Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission have announced a new seven track maxi single (that’s an ‘EP’ for those who don’t remember Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons’ So Young and Loud & Clear 7-tracker) First Step in a Homeward Direction, the title track of which will be the first single from a new album out in the second half of the year. The release of the EP in May will be followed by dates in Perth/Fremantle, Sydney, Melbourne and the Wimmera in May.
In Mick and the band’s grand tradition of supporting their favourite songwriters and giving their fans their money’s worth, the new EP, in addition to the title track, includes newly recorded covers of songs by Charles Jenkins, Spencer P. Jones & Kim Salmon, Carla Geneve, David Beniuk, Paul Woseen/Screaming Jets as well as a new version of an old song of Mick’s from Weddings Parties Anything‘s final album.
October 2024 Mick and the band headed to Neil Finn’s prestigious Roundhead Studios in Auckland to record with award winning producer Steven Schram. First Step in a Homeward Direction (seven track maxi single) is the first offering from this inspired collaboration. It’s an all guns blazing rocking ballad – both triumphant and fragile – concerning the vagaries of the touring life and featuring all the musical assets the Roving Commission has to offer. The strings, the harmonies, the counterpoint lead vocals, the gnashing guitars and the swirling keyboards – all underpinned with a rhythmic sensibility as forceful as it is subtle and stylish. There’s another six tracks on the record – all covers from various contemporaries of the band including a lost track from Spencer P. Jones and Kim Salmon, one from the band’s WA buddy Carla Geneve and to close the record, a version of the Screaming Jets’ ‘Helping Hand’ – as surprising as it is poignant.
To get the record out there the band are making a quick trip ‘round the country in June. It’s the dead of winter so it will be good to have a heart-warming new batch of tunes on offer along side the familiar cannon of tunes Mick’s audience have come to expect. This year’s Port Fairy Folk Festival saw the Roving Commission handle the big stages with serious confidence and aplomb. The shows in June will be a great chance for the band to continue their quiet ascendancy as one of the country’s great touring acts.
All shows with special guest Skyscraper Stan (except Banyena)
