Ewan MacFarlane’s debut solo album “Always Everlong” was released in October 2021 to much acclaim, as the former Grim Northern Social and Apollo 440 frontman set out his stall as a solo artist with a collection of finely crafted rock ‘n’ roll songs that capture the unnameable feeling all great musicians elicit when you find yourself in the presence of something truly special.
The album came about when MacFarlane challenged himself mid lockdown to write a tune a day to upload to YouTube each evening, these songs tell tales of tension with pledges of eternal love. An expression of his hopes and fears, “Always Everlong” is emboldened by a personable approach to classic rock penmanship as Ewan bares his soul by putting pen to paper, unafraid of the consequences. Honouring the revered rock’n’roll songbooks of Bowie, Petty, and Springsteen, it plots the works of those making up the soundtrack to his own life, who have always called, enthralled, and entranced him.
Like all great albums, music lovers will be revisiting “Always Everlong” for years to come and with this in mind, MacFarlane has announced the digital release of a deluxe “Always Everlong” package to come out in February 2022. Including extra rarities and treasures, the new digital release celebrates the successes of the album’s initial release and as ripples of the initial “Always Everlong” release still expand out into the world, the deluxe edition gives those that may have overlooked this future classic another reason to dive right in and check it out.
On the deluxe release, Ewan said, “we had so many great songs that we left out first time around. Then when the reaction to the album was so strong, it seemed like the sensible thing to do was to release an expanded version of the album.”
The new package includes 7 extra tracks in total, and among them BBC Radio Scotland afternoon show single of the week “This Year” and new single “Honey”. “Honey” represents the first time Ewan has revisited his back catalogue, being a recording of a song that was originally written and released via his band The Grim Northern Social back in 2003. “I’m really proud of that period of my career, the success we had and the songs we released,” says Ewan “Honey is about being so much in love that you can taste it. It’s about wanting someone and fantasising what it would be like to have it all on your terms, which is of course is impossible. None the less, its ok to dream!”
As a performer who’s racked up many miles on the road playing live, alongside the deluxe album release, MacFarlane is hugely looking forward to returning to the world of gigs properly with a string of shows to support the release as follows. His first debut headline show with full band at The Glad Café in March sold out within 12 hours of tickets going on sale, so we’d advise booking for his other dates now to avoid disappointment!
Tuesday, February 8, 2022– Special guest to Astrid- Aberdeen The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen
Friday, February 11, 2022– Special Guest to Astrid- Edinburgh The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh– SOLD OUT!
Saturday, February 12, 2022– Special Guest to Astrid- Stirling The Tolbooth, Stirling
Sunday, February 13, 2022- Special Guest to Astrid- Inverness One Touch Theatre, Inverness
Friday, March 11, 2022– Headline Acoustic Show– Georgian Hotel, Coatbridge
Friday March 25th Headline Full Band Show- Glad Café, Glasgow- SOLD OUT!
