Video still by Timothy Musho.

James Elkington Presents New Single/Video “Late Jim’s Lament” + Announces North American Tour Supporting Wilco.

Or support via: Bandcamp (LP/CD/DL/stream) | Other Options (physical/digital/int’l) | Local Record Stores

English-born, Chicago-based songwriter and guitarist James Elkington will release his new album, Ever-Roving Eye, on April 3rd via Paradise of Bachelors. Today, he presents a new single from the album, “Late Jim’s Lament,” with its accompanying video, and announces a run of North American tour dates supporting Wilco. “Late Jim’s Lament” follows the guitar-wrangling of lead single “Nowhere Time” and title track “Ever-Roving Eye.”

“Late Jim’s Lament” is a white-knuckled nightmare about being late (because he’s rarely on time) and about being “late” (because of an even greater fear of being dead before he gets everything done). “No matter how I drive I know I can’t out-drive the hearse, ’cause it’s too late in my mind and getting later all the time,” sings Elkington, sounding not unlike his hero Davy Graham shouldering his way into a Joy Division rehearsal. The song, driven by Nick Macri’s sly upright bass and Elkington’s acoustic guitar, culminates in a stunning, flamenco-inspired solo.

The tracks’s beguiling video, directed by Timothy Musho, features temporal imagery paired with clips of Elkington. It was inspired by surrealism and stop motion classics of Jan Svankmajer and Terry Gilliam.

Watch James Elkington’s Video for “Late Jim’s Lament”

Ever-Roving Eye is the follow-up to his “beautiful, complex, and assured” (Pitchfork) 2017 debut, Wintres Woma, and was recorded at Wilco’s Loft studio in Chicago. The album, recorded with previous collaborators Nick Macri (James’ longtime bass colleague) and Ohmme’s Macie Stewart (violin), plus new recruits Lia Kohl (cello), Spencer Tweedy (drums), The Weather Station’s Tamara Lindeman (vocals), and the prolific Paul Von Mertens (Brian Wilson) on woodwinds, ropes in echoes of British library musics, horror-film soundtracks, demure psychedelia, and more rocking elements of folk-rock. 

In support of Ever-Roving Eye, Elkington will hit the road this spring with fellow Chicagoans, Wilco, supporting them for a run of dates along the west coast. He plays an album release show at The Hideout in Chicago on Thu. April 16th before heading overseas where he will join Joan Shelley for a slew of performances in the UK.  A full list of dates can be found below and all dates are on sale now.  

James Elkington Tour Dates

(new dates in bold):
Tue. March 24 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall *
Thu. March 26 – Santa Rosa, CA @ Luther Burbank *
Fri. March 27 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater *
Sat. March 28 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater *
Sun. March 29 – San Jose, CA @ San Jose Civic *
Wed. April 1 – Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theater *
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
* = w/ Wilco
% = w/ Bill Mackay

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

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

First, Chicago-based English guitarist extraordinaire James Elkington built up a sterling reputation for himself as a sideman for the likes of Jeff Tweedy, Joan Shelley, Richard Thompson, Steve Gunn, Nap Eyes, Michael Chapman, and Tortoise. Then, with 2017 debut Wintres Woma, he proved he’s a skilled singer-songwriter in addition to his instrumental mastery. This spring, he’ll show off those talents again on his second LP, Ever-Roving Eye.

– Stereogum

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

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.

Video still by Timothy Musho.