Acclaimed Scottish troubadour John Douglas, presents a live rendition of ‘Weightlifting’, commemorating the landmark Trashcan Sinatras album released 20 years ago this week. The offering also previews Douglas’ forthcoming ‘Lost in North America Tour – Part One’, an intimate snapshot of the talent, charisma and depth of this celebrated songsmith.
Throughout October, Douglas takes to American stages, showcasing original material and new recordings of fave Trashcan Sinatras’ material. Joined for West coast and Midwest dates by Lily Vakili of Vakili Band, he is joined for East Coast dates by award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Calve. Further, attendees of two special shows will be treated to guest appearances by fellow Trashcan Sinatras Frank Reader and Paul Livingston in Seattle, with Reader also joining Douglas in LA.
“‘Weightlifting’ was a milestone record in our journey. It took us a long time to make that record due to various hilarious sidetracks, including adventures in Japan with us as a six-piece band, and many many strung out, aimless days and nights in our adopted home of Kilmarnock, Scotland, a mad detour attempting to record in Hartford, USA (skillfully avoiding the nightly gunshots), and even a meeting with the landed gentry in Ayr County Court, where our banishment from the land of honest toil was finally ended,” says John Douglas.
“We returned from all those adventures with songs – songs of love, loss, redemption, forgiveness, bravado, friendship, wisdom, peace and tranquility. Songs that we swore ourselves to… and here we are 20 years on and it looks like we somehow built them to last. Somehow, from the chaotic depths, we found ourselves at the top of our game. It’s a miracle of a record.”
It’s been a fine year for Douglas, including a UK headlining tour, releasing his eponymous debut album via Reveal Records, UK Top-40 charting of Trashcan Sinatras’ reissued album ‘Cake’ (33 years since it debuted), and a new Trashcan Sinatras documentary, produced by award-winning Irish journalist Ken Sweeney, which also features Douglas performing beloved Trashcans’ songs.
‘Weightlifting’is the second instalment in Douglas’ ‘Me & Midnight Sessions’, following ‘Oranges & Apples’. Earlier, he shared live videos for ‘I Just Want To Go Home’, ‘Lost’, ‘I’m Not The Fella’, ‘Always’ and ‘Leave Me Alone’ – all tracks from his debut album, recorded with renowned producer Mark Freegard (New Model Army, Lush, The Breeders, Del Amitri, Marillion).
Douglas shares, “This video was filmed in Ibrox, Glasgow in a flat that was once shared by a young couple, who had come to the end of their time together. On the night of my filming, I had helped one of them move out the final pieces of furniture and accompanied them as they said goodbye to what they used to call home. I returned later, on my own, to the now empty flat… just before midnight… and filmed myself singing what felt like a very appropriate song. A bittersweet night that will hopefully allow a healing to begin and for pain to be left behind. I changed the lyric a little to suit the mood.”
John Douglas’ debut album is out now, available for purchase on either CD or digitally via Bandcamp. Of course, it is also available from other fine online platforms. His ‘Lost in North America Tour – Part One’ kicks off in Los Angeles on October 1.
TOUR DATES
October 1 LOS ANGELES – Hotel Cafe *
(Special guest appearance by Trashcan Sinatras’ Frank Reader)
October 2 SAN FRANCISCO – The Lost Church *
October 4 PORTLAND – Mission Theater *
October 5 SEATTLE – Ballard Homestead, Fremont Abbey *
(Special guest appearance by Trashcan Sinatras’ Frank Reader & Paul Livingston)
October 7 SALT LAKE CITY – The Beehive *
October 8 DENVER – Mercury Cafe, Jungle Room *
October 10 KANSAS CITY – Knuckleheads *
October 11 MINNEAPOLIS – Icehouse MPLS *
October 12 CHICAGO – GMan Tavern **
October 15 TORONTO – The Monarch **
October 16 CLEVELAND – Beachland Tavern **
October 17 COLUMBUS – Natalie’s Grandview **
October 19 BOSTON – City Winery Boston **
October 20 NEW YORK – Cafe Wha? **
October 21 PHILADELPHIA – City Winery Loft **
* with Lily Vakili of Vakili Band
** with Lauren Calve
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