Former Tribes frontman Johnny Lloyd has discussed how living in America influenced the sound of his new solo album – and how becoming a father for the first time has permanently changed his perspective on the world.
The musician will release his debut solo record ‘Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds’ on May 3 – featuring an album cover that sees him posing with girlfriend Billie Piper while she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
While the record sees Lloyd favouring a new acoustic direction, it also tackles pertinent issues such as gun violence in America after Lloyd spent two years living stateside.
“I spent so much time in America, and some of the politics over there are just so fucking shocking. It spurred on a load of questions and there’s a lot of hypocrisy which is in your face. It was what was on my mind, and maybe I’ve shied away from that in the past,” he explains.
The album track, titled ‘Mass Shooting’, also took on a new meaning as Lloyd prepared to become a father.
“I’ve become a dad in the last two months and it’s changed my perspective on the world massively,” explained Lloyd.
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“I was always told that would happen, but you never quite realise it until it does. You start thinking ‘Would I want to bring up my child in LA?’ The answer is absolutely not and I couldn’t help but put that in my music.”
Describing the rest of the album, he added: “A lot of the stuff is also about reaching your thirties and sobering up. Not necessarily in terms of drink and drugs, but being aware of what’s going on in the world and being more a part of that.”
I’m very excited to announce details of my debut solo album ‘Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds’ out 3rd May on @Xtra_Mile. Been a lot of fun to make and I hope you enjoy it. Pre-order/stream from here: https://t.co/0RMWMZK6ff
— Johnny Lloyd (@JohnnyLloydUK) February 12, 2019
And while the record isn’t due for release until May, the album’s title track gives fans an idea of what to expect. It sees Lloyd teaming up with Frank Turner after the pair became label mates on Xtra Mile and joined forces once more.
“It was great having Frank singing on there,” Lloyd said. “He’s someone I’ve known for years and I love with. Hugo White from The Maccabees is on there as well, and it’s been great to call them up and just get them involved.
“That’s how I want to approach my music now, by just playing music with people I respect.”
‘Next Episode Starts In 15 Seconds’ is released on May 3 via Xtra Mile