Scott Lavene has today released his second single, “A Bus in July” from his forthcoming album, Cars, Buses, Bedsits & Shops, out 22nd August via Nothing Fancy. Pre-order HERE
In a nutshell, “A Bus In July” is a tale of true love, where the narrator, living with a Moroccan armed robber, has a chance meeting on a bus, a journey that takes unexpected turns.
Watch/share the video for “A Bus In July” HERE
Stream “A Bus In July” HERE
Scott explains, “A Bus In July” is a story about how I met my wife, an unwanted but much needed attraction that happened when least expecting it, on a bus, on a scorching hot day, in a rough town we’d both accidentally landed in. Then we accidentally landed in each other’s laps, an immediate pregnancy, that fortunately worked out, so far. It’s acoustic and simple and might be my favourite thing I’ve ever done, the song that is.”
Scott Lavene is as English as pork pies and pasties and dunked biscuits in Yorkshire tea. His previous album Disneyland in Dagenham (2023) was full of Essex, East End poetry, and classic English post punk. Following extensive touring including many sold-out shows, Scott is back with another album bursting with more dark humour, snapshots of squalor and cheek, and Scott’s unique love songs.
Produced by Stew Jackson, who’s worked with Massive Attack, Black Crowes, Tom Waits and Nick Cave, the record shines with Scott’s presence, alongside Ryan Rogers of Mumble Tide, co-producing and playing organs, synths and mellotron. The album came together quickly, in a five-day wonder, in Bristol, September 2024.
Scott’s longer story-based songs have taken a backseat on this record with more singing than before and a higher percentage of ballads, sincere, wistful and tender. They evoke the lyrics and feelings set down by Daniel Johnston and The Magnetic Fields, Evan Dando and the immense David Berman. But a few ratty stories still remain.
Cars, Buses, Bedsits & Shops is fit to burst with colour, a slight change in the wacky production of old, the album is polished like a classic 70’s American singer songwriter album, an ode to Wings, to yacht rock and Neil Young. Like if Wilco and Bruce Springsteen’s baby was raised in Basildon.
The combination of wry observation, humble wisdom, unguarded vulnerability and unpredictable humour makes Scott unique in today’s expansive world of artists.
“A Bus In July follows the first single “Cars”.
Scott Lavene tour dates:
Summer ‘25
6 – 10 Aug – Lakefest
28 – 31 Aug – End of the Road Festival
September
25 Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Cafe
26 Weston-Super-Mare, Loves
27 Bristol, The Louisiana
October
16 Newport, Le Pub
17 Liverpool, Kazimier Stockroom
18 Berwick-on-Tweed, Barrels
19 Glasgow, The Hug & Pint
20 North Shields, The Engine Room
21 Durham, Old Cinema Laundrette
22 Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club
23 York, The Fulford Arms
24 Stoke-on-Trent, The Artisan Tap
25 & 26 Boia Festival
28 Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
29 Cambridge, The Portland Arms
30 London, Moth Club
November
1 Brighton, The Hope & Ruin
2 Southampton, Heartbreakers
27 Exeter, The Cavern
28 Falmouth, The Chintz Bar
29 Totnes, The Barrel House Ballroom
December
4 Reading, The Face Bar
5 Ipswich, The Smokehouse
January
27 Nottingham, Bodega
