If you’ve followed the story of Aaron West, then you’ll know he’s not perfect. After all all great characters have their flaws. Throughout two albums, Dan Campbell (The Wonder Years) has carved out the ups and downs of Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. However on ‘Alone at St. Lukes’, he captures the carefree, almost chaotic, nature of being a touring band.
With its bright trumpets, urgent percussion, and overall thriving energy, it sees Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, doing their best to survive while touring the UK. And any song that opens with the line “The graffiti on the wall says ‘fuck the Tories'” is a surefire winner. Regardless of its devil-may-care front, there’s a shimmering dose of harsh reality as West‘s touring pals all get sick, leaving him to finish it on his own. As Campbell’s twinkling acoustic delicately plucks away, he shows vulnerability singing “I’m cold and wet and lonesome, what did I expect?”
Inspired by a Covid-affected tour in 2022, Campbell spoke of how the event “became an indelible part of the story” (of Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties). He goes on to explain, “our best laid plans were immediately dashed again on the rocks of the pandemic, but this new narrative constriction forced a shift in my approach to the story that sent the record spinning in a new and better direction.”
‘Alone at St. Lukes’ is the third track to be taken off ‘In Lieu Of Flower’, the third full-length from Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. What started as a solo character project for Campbell has evolved into a 16-piece ensemble effort, simultaneously building West’s narrative world. Described as an “ode to the underdog”, ‘In Lieu Of Flower’ looks set to be triumphantly melancholy.
Despite their previously unfortunate visit to the UK, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties will be back in the UK in May. They’ll be joined by Future Teens and Dryjacket (acoustic).
May
17th Deaf Institute, Manchester
18th St Luke’s
19th The Key Club, Leeds
21st Bodega, Nottingham
22nd Underworld, London
23rd Exchange, Bristol
‘In Lieu Of Flower’ by Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties is released on April 12th on Hopeless Records/Loneliest Place On Earth.
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