James Vincent McMorrow
Special Edition of ‘Early In The Morning’ released February 5
UK Tour: February 15, Royal Festival Hall (sold out)
“Sounds both fresh and as if they’ve been in your head forever…McMorrow’s debut deserves its success” Q, ****
“The Irish songsmith’s haunting, soulful sound blossoms….he will be unstoppable” Guardian ****
“Vocals, lyrics and arrangements whose restraint and subtlety are totally at odds with the profound impact and resonance of his songs’ Sunday Times Culture
“Dusky vignettes on unseen and wondrous magic…gorgeous” NME
“Captivating…An arresting journey from emotional trials to aural pleasure” Uncut, ****
“His high, hoarse timbre is used to magnificent effect” Mojo, ****
Dublin’s James Vincent McMorrow will release a special edition of his acclaimed debut album, ‘Early in the Morning’, on February 5 (Believe Digital). This follows the Top 20 success of McMorrow’s new single, ‘Higher Love’, which currently soundtracks the LoveFilm adverts. James will now tour the UK in February, before playing a sell-out date at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 15.
‘Early In the Morning’ has earned James an extensive fan-base and significant critical plaudits since its release in March 2010. The record has since gone Gold, been nominated for the Choice Music Prize – the Irish Mercury – and seen McMorrow spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively (stopping off at Glastonbury, Latitude and ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ along the way). This beautiful special edition of the record sees the addition of McMorrow’s most recent hit, ‘Higher Love’, as part of an extra disc of bonus tracks: these include live takes of the album track ‘We Don’t Eat’ and Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’, together with the gorgeous ‘We Are Ghosts’.
The success of ‘Early In The Morning’ is far removed from the slow-but-steady route McMorrow took when making music. Having begun his career drumming in hardcore bands, James dropped out of college and spent his teens laboriously teaching himself how to sing and write songs: four years were dedicated to simply learning his craft, whilst making ends meet pushing trolleys at an airport. McMorrow later accepted the offer of a six-month stint in an isolated house by the Irish Sea, where his songwriting finally flourished. An album quickly emerged inspired by everything from Donny Hathaway to the dark, turn-of-the-century narratives of John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald. As his recent success is a testament to, James’ pursuit of perfectionism was worth the wait.
February 8 – Liverpool - Masque
February 9 – Gateshead - Sage
February 10 – Sheffield - Plug
February 11 - Bristol - Fleece
February 12 - Oxford - Academy
February 13 - Norwich - Arts Centre
February 15 - London - Royal Festival Hall *sold out*
