James Elkington Announces New Album Ever-Roving Eye with “Nowhere Time” Video + UK Tour with Joan Shelley.

$9.00 – $31.00

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Chicago songwriter and guitarist James Elkington—who has collaborated with everyone from Richard Thompson to Jeff Tweedy to Tortoise—has announced his new album, Ever-Roving Eye, out April 3rd, alongside the video for lead single “Nowhere Time” and UK tour dates with Joan Shelley. He recorded his sophomore album at Wilco’s Loft, expanding upon his “beautiful, complex, and assured” (Pitchfork) 2017 debut Wintres Woma, as well as his recent production and arrangement work for the likes of Steve Gunn, Nap Eyes (he produced their upcoming Snapshot of a Beginner), and Joan Shelley. Casting glances back to British folk traditions as well as toward avant-garde horizons, these brilliant new songs, as accessible as they are arcane, buttress Elkington’s brisk guitar figures and baritone poesy with strings, woodwinds, and backing vocals by Tamara Lindeman of the Weather Station.

Ever-Roving Eye is even more elaborate, shrewd, thoughtful, and confessional than its predecessor. Though it sounds like a line culled from a murderous Child ballad, the title has everything to do instead with the slipperiness of satisfaction, and the equal parts virtue and vice that is being your own mule and driver. The album’s lead single/video, “Nowhere Time,” is a call to take up arms against procrastination, and features some of Elkington’s most daring guitar-wrangling. “A more cosmic acquaintance of mine once told me that when your life is going in the direction you want it to, it’s the universe’s way of telling you that you are in the place you’re meant to be,” Elkington says. “Does that sound likely? Not at all, but the song asks the question anyway…” The track’s accompanying video, directed by Tim Harris, features James, Spencer Tweedy on drums, and Nick Macri on upright bass.

Photo by Timothy Musho.

The deluxe LP edition features 140g virgin vinyl; heavy-duty board jacket; full-color inner sleeve and labels; and high-res Bandcamp download code. The deluxe green glass vinyl LP edition is limited to 750 copies. The CD edition features a gatefold board jacket with LP replica art. 

For digital-only preorders, please visit Bandcamp (which also offers uncompressed, high-resolution audio files) or your favorite digital marketplace. Contingent on manufacturing schedules, we will ship your pre-ordered album approximately a week in advance of the April 3, 2020 worldwide release date. All pre-orders include an immediate 320k MP3 download of lead single “Nowhere Time” and title track “Ever-Roving Eye,”as recently premiered by Uncut.

Use coupon code EYE on the PoB webstore during checkout for 20% off Elkington’s previous record Wintres Woma.

$9.00 – $30.00

James Elkington Tour Dates

Thu. April 16 – Chicago, IL @ The Hideout – RECORD RELEASE SHOW
Thu. May 21 – Glasgow, UK @ Mono ^
Fri. May 22 – Newcastle, UK @ Gosforth Civic Theatre ^
Sat. May 23 – Manchester, UK @ The King’s Arms ^
Sun. May 24 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club ^
Mon. May 25 – Bristol, UK @ The Wardrobe Theatre ^
Wed. May 27 – London, UK @ Kings Place ^
Thu. May 28 – Brighton, UK @ Hope & Ruin ^

^ = w/ Joan Shelley

Photo by Timothy Musho.

All Releases Featuring James Elkington

Acclaim for James Elkington

British-born but US-based, Elkington has so far been best known for his work on records by the likes of Michael Chapman and Joan Shelley. His latest upcoming solo album, a stunning mix of Americana and psychedelic folk, is likely to change that.  – Uncut

The combination of Elkington’s sonorous baritone and virtuosic fretboard forays makes a strong case for him as the spiritual heir to the late UK folk legend Bert Jansch. The dominant artistic voice here is an unflinchingly singular one… with imagery unusual enough to force your synapses into new configurations, and a bittersweetness palpable enough to take you by the tear ducts and squeeze.  Each track feels like a stylishly scrawled diary entry we’ve somehow wrangled the permission to read.  – NPR Music

An epiphany… a cryptic storyteller and dazzling acoustic guitarist. More than just another bustle in your hedgerow. – Rolling Stone

Elkington stands apart among the wave of 21st century guitar soloists. At once beautiful, complex, and assured. – Pitchfork

A convincing, warmly whirling weather system of his own. – The Guardian

The guitar king … already a visionary in his own right. – The FADER

Elkington has been acclaimed by such knowledgeable figures as Richard Thompson and Jeff Tweedy as one of the most dazzling fingerstyle guitarists around—a reputation confirmed here. – The Independent

RIYL: Bert Jansch, Kevin Ayers, Richard Thompson, Davy Graham, Joan Shelley, Steve Gunn, Michael Chapman, Mike Cooper, Nap Eyes, Ryley Walker, Jim O’Rourke, Scott Walker, Go-Betweens, Talk Talk.