We're thrilled to host the in-store single launch for James Brute's Turn You On (If I Could Still) at the shop on Saturday 5th September at 1pm.
James Brute is the solo project of James Steel, former frontman of The Brute Chorus. Written after relocating from London to Hastings with his young family, his debut solo album Move To The Ghost explores memory, displacement and longing. Drawing on folk, post-blues and alt-Americana, the songs pair acoustic and heavily saturated electric guitars with vintage drum machines, tape delay and spacious arrangements to create an intimate, emotionally direct sound.
The single was written on the brink of leaving London after twenty-five years, Turn You On (If I Could Still) is a dreamlike romantic ballad addressed to an old love. Revisiting the streets of a former relationship, the song imagines returning to places once charged with possibility while wondering what might happen should those paths ever cross again. Originally conceived as a simple demo, it was developed into a fuller arrangement featuring pedal steel from John J Presley, backing vocals by Paul O'Keeffe and bass from Dave Ferrett. It became a quiet favourite of James Brute's live performances before its release.
The show will be at 1pm and entry is free. Support comes from Keith Austin.