares New Single
One of Britain’s highly acclaimed blues-rock bands Big Wolf Band announce their forthcoming album Rebel’s Journey set to release April 19, 2024. This is their biggest and boldest release to date, and the second installment of the Rebel’s trilogy of albums. Joining forces once more with esteemed producer Mark Stuart and studio engineer maestro Sheena Sear at M2 Studios for their 3rd studio album.
The first single off the album and racing out of the blocks is “Empire and a Prayer.” This is a high energy, pedal to metal riff-based guitar track. It hits you with flavours of southern rock, Americana and hints of the blues, laced with catchy vocal hooks, driving piano and powerful drums.
The song is about escapism, getting away from it all and in this case taking a drive in your favourite car to forget your daily worries. The track is also a little nod to a friend who has provided help to the band in the past. The backing vocals on this track and on the rest of the album is the wonderful Zoe Green. This song demonstrates the band’s ability to move through the gears with ease and ultimately demonstrates a more rocking sound. This track was co-written by Jonathan Earp and Justin Johnson.
This track is the first collaboration between me and Justin,” says Jonathan. “I had all the music and Justin added the lyrics. The song is all about getting in car and going for a drive to clear your head, certainly helps if it’s a nice car! The title is a nod to a friend Mark who helped us out by driving us to a lot of gigs.”
About breaking free, Big Wolf Band’s “Empire And A Prayer” is the best kind of rock and roll driving song in a beautiful 1967 black Mustang, complete with bullet holes in the back. There’s nothing like driving at high speed down the highway to clear one’s head and unleash the confines of what you’ve left behind. With a Springsteen vibe, Big Wolf Band capture the perfect rocking vibe, while the video zeroes in on the Mustang’s tachometer and speedometer.
“Empire And A Prayer”
Stream the new single HERE
The new album Rebel’s Journey is about the growth of the band and frontman’s Jonathan Earp’s personal journey. Big Wolf Band have built a reputation as being one of the best live bands on the circuit, delivering dynamic shows with an expansive range of self-penned songs that cover all flavours of blues rock that truly makes them unique. Rebel’s Journey reinforces this bands creativity, musicianship, and delivery. Each song having its own identity but still that unmistakable Big Wolf sound. The band’s ability to drift between genres while keeping their own sound is a big selling point amongst followers of the band.
“Rebel’s Journey highlights my own personal battle with my mental and physical health,” says vocalist and guitarist Jonathan Earp. “I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS) which affects everything. I had surgery in mid-2019 during our “Be Free” tour to repair damage to my right shoulder, dislocations, and nerve pain. Unfortunately, the operation caused more pain and numbness and for nearly 2 years I struggled to play; some days to even hold a plectrum.”
“Songs like Standing in the Rain, Black Dog Blues and Living on Borrowed Time are about the battles I had during those dark days. My condition will always be a challenge but one I live with and continue to prove doubters wrong.”
Continues Jonathan, “The album isn’t all doom and gloom, despite being in the blues genre. “Empire and a Prayer, my first co-written song with Justin Johnson, as well as Got Me Reeling and Living on Borrowed Time. We have had many a joke with my dark writing style, Justin brings the light and love. Rise Together is one of the songs on the album I am proud of and is all about the power of love, rising together and that anything is possible.”
Big Wolf Band is comprised of Jonathan Earp (lead guitar, vocals), Mick Jeynes (bass), Tim Jones (drums), Justin Johnson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Robin Fox (piano, Hammond organ), and Zoe Green (backing vocals).
2024 also sees Big Wolf Band hit a big milestone reaching their 10th year together as a band. From humble beginning as a 3-piece to the big sound they deliver now as a 5-piece. “Rebel’s Journey” is a fitting name for the album and their 10th year together. The band undertake their biggest headline tour to date adding dates in Germany and the Czech Republic.
Pre-order the album HERE
Rebel’s Journey – Track Listing
1. Empire and a Prayer (3:57)
2. Valley of the Fallen Kings (5:58)
3. Lay it on the Line (3:48)
4. Rise Together (4:06)
5. Six Strings Loaded (4:19)
6. Black Dog Blues (6:07)
7. Standing in the Rain (7:24)
8. Living on Borrowed Time (3:46)
9. Got Me Reeling (4:32)
10. Crazy Love (3:32)
11. Darker Side of You (4:40)
12. Just a Little Bit (5:26)
13. Too Many Times (4:20)
Tour Dates See HERE
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