James Vincent McMorrow – Early In The Morning (Special Edition Album)
Label: Believe Digital
Release date: 2/5/12 James Vincent McMorrow is going from strength to strength. His debut album “Early In the Morning” has earned him 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 and the Irish Mercury, and has seen James spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively (stopping off at Glastonbury, Latitude and ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ along the way).
Following the success of his new single, a cover of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” featured in LOVEFiLM’s TV ad campaign through November, December and January and the single’s top 20 success in the charts, James will release a special edition of his acclaimed debut album on February 5th through Believe Digital, before embarking on a tour around the UK this month. His 7 date tour will end with a sold out show at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 15th.
The physical release of the Special Edition album, featuring 4 bonus tracks including his stunning version of Higher Love, is available here:
Alternatively you can get a digital copy with 3 bonus tracks here:
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*
James’s cover of the Steve Winwood song, Higher Lover, was selected by LOVEFiLM to be the sound of their November, December and January television ad campaign. The single is raising money for Headstrong, a charity dedicated to changing the way Ireland thinks about young peoples mental health. Support James and Headstrong by grabbing your copy of Higher Love below.
James’s cover of the Steve Winwood song, Higher Lover, was selected last month by LOVEFiLM to be the sound of their November and December television ad campaign.
‘I stumbled across it after I saw him on Later with Jools Holland. Straight away I knew this was the right track for us, so I started digging. As it turns out, James and his record company are great people as well as great musicians. Because the best thing about all this is that proceeds from the use and sale of this track are going to a charity in Ireland called Headstrong.’ - Simon Morris, LOVEFiLM
Have a listen to James’s unique and haunting version below.
Headstrong is a charity dedicated to changing the way Ireland thinks about young people’s mental health. Silver Lining, Headstrongs charity album went on sale back in May. A combination of James’ donation and funds raised from the sale of the album come to €20,000 so far. Head over to their website to read more about how James has been helping the Charity, and to find out what you can do.
Since 2006 The Great Escape Festival has been widely accepted as the leading international event for showcasing new music.
Bands of note to play the TGE stage in the past include : Kasabian, Noah And The Whale, Broken Social Scene, Chase & Status, Mumford & Sons, Santogold, Kate Nash, Laura Marling and The Gossip, true testament to TGE’s music discovery power.
The Great Escape is for many, the beginning of the festival season, and why wouldn’t it be?
Seasoned performers, spanking new acts, scheduled and impromptu gigs, all at a myriad of venues in Brighton…
Today, James Vincent McMorrow, had a secret gig on Brighton beach. We gave a wee bit of warning on Twitter, so hopefully some of you made it.
James Vincent McMorrow has today announced a plea for the return of stolen equipment, after his car was broken into upon arriving in London.
James says: “We got into London very late on Wednesday, and stupidly left two bags in the car. I woke up this morning to find some kind stranger had smashed my back window and relieved me of both those bags, which contained the microphone I used to record my entire album with, along with guitar pedals, stage mics, pro tools rigs and looms. As ways to start the day go, this was not the best.”
The incident occurred on May 4, or the early hours of May 5, near the Ibis Hotel in Earls Court. Anyone with any further information is encouraged to come forward
Please note a full list of the stolen property :‘Protools rig, Neumann KMS 105 black mic, Shure KSM 9 mic, AKG 414 mic, and BOSS AD-8 guitar processor’).
McMorrow released his acclaimed debut album, ‘Early in The Morning’, earlier this year. He has sold out a date at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on May 31, and will release a new single, ‘Sparrow &The Wolf’, in June, as well as playing the likes of Glastonbury and Great Escape Festival.
For more information please contact peter@partisanpr.com
This post is by Believe Digital A&R/ Label Manager, William Headlam-Wells @WillHW
James Vincent McMorrow is going from strength to strength. His debut album “Early In the Morning” has earned him 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 and the Irish Mercury, and has seen James spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively (stopping off at Glastonbury, Latitude and ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ along the way).
