Bill Ryder-Jones releases new song "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" + announces instore shows

Bill Ryder-Jones releases new song “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me” – watch video here

Taken from forthcoming fifth album Iechyd Da, due January 12th

Confirms run of solo instore dates for January

“Iechyd Da is an album that confirms Ryder-Jones as one of Britain’s finest songwriters” Uncut 9/10 Album of the Month
“Stunning” Record Collector
“It’s an absolute knock-out” The New Cue
“A work of maturity, it’s also incredibly fresh” Clash
“A profound masterpiece” Far Out


Today, Bill Ryder-Jones is pleased to share new song “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me”, the second single from his forthcoming fifth album Iechyd Da due January 12th 2024.
 
 “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me” showcases Ryder-Jones’ ability to turn a simple turn of phrase into something loaded with pathos and profundity. The simplistic yet moving phrase of ‘If Tomorrow Starts Without Me’ is something that’s been rattling around in Ryder Jones’ head for decades waiting for the right moment to be released. “It contains probably the oldest lyric I've ever written,” he says. “Which comes from when I was about 15 watching Eurotrash. There was a Thai sex-worker reading from a diary and she just read the words: “What if tomorrow starts without me?” I just loved it. It's always stuck with me.” However, it takes on a whole new meaning and level of emotional weight in the context here. Contemplating what the next day may be like if he were no longer here to experience it, Ryder-Jones delivers heartbreaking line after heartbreaking line. “As I’m fading into blue, let’s just hope that somehow I’m with you” he sings over music that radiates a buoyancy and gentle breeziness that plucks hope from torment.
 
The animated video directed by James Slater is a powerful and emotional watch about those left behind.
 
Watch the video for “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me” here.
Stream “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me” here.

Bill Ryder-Jones has also confirmed a string of solo instore shows to mark the release of the album including London, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow.
 
Additionally, last month it was announced that Ryder-Jones was sponsoring West Kirby United FC Under 10’s, more information here and you can support the club by buying a shirt here.
 
Watch the video for previously released “This Can’t Go On” here.
 
Iechyd Da is a record that is rooted in love, loss, pain, heartache and often a deep darkness, but also one that frequently ends up in places of profound beauty, hope and joy. “I love this album,” says Bill, “I haven't been this proud of a record since A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart.”
 
His first new record in five years, Iechyd Da is also his most ambitious LP to date. Beautifully produced, rich in scope, at times joyous, grand and sweeping, at others heartbreaking, intimate and tender. “It’s my most produced record,” adds Ryder-Jones, who from his Yawn studios in West Kirby has recently been producing the likes of Mick Head, Gerry Love and Saint Saviour. “It’s basically me carrying on with myself again, but this time around I’m a bit more competent as a producer.”
 
Lyrically, Ryder-Jones is also in potent form. At times he celebrates directness, being more open and honest than ever, while other moments are more complex and multi-faceted. He’s always able to seamlessly balance sadness with stunning beauty, and sly self-deprecation with palpable gentleness.
 
Due to Ryder-Jones’ deeply wide-screen approach to making Iechyd Da - one that has Mick Head reading Ulysses over an instrumental one moment (“...And the Sea…”) to sampling the Brazilian singer Gal Costa (“I Know That It’s Like This (Baby)”) – Bill even got children involved. “I just thought I'd throw the kitchen sink in and get some kids as well,” he says.
 
“Over the years my music has lost a bit of its hope I reckon,” contemplates Bill Ryder-Jones. “It were important for me to make a record that had more hope in it. Even by my standards the last few years have been rocky, but I’ve chosen to soundtrack it with more positive music, you know?”
 
Iechyd Da is available to pre-order on DomMart-exclusive coloured vinyl (with postcard), Dinked-edition coloured vinyl (with exclusive Big Softies 7” & signed sleeve) – sold out, Indies-exclusive coloured vinyl, standard vinyl, CD and digitally. Pre-order: Dom Mart | Digital
 
Upcoming 2024 live dates
Friday 12th January – Rough Trade East, London - solo
Saturday 13th January – Spillers, Cardiff - solo
Tuesday 16th January – Monorail, Glasgow - solo
Wednesday 17th January – Piccadilly, Manchester – solo
Thursday 18th January - Applestump Records, Nantwich - solo
 
Tuesday 12th March – Room 2, Glasgow
Wednesday 13th March - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Friday 15th March – The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
Saturday 16th March – New Century Hall, Manchester
Sunday 17th March – Thekla, Bristol
Tuesday 19th March – CHALK, Brighton
Wednesday 20th March – Islington Assembly Hall, London
Thursday 21st March – Content, Liverpool
Saturday 23rd March – Paradiso, Amsterdam
Sunday 24th March – Hafenklang, Hamburg
Monday 25th March – Kantine am Berghain, Berlin
Wednesday 27th March – Trix Bar, Antwerp
Thursday 28th March – La Maroquinerie, Paris
Saturday 30th March – The Workman’s Club, Dublin
Sunday 31st March – Black Box, Belfast
 
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