Thursday 6 July 2017



BRAND NEW EP ‘GRAFT & GRIEF’
RELEASED 8th SEPTEMBER 2017


Following the exciting news that Southampton-born singer Seán McGowan has signed a deal with Xtra Mile Recordings – he now reveals details of a brand new EP ‘Graft & Grief’ to be released 8th September 2017 on silver vinyl, CD and digital. The 7 track EP features the singles ‘No Show’ (released late 2016) and ‘Apple Core’ released earlier this year – as well as new track ‘Costa Del Solution’. With two poems book-ending the EP, ‘Graft & Grief’ showcases Seán’s lyrical dexterity, knack for penning a catchy melody and laser sharp social commentary.


'No Show' puts zero-hour-contract, minimum-wage drudgery into riotous perspective, rebellion in half-arsed job performance, revenge in furiously-paced folk-punk whilst 'Apple Core' draws gentle echoed gallops while Seán spits lyrics at a pace, a rowdy chorus nailing his unexpected eloquence. 'Dog Tag' flows from chin-up confidence to raw honesty and 'Clear Conscience' rumbles with drum rolls under soft guitars. Finally, new song 'Costa Del Solution' is a bright, sunny jangle set upon high street despondency and twists the cliché of a beach holiday escape.

'Graft & Grief' is an impressive showcase for his rollicking full-band set of socially spot-on songs; an insight into realities of being young and musically-motivated in modern England.

Coinciding with the release, Seán will play his biggest headline tour to date playing with a full band.

UK HEADLINE TOUR
SEPTEMBER 2017
8 Manchester – Jimmy’s
9 Nottingham – Bodega
14 Bristol – The Exchange
15 London – Sebright Arms
16 Southampton – The Loft

Seán has felt part of the Xtra Mile family for a while now, through his regular touring with the likes of Frank Turner, Skinny Lister, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Rob Lynch and Beans On Toast.  Over the past 6 years Seán has been steadily building up his now considerable fan base by being near a constant force on the touring circuit as well as supporting Billy Bragg and performing packed out slots at Glastonbury and The Great Escape.

Raised on a diet of The Clash, The Jam, Specials, Billy Bragg and other such politically-charged, punk-ignited British pop, 21 year old Seán self-released two EPs either given away or sold on a pay what you want basis at shows, plus two slices of teenage Southampton life entitled ‘Come Unstuck’ (featuring Frank Turner on backing vocals) and ‘Swings & Roundabouts’, released as a double a-side 7”. Writing has already begun on the album, due to arrive sometime in early 2018.

Order ‘Graft & Grief’ here:

Twitter - @seanmcgowanuk
 DOCUMENTARY FILM ‘GET BETTER – A FILM ABOUT FRANK TURNER’
 AVAILABLE ON DVD 30th JUNE 2017
SUPPORTING BLINK 182 ON THE ROAD THROUGHOUT JULY

Due to popular demand, the documentary film Get Better – A Film About Frank Turner will be released on DVD worldwide on 30th June 2017. Get Better is an exhilarating and candid film about a year in the life of Frank Turner. The film was previously screened in theatres for one night only in December 2016 across UK and US and recently available for stream on 10th -11th June for fans in USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. This special edition DVD also includes Frank’s live performance and exclusive Q&A with Frank, director Ben Morse and journalist Hugo Rifkind from the premiere event at Vue Leicester Square in London.

Filmmaker Ben Morse spent a year trailing one of the most hard-working musicians currently operating and what emerges is a raw, insightful portrayal of an underground hero. A close friend of Turner, Morse originally intended to capture Turner and his band, The Sleeping Souls, in constant motion only to discover a man facing up to his demons, forced to pause touring for the first time in his career.

Get Better – A Film About Frank Turner includes never-before-seen footage from friends, family and fans across the world as well as extensive interviews with Turner and his band as they contemplate what drives a man to stay on the road and the effect that has on his life and those around him. Turner has been one of the breakthrough artists of the millennium, emerging from his punk-rock roots to become a rock icon to diehard fans all over the world. In 2015, everything came to a head as Turner slipped off the wagon and confronted the commercial pressures of mainstream success. 

Additionally, Frank will be supporting Blink 182 in July as well as various festivals throughout the summer.

Frank Turner’s upcoming tour dates are as follows:
(*supporting  Blink 182)


JULY
3 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena*
4 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena*
5 Leeds First Direct*
7 Birmingham Barclaycard Arena*
9 Newcastle Metro Radio*
11 Glasgow The SSE Hydro*
12 Aberdeen AECC*
14 Manchester Castlefield Bowl*
15 Liverpool Echo Arena*
17 Bournmouth BIC*
19 London O2 Arena*
20 London O2 Arena*
28 Y Not Festival (solo)
29 Cambridge Folk Festival (full band)
30 Kendall Calling Festival (full band)
AUGUST
4 Indiependence Festival, Cork (solo)
5 Woodstock Festival, Poland (full band)
6 Erlangen, E-Werk, Germany (full band)
9 Circolo Magnolia, Milan (full band)
11 Boardmasters Festival (full band)
12 Heitere Open Air Festival (full band)
13 Boomtown Festival (solo)
19 Beautiful Days (full band)
24 O2 Ritz, Manchester (solo)
26 Victorious Festival (solo)