Big Wolf Band are pleased to announce the release of Living on Borrowed Time the second single taken from their forthcoming studio album Rebel’s Journey.
The new single is released Friday February 16th, and is available on all streaming platforms from https://ditto.fm/living-on-borrowed-time. Watch the official music video on YouTube HERE.
The highly anticipated new album, Rebel's Journey, released Friday April 19th and is now available to pre-order from www.bigwolfband.com/shop.
News of the new single follows Big Wolf Band’s nomination for UK Blues Band of the Year at the 2023 UK Blues Awards. Vote for Big Wolf Band at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/KID7IP/
Hailed by music pundits as most highly anticipated album collection of songs of their career, Rebel’s Journey is the second instalment of the Rebel’s trilogy of albums. Joining forces once more with esteemed producer Mark Stuart and studio engineer maestro Sheena Sear at M2 Studios for their third studio album.
Photo by Richard Bell
"Living on Borrowed Time" has real rocking feel to it, but again, the Big Wolf Band manages to keep the links to the blues to create their own unique sound, fours to the floor. Powerful lyrics depicting a hidden battle.
“This song is about battling depression and how sometimes you feel like you are living on borrowed time,” says Big Wolf Band’s guitarist and lead singer, Jonathan Earp. “I have felt in the past that I am looking over my shoulder, what happens if the next episode is the last and the black dog finally gets me. This really does tell that battle I have with those negative thoughts.”
The running time of Living on Time Borrowed is 3:45. The IRSC code is UKJRC2400015.
The new album is about the growth of the band and frontman’s Jonathan Earp’s personal journey. Big Wolf Band have built a reputation as being one of the best live bands on the circuit, delivering dynamic shows with an expansive range of self-penned songs that cover all flavours of blues rock that truly makes them unique. Rebel’s Journey reinforces this bands creativity, musicianship, and delivery. Each song having its own identity but still that unmistakable Big Wolf sound. The band’s ability to drift between genres while keeping their own sound is a big selling point amongst followers of the band.
The first single off the album and racing out of the blocks is Empire and a Prayer. This is a high energy, pedal to metal riff-based guitar track. It hits you with flavours of southern rock, Americana and hints of the blues, laced with catchy vocal hooks, driving piano and powerful drums.
The song is about escapism, getting away from it all and in this case taking a drive in your favourite car to forget your daily worries. The track is also a little nod to a friend who has provided help to the band in the past. The backing vocals on this track and on the rest of the album is the wonderful Zoe Green. This song demonstrates the band’s ability to move through the gears with ease and ultimately demonstrates a more rocking sound. This track was co-written by Jonathan Earp and Justin Johnson.
“Rebel’s Journey highlights my own personal battle with my mental and physical health,” says vocalist and guitarist Jonathan Earp. “I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS) which affects everything. I had surgery in mid-2019 during our “Be Free” tour to repair damage to my right shoulder, dislocations, and nerve pain. Unfortunately, the operation caused more pain and numbness and for nearly 2 years I struggled to play; some days to even hold a plectrum."
"Songs like Standing in the Rain, Black Dog Blues and Living on Borrowed Time are about the battles I had during those dark days. My condition will always be a challenge but one I live with and continue to prove doubters wrong.”
Continues Jonathan, “the album isn’t all doom and gloom, despite being in the blues genre. “Empire and a Prayer, my first co-written song with Justin Johnson, as well as Got Me Reeling and Living on Borrowed Time. We have had many a joke with my dark writing style, Justin brings the light and love. Rise Together is one of the songs on the album I am proud of and is all about the power of love, rising together and that anything is possible.”
Mick, Justin, Robin, and Tim played out of their skin. Mark and Sheena as always bringing it all together. Big Shout out to Zoe Green for adding some amazing backing vocals. We even managed a first in the studio's history by getting Sheena to add some gang vocals along with my wife on Rise Together.” As the title of the album suggests, it has been one hell of a journey”. “The most challenging song on the album was Standing in the Rain. It’s a big old ballad of a song, lots of moving parts, orchestral parts, stops, starts and even a thunderstorm. Everyone delivered big time on this album.
2024 also sees Big Wolf Band hit a big milestone reaching their 10th year together as a band. From humble beginning as a 3-piece to the big sound they deliver now as a 5-piece. “Rebel’s Journey” is a fitting name for the album and their 10th year together. The band undertake their biggest headline tour to date adding dates in Germany and the Czech Republic.
Rebel's Journey - Track Listing
1. Empire and a Prayer (3:57)
2. Valley of the Fallen Kings (5:58)
3. Lay it on the Line (3:48)
4. Rise Together (4:06)
5. Six Strings Loaded (4:19)
6. Black Dog Blues (6:07)
7. Standing in the Rain (7:24)
8. Living on Borrowed Time (3:46)
9. Got Me Reeling (4:32)
10. Crazy Love (3:32)
11. Darker Side of You (4:40)
12. Just a Little Bit (5:26)
13. Too Many Times (4:20)
Production Credits
All songs written by Jonathan Earp except Empire and a Prayer, Got Me Reeling and Living on Borrowed Time Written by Jonathan Earp and Justin Johnson.
Lead guitar and vocals – Jonathan Earp
Bass – Mick Jeynes
Drums – Tim Jones
Rhythm Guitar and backing vocals – Justin Johnson
Piano and Hammond organ – Robin Fox
Backing vocals – Zoe Green
Addition Vocals on Rise Together – Tracey Earp and Sheena Sear
Shaker, Tambourine, and kitchen sink – Mark Stuart
Produced by Mark Stuart and Jonathan Earp
Mixed by Mark Stuart and Sheena Sear
Mastered by Sheena Sear
Chief Studio Entertainment – Ralf and Susie (M2 Studio dogs)
Recorded and mastered at M2 Studios
Album artwork – Daniel Lloyd
Single Artwork – Jonathan Earp and Daniel Lloyd
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