JOHN – comprised of John Newton (drums, lead vocals) and Johnny Healey (guitar, backing vocals) – return with new single ‘Trauma Mosaic‘ released via Brace Yourself and Pets Care Records. The duo have also announced they will make their North American live debut this October.
‘Trauma Mosaic‘ was recorded by Tom Hill at The Bookhouse in South London, mixed by Seth Manchester (METZ, Big Brave, Battles) and mastered by Frank Arkwright (Arab Strap, Squarepusher, Autechre). It sees the band continue their evolution as they look to redefine and expand the parameters of what a guitar and drums two-piece can be. Driven forward by a crushed drum sample that began as a playful experiment, it finds Newton layering his vocals in an almost chant-like manner before cyclical guitars erupt in classic JOHN fashion and we’re reminded of the primal power the pair possess.
John Newton expands further on the track:
“We like to think the back catalogue really shows how the project has evolved and expanded over the many years/releases. ‘Trauma Mosaic’ feels like a real testament to the ongoing journey, proving that there’s plenty of exploration even within our inherent limitations as a duo. It’s actually become our strength – helping simplify the decision making process, whilst further defining what JOHN is – in a unique sense.”
‘Trauma Mosaic‘ comes accompanied by a video directed by Newton, with the assistance of the band’s long-time collaborator Paul Grace, that while initially matching the palpable tension of the track’s opening moments comes to mirror its larger-than-life finale as a drone quite literally ascends into the atmosphere.
Of the video, Newton offers:
There’s a deliberate claustrophobic repetition to the earlier stages of the song/video, which mirrors the very human tendency to obsess in cycles of thought – it’s certainly something we both struggle with as individuals. If you take the title more literally: we all contain a patchwork of images sewn together from the past, and these memories are used as a map of survival within our present. These primal instincts seem overloaded nowadays, and we become open to be haunted by even the slightest reflection.”
“Having shot the video in the confines of a domestic space, we decided that the expansive closing section of the song should also be honoured in the contrast of imagery. Luckily Paul had been experimenting with shooting from a drone, so we sent it up about 300 metres into the sky, thankfully avoiding the seagulls that are almost always overhead.”
The release of ‘Trauma Mosaic’ today comes accompanied by the news that the duo will be making their North American debut in October. Having developed a reputation as one of the most uncompromisingly powerful propositions on the UK live circuit over the past decade – and one with a fiercely devoted cult following – it marks a thoroughly well-deserved next step for one of the country’s most beloved indie-rock institutions.
JOHN Tour Dates
May 5th | Oxford, UK – Jericho Tavern
May 6th | Exeter, UK – The Cavern
May 7th | Falmouth, UK – The Cornish Bank
May 24th | Bedford, UK – Esquires
May 26th | Overzande, NL – Klompop Festival
May 27th | Den Haag, NL – Sniester Festival
May 28th | Rotterdam, NL – Rotown
May 29th | Groningen, NL – VERA Downstage
Oct 3rd | Phoenix, AZ – Linger Longer Lounge
Oct 4th | Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
Oct 5th | Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
Oct 7th | San Francisco, CA – Brick and Mortar
Oct 10th | Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
Oct 11th | Portland, OR – Mission Theater
Oct 13th | Salt Lake City, UT – The DLC
Oct 14th | Denver, CO – Skylark Lounge
Oct 17th | St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway
Oct 18th | Chicago, IL – Schubas
Oct 20th | Toronto, ON – The Baby G
Oct 21st | Columbus, OH – The Basement
Oct 24th | Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
Oct 25th | Washington, DC – DC9
Oct 26th | Brooklyn, NY – St. Vitus
For more information on JOHN please check out their facebook and instagram
