Sandi Thom's New Album Inspired By "Life-Changing" Love
Monday, 21 May 2012
Written by Helen Grant
With a new attitude, a new sound, a new album, a 2012 tour and a life-changing love, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sandi Thom is finally her own woman. Yes, the distinctive voice is still Sandi, but the spirit is renewed, and her highly anticipated fourth studio album 'Flesh and Blood', produced by Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson, reflects her new persona.
Featuring an all-star ensemble, Thom's "coming of age album" as she calls it, has heart, soul and guts pulsating through every vein.
With fan bases in America, Australia, the Middle East and Japan, Sandi's popularity is reaching new and impressive heights. It is fair to say that she has come a long way since her 2006 hit single 'I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)'. Making her mark on the international music scene and playing live to sell out crowds across the globe, as she enters her fourth decade the girl from Macduff is ready to take on the world.
Never again will she relinquish control to others, as she has done in the past. The Sandi Thom of 2012 is in control of her emotions, her life, and every aspect of her career; personally keeping tabs on her money and maintaining creative control of her own, and her artists', music.
"I control everything, and that's a good feeling," she says. “All I ever want to do is write songs that connect with people. With this album I’ve finally found a place where I can make the very best music I can achieve. The people that only know me from Punk Rocker won’t recognise me on this album. But they are going to discover another side of me.”
Most importantly, Sandi is happy. "My life turned crazy," she says, from the Los Angeles home she shares with superstar blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, who she credits for the "insane" changes in her life. Likening their relationship to a modern-day Johnny Cash and June Carter fairy-tale, Sandi says: “Isn't this what everybody wants? That insane kind of love that utterly consumes you?”
Released August 27th under her own label Guardian Angels Records and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, 'Flesh and Blood' comes 2 years after the label's debut release, the critically acclaimed 'Merchants and Thieves' which remained at No1 on the iTunes blues / rock charts for 4 weeks.
Led by Robinson, drummer Steve Gorman and fellow Black Crowe and session guitarist Audley Freed, this new effort heralds a fresh and exciting chapter in the singer's life.
“Sandi really stretched herself and made a bold new album,” reflects Rich Robinson. “Her songs are honest, vulnerable and very strong. Her vocal abilities are showcased really well, as is her guitar work, and harp playing. I think Sandi’s made a great record. It was a joy to work with her.”
The intriguingly titled track 'I Love You Like A Lunatic' is based on Thom's love affair with Joe, and the album features a rare duet with legendary singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie with 1992 classic 'The Big Ones Get Away'. Growing up in Scotland, Thom got her earliest musical influences from Sainte-Marie, so it was a huge honour to work with her.
She says. “I’ve always been influenced by the Blues and Rock along with singer-songwriters like Dylan, Carole King and Buffy Saint Marie. I grew up on Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac and many more. It was a funny mixture that certainly influenced the way I sing and play.”
Legendary classic rock producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Joe Bonamassa) mixed a couple of tracks, including 'Sun Comes Crashing Down', which is available as a free download from www.sandithom.com.
“Sandi’s writing is fantastic,” says Shirley, “and her singing is wonderful. 'Sun Comes Crashing Down' has the right ingredients to be a hit.”
Respected Nashville stars Mike Webb and James Haggerty, and a guest performance from Rolling Stones collaborator, saxophonist Bobby Keys, complete the line-up.
Thu November 1st 2012 - O2 Academy Islington, London
Fri November 2nd 2012 - The Brook, Southampton
Tue November 6th 2012 - Sage Hall 2, Gateshead
Wed November 7th 2012 - Robin 2, Wolverhampton
Fri November 9th 2012 - Erics, Liverpool
Sat November 10th 2012 - King Tuts, Glasgow
Sun November 11th 2012 - The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Mon November 12th 2012 - HMV Edinburgh Picture House, Edinburgh
Wed November 14th 2012 - The Stables - Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes
Thu November 15th 2012 - Met, Bury
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