First of all I'm chuffed to bits about all the thoughts, messages, calls, and relatability I've had regarding Clone Zone. It's out now on everywhere that plays music, so if you give it a spin, I'd be most appreciative: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/tommonks/clone-zone
This song, so many people I've shown the album to singled it out, despite being an unobvious contender - and with a snippet I teased, a young musician messaged me to say they were obsessed with it, asking all about it. I realised, man I've gotta get it out.
Since then, I've unfathomably been pulled up on it utterly non-stop - even by strangers who just recognise me. The other day I was in Charing Cross and someone came up to me singing it back to me. Wednesday I went to a jam at a pub I'd never set foot into, only to be greeted with 'HEY IT'S THE GUY WITH THAT SONG!' I can't explain how gratefully weird it feels.
So huge thanks again for Dan Cooper for mastering it, Reece Bailey for the tremendously clever and flattering artwork, and every single person who's told me they dig it and making my life. I'll get the rest out soon I promise!
In a year of being sidetracked I'm determined to put my focus on getting the live show on the road, and the whole album out there. I'm desperate to just unleash it spontaneously, but to do it right, I have to do it.. right!
And the reception of this single has kicked me into prioritising doing so.
There's just a few things to get out of the way first, and they're all good. I'm drumming for the Spiders at the Staples in Blackfen on 26th, jamming with Dennis Greaves's blues band at the Pelton in Greenwich on the 27th, then a sold out show in Beckenham with one of my musical mentors, Andy Gilbert.
Then the week after that, I'm joining Laurie Wright on keys, at a particularly special show at the Scala in Kings Cross! With the Molotovs on support plus A.R.T and Super Swamp Jellyfish, at such a huge venue, it's becoming apparent we're on the cusp of a mammoth resurgence of real bands, and it's a scene that's an enormous honour to be a part of.
I'd also love to point you in the direction of an interview I did for Aldora Britain Records' magazine. Tom Hilton is a true champion of up and comers, and it was a true opportunity to talk to him: https://bit.ly/aldorabritainrecords-magazine-204
Keep playing Clone Zone, or check it out for the first time if you've not already, and see you lovely people soon x
Photo by Reece Bailey