John Hassall (The Libertines) & The April Rainers release a new single, Doing Time, on Friday 26th June. The single is lifted from the bands second, self-titled album, unleashed through Crystal Lawn Records, on Friday 17th July. The album will be available on digital download and limited edition vinyl. Doing Time, along with previous single Miracles is available when you preorder the album from: https://linktr.ee/theaprilrainers
John Hassall “Most of Doing Time was written around 20 years ago, though I could never find a good verse part to it. When I played it to Peter (Doherty) he immediately came up with the chords to the verse. That night he also lent me Waiting for Godot and I got the opening line for the lyrics from there “Nothing to be done”.The song is about striving to find patience, hope and inspiration when it feels like there is none.”
The new album was largely recorded at John’s home studio in Aarhus, Denmark where he has been living since 2009. And was produced by the band, with string player Clementine Brown having a big influence on the sound.
John Hassall “These 10 songs are the ones that survived, grew and took on a life of their own. Lessons were learnt from Wheels to Idyll and a new musical development runs through it. Whereas the last album was recorded pretty much live.
Most of the songs were cowritten by John and longtime poet collaborator Steev Burgess exploring memories of school days, journeys and adventures, fading dreams, ancient empires and even somebody’s trinket collection. Burgess who has known Hassall for many years, wrote the lyrics to Miracles, a sort of Ballad of John and Line.
John Hassall and The April Rainers will be announcing UK shows shortly, in the meantime John will be appearing with his other band The Libertines at summer festivals across Europe and the UK.
John Hassall & The April Rainers is the followup to 2017’s Wheels to Idyll, which picked up critical applause on its release. Uncut Magazine described the album as “a Laurel Canyon-style bucolic rock voyage, with Hassall’s hushed tenor voice cooing over CSN harmonies, wistful major-sevenths and Robbie Krieger-ish guitar explorations.” Whilst Mojo Magazine raved “a long-player of mellifluous, melody soaked psychedelic pop.Hassall’s tune-fulness rarely misfires and the homely, nostalgic charms never wear out their welcome.”
John Hassall has released Four albums with the Libertines – ‘Up The Bracket’ (2002), ‘The Libertines’ (2004), ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’ (2015) and the number one album ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ (2024). And one album with Yeti ‘The Legend of Yeti Gonzales’ (2008).
The April Rainers all live in Aarhus, Denmark, and are made up of: John Hassall – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar / Jakob Bruno – Backing Vocals, Drums / Erlend Eggestad – Backing Vocals, Bass and James Jefferys – Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar. INSTAGRAMFACEBOOKSPOTIFYYOUTUBE
