Singer songwriter and Australian bluesman Ivor S.K. is living the dream walking in the footsteps of the American blues giants. Since releasing his debut album ‘Montserrat’ to critical acclaim back in 2017, Ivor S.K. has thrust himself into the daily life in the deep south absorbing all that this rich heritage has to offer. For five years he has been playing in the revered rooms of the Crescent City, the jumpin’ jukes of the Delta and, the seaside shacks of the Gulf. Now “Mississippi Bound” arrives as the first fruits of those labours.
“Mississippi Bound” is Ivor’s highly anticipated third release. This fifteen-track, roots odyssey recorded and produced effort during his year off due to the pandemic is set for release on Friday October 14th.
There’s a maturity to these tracks that are way beyond his years. “Mississippi Bound” kicks off via a tangential excursion to the Caribbean in the form of the title track – three minutes of ska dipped R&B – and in Ivor’s inimitable fashion journeys through the nooks and crannies of the blues roots, palette; singing slide, grinding grooves and lucid licks. Ivor’s burgeoning slide playing comes to the fore on down home tracks like I Don’t Roll, Dead Pig and Wheelin’; southern soul show its flair on 100 Dollar Bills and Sweet ’n’ Low; and the swampy influence of New Orleans on deep blues, cuts such as Get Up, Slow Down and Kiss on my Blues. Ivor’s inspired, warmly charred vocals tie each song together, spinning sly tales of life’s sweet and sours, while his easy, rolling acoustic weaves through the entire album, taking moments to shine on stripped back arrangements like Talkin’ Shit Again, No Friend of Mine and Down the Road.
“These songs have taken on that laid-back lilt of the deep south sounds you can’t help but fall into down in New Orleans. There’s a little bit of everything in there. It’s also the first album I’ve recorded since adding cigar box guitar to the quiver, another new character laden ally picked up since moving over here. Throw that in with rolling acoustic six string, deep swampy blues, raw soul and some sly humour, and I’m hoping there’s something for everyone to tap into.” – Ivor S.K.
“MISSISSIPPI BOUND” TRACK LISTING:
1. Mississippi Bound
2. I Don’t Roll
3. Get Up
4. Talkin’ Shit Again
5. Kiss On My Blues
6. Sex Drugs and Cigarettes
7. Wheelin’
8. Taste Your Lips
9. 100 Dollar Bills
10. Tomorrow Night
11. Down The Road
12. Slow Down
13. Sweet ‘n’ Low
14. No Friend Of Mine
15. Dead Pig
“Mississippi Bound” is available on Ivor S.K. website and to download on all your favourite digital platforms.
TOUR DATES
NOVEMBER
Sunday 6th – Northern Beaches Festival Narrabeen NSW
Thursday 10th – Hume Blues Club Thornbury VIC
Saturday 13th – Jimmy Hornets Richmond VIC
Sunday 14th – Bar Open Fitzroy VIC
Tuesday 15th – Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society Williamstown VIC
Thursday 17th – PJ O’Reilly’s Canberra ACT
Sunday 20th – Pittwater RSL Mona Vale NSW
Wednesday 23rd – Baxter’s Lot Fitzroy VIC
Thursday 24th – Pistol Pete’s Geelong VIC
DECEMBER
Friday 2nd – Bookaccino Avalon NSW
Saturday 3rd – The Shack Warriewood NSW
Sunday 4th – Bucketty’s Brookvale NSW
Saturday 10th – Avalon Bowling Club Avalon NSW
Sunday 11th – Modus Operandi Brewing Co Mona Vale NSW
Monday 19th – Hippo Co Canberra ACT
Saturday 31st – Dee Why RSL Dee Why NSW