After being forced into
hibernation by the long winter, Lucky Strikes frontman Matthew Boulter emerges
with his second album of glorious, gentle, life-affirming songs to take us into
Summer. The Water Or The Wave features eleven original songs, conceived
on the road at various folk club and festival shows throughout the past year
and given life beside the grassy marshland and mudflats of his South Essex home
on the Thames Delta.
Ably
assisted by engineer Rees Broomfield at The Broom Cupboard Studio in Rayleigh,
Matthew recruited various friends and colleagues for the album sessions,
including Lucky Strikes compatriots Paul Ambrose and Jim Wilson, Bryony
Afferson and Lizzy O’Connor from fast-rising London folk and bluegrass band
Troubadour Rose and, by no means least, legendary Dire Straits and Bob Dylan
drummer Pick Withers. This impressive cast have helped Matthew create a work of
considerable warmth and subtlety.
Releasing his debut album in
Spring 2012 under the name The Whispering Pines, Matthew has been an
integral member of The Lucky Strikes since 2007, starting out on bass before
switching to guitar and vocals, as well as penning much of their material. A
highly proficient pedal- and lap-steel player, he’s much sought after on the UK
Americana circuit; something that led to him being invited to play with New
York songwriter Simone Felice. Since
accompanying Felice on various dates including a prestigious Green Man Festival
headline set in 2011, Matthew has
become a full member of The Simone
Felice Band, touring the US and UK, also opening shows as solo performer. Despite this impressive workload, Matthew
has continued to lend his many skills to shows and recordings by the likes of
Cusack, Deer Park, Dead flowers, Neil McSweeney, Rosalie Deighton, Conor Oberst
and members of Mumford & Sons. On The Water Or The Wave, M G Boulter
turns another page…
Praise for The Whispering
Pines…
“Gorgeous, in a word” **** Uncut
“A dreamlike album of
lyrical beauty…. Another very fine addition to a promising portfolio” **** R2
“A pleasant, smoky vibe….
Check him out” **** Maverick
“When you hear an album that
reminds you of your childhood and your dreams, the best film you’ve seen all
year, your favourite record of all time, and your first love – that has to be a
good day” No Depression
“Introspective,
gentle, tinged with darkness and a sorrowful undertow, these are elegant songs
delivered with restraint and oodles of world-weary charm” FATEA
"Beautiful, engaging, and not quite like anything else out there" Flyinshoes
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