Today sees the release of Connor Selby’s most personal collection of songs to date. ‘The Truth Comes Out Eventually’ encapsulates his soul-bearing emotion with all facets of his musicality—Is he a ballroom big band leader? Is he a smouldering guitar hero? Or is he a delicate, folky troubadour? In truth, he is all of these things and more.
“Selby is an Eric Clapton for the 2020s”, proclaimed MOJO magazine of his latest release, out now on Provogue.
Authentic, roots-based voices have penetrated the mainstream in recent years, from the soulful yearns of early Leon Bridges, the groove of Gary Clark Jr., the booming voice of Jacob Banks, the raw and haunting delivery of Ray LaMontagne or the earthy tones of Rag ‘n Bone Man – those voices cut through, and they stand out, they make you take notice because they don’t sound like everyone else.
Selby’s voice echoes these trailblazers, enveloping his music with an emotional integrity. He delves deep into his soul, all the way down into his core and the feeling of belonging. “The songs are about my feelings of being in the world and not really feeling like I belong,” he explains.
The delicate and yearning “I Won’t Be Hard to Find” leads the charge on the album’s release day. “This is one of those songs that sort of came out of nowhere,” Selby explains. “I was just sitting at the end of my bed late into the night, and it manifested itself. Lyrically, it’s inspired by heartbreak country ballads, and it’s a song about not being able to let go of a lost love. However, if they change their mind, you will still be there waiting for them, and all they need to do is reach out to you again. It’s one of those universal feelings that I think we all experience at some point, and this is my take on it. I think this is one of my favourite songs on the album.” Listen to “I Won’t Be Hard To Find” HERE
The album has sprinkled acorns of hope and heartache from the singles, including “Amelia“, a Nick Drake-inspired tale of helplessness that has been under lock and key since his teenage years. “The Truth Comes Out Eventually” battles with expectations, and the heart-fluttering groove of the album opener and his first single, “Someone,” sees Selby in full bandleader mode.
“I’m beyond thrilled that my new album is now out”, Selby enthuses. “This album has been in the works for a long time, and the fact that it’s finally out fills me with pride. This album is truly my most personal and emotionally driven to date, and each song represents a different part of me, a different facet of my personality and musicality. I sincerely hope that everyone who listens to this album can connect with the songs and find meaning in them for themselves. It’s my view that every artist is just chasing the way the music and art that they love makes them feel, and if one person can find some meaning in these songs in the way that I have with the music that inspired me, then I’ve done my job.”
He will be back on the road touring for the rest of the year and will let the songs run free to audiences across Europe. “I’m so excited to play these songs at my live shows so I can see first-hand the way my music affects people. Particularly the acoustic songs, as this is something that hasn’t been a part of my live act for quite some time,” he says.
The young multi-award-winning musician has already orbited the circles of some of the world’s most inspiring artists – from collaborating with Mark Knopfler to supporting The Who at Wembley Stadium and sharing the stage at London’s Hyde Park Festival alongside the likes of Pearl Jam and Stereophonics. He has toured with powerhouse singer Beth Hart, including a performance at the iconic London Palladium. His glittering tour CV has included shows with Robert Cray, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Betty LaVette, and P.P. Arnold.
“The Truth Comes Out Eventually” represents a pivotal moment in time for Connor Selby, marking a glorious future ahead for him.
Tour Dates
29 Aug – Blues in Hell – Norway
12 Sep – The Old Riverport Blues, St Ives, Cambridgeshire – UK
17 Sep – The Witham, Barnard Castle – UK
18 Sep – Kings Place 2, London – UK
19 Sep – John Peel Centre, Stowmarket – UK
20 Sep – Kola, Portsmouth – UK
21 Sep – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells – UK
24 Sep – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh – UK
25 Sep – Hallé St Peter’s, Manchester – UK
26 Sep – Metronome, Nottingham – UK
27 Sep – Beacon Hall, Bristol – UK
28 Sep – Guildhall, Axminster – UK
01 Oct – The Stables, Wavendon – Co-Headline w/Ben Poole – UK
12 Oct – Bromley Little Theatre, Bromley – UK
06 Nov – Qbus Club, Leiden – Netherlands
08 Nov – Blue Notez, Dortmund – Germany
28 Nov – Chelmsford Social Club, Chelmsford – UK
03 Dec – New Morning, Paris – France
04 Dec – Le Jam, Montpellier – France
05 Dec – L’Sonograf, Le Thor – France
14 Dec – La Traverse, Cleon – France