John MOuse

John MOuse from Cardiff, Wales started his band in 2006. The members of his band are: John Davies - vocals and synths, Steve Black - bass, pianos, guitar and background vocals, Paul Sheppard - guitar, John's daughter Maggie Lola - background vocals and the drums are programmed by John and Steve. After a successful fan funding campaign, John MOuse releases his fifth album. ‘Replica Figures’ out through Keep Me In Your Heart Records on the 19th of February 2018. For ‘Replica Figures’ John returns to work with original band member Sweet Baboo. It's been 15 years since the two worked under John's previous moniker JT Mouse and the result is a touching album with

glimpses of John's black humour, which has been a signature throughout his career. "We had talked about working together but other commitments had taken precedence. This is the type album I have been wanting to release for some time.” Says John of his decision to work with Steve Baboo “Steve understood straight away what I was trying to achieve and we worked really quickly on just letting the songs breath and be themselves. Nothing was over thought or overworked."

‘Replica Figures’ is John’s first album since 2014’s greatly received long player ‘The Death of John MOuse’ that was praised by The Line of Best Fit and Louder than War websites and its brilliant lead single 'I was a Goalkeeper' which featured Gareth from Los Campesinos. John MOuse, real name John Davies, has been described as ‘A Welsh Beck,’ and ‘A Less Funny Half Man Half Biscuit’. Under his previous incarnation, JT Mouse, he worked with Sweet Baboo (aka Steven Black) while in 2010 he scored a cult hit with a song about a gay romance with another duet, this time with TV presenter Steve Jones lifted from the acclaimed album ‘Humber Dogger Forties’. Airplay support for John MOuse includes Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio, Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6 and Adam Walton & Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales.

Replica Figures circulates around the concept of memories, different memories, how they are created, the lack of memory, enforced and false memories... "We wanted the album to have restrictions in place, a limited palette of instruments and sounds, and most importantly a vocal performance to capture emotion and the moment.” Says John about recording the album “We are so used to listening to perfect vocals and I wanted to create a snapshot, much like a memory."

End of Mankind - Drum beats begin the song. Piano synth notes are added in a simple tune preparing you for a scene unfolding. 'I watch the horses standing in the field. Blue skies, baby lambs and others engrossed in degrees. . . . .'

Boogaloo - Drum beats begin with added piano and bass, 'Break dance to electric boogaloo put us into a head spin. . . . .'

The Fire Burns - Fast drum beats with added cymbals. A full band accompanies. 'He's been chopping wood since the sun came up. She's been back at home since he went out. . . . .'

Memory - Drums with an added old rock and roll beat. 'Oh memory, memory, why are you mean to me. Memory, memory leave me alone. . . . .'

Bunkbeds and Broken - Rock. 'She picked her starfish from a woven basket. She might as well. I got an ash tray made out of shells. You might as well. Oh. You might as well. . . . .'

The King And Jesus Ganged Up On Me - Slow piano tune which gets more complex in its simple way. 'Why don't you get that thing cut. Here. Look at mine. That's what it should look like. I don't look. Just smile. Shake off. Leave the cubicle prematurely. . . . .'

The Boxer - Drum beats. Eerie synth sounds add to the layers. Piano and bass enrich the scene. 'The taxi drivers sound their horns to alert the ones who walk. . . . .'

With These Hands I'll Rip Out Your Heart - Expressive piano riffs played with a heartfelt purpose. 'I long for the day when you started to call with a choke. I long for the days when I'd fall asleep to your jokes. . . . .'

Sue - A quick guitar strum and strumming throughout the song. 'Jennifer, she likes to pick flowers from the cemetery. Jennifer, she likes to pick flowers and give them to me. Oh, Allison would run around the basement naked. . . . .'

Magnetic Frames On The Boiler - Synth to guitar with many variations within the background of the song. 'Tomorrow whispered back in the mirror. I washed in the sink. There's no hot water. . . . .'

Gladiator Contender - African piano synth beats. 'I see him sitting in his chair. It's tall and it reclines. It's the same chair I see him in just before he dies. . . . .'

“The blend of unpredictability, wit and sharp reminiscence." - Louder than War.

“A Welsh Weezer… arty and not afraid of whopping melodies” - The Line of Best Fit.

“An extraordinary piece of poetry” - Mary Anne Hobbs on ‘Robbie Savage’.

“An impassioned performer.” - Tom Robinson.

Alternative, acoustic, indie, rock, lo-fi and spoken word. To find out more about John go to:

https://johnmouse.bandcamp.com/

Denise L. @DL7855 2018