24 July 2019 - 0 Comments

LME Records are thrilled to announce the release of It’s Time, the highly anticipated debut album from Late Model European. Available online and in record stores from Friday 26th July.

Late Model European are two life-long best friends and music collaborators; Tones Thorburn (based in Auckland) and John Nelson (Blenheim, Marlborough), both originally from Scotland. Following on from the success of their “insanely catchy”, “infectious” debut single, Summer Rain, and the uplifting, hope-filled 2nd single, Moments – both taken from the album – It’s Time is an assured, genre-spanning record that is sure to appeal to a wide audience.

The album was recorded at Neil Finn's Premiere Roundhead Studios with producer Ben King (Goldenhorse) at the helm and mastered by Don Bartley at Benchmark Mastering, Sydney (revered for mastering INXS Kick and, for the most highly praised and sought after, re-mastered vinyl re-issue of Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club). The album features top kiwi musicians, Ben King (Producer) on bass, synths and support vocals; Tom Broome on drums; Jacob O'Callahan on grand piano; Claire Cowan on cello; and, Adam Whybro on string machine (synth). The backing vocals of Kiwi chanteuse Dianne Swann also features on the debut single, Summer Rain.

The vinyl LP was pressed by Holiday Records*, the recently launched boutique record pressing plant right here in Auckland, New Zealand; It's Time is one of the first vinyl records to be pressed in NZ since the EMI plant closed their doors back in the late 1980's. (*Late Model European's translucent red vinyl LP shown in the photos on the above Holiday Records link)

Late Model European is a songwriting collaboration between Tones and John; two life-long best friends who grew up together in a quaint little village in Scotland. Starting their musical journey together as wide-eyed teenagers with big dreams, big hair and big amps, back in the late 70's/early 80's, they had plans to conquer the music world. They may not have achieved that but they did rip it up around the Scottish and Northern England music scene doing what they loved. Not knowing whether they were Punks, Mods or Rockers didn’t matter to them; they just shared a passion and a love for creating and performing music together!

Then life came along and took them down different paths. Granted, their jeans were narrower but their eyes were still wide open; they knew there was a whole world out there waiting to be explored. But, little did they know they were destined once again come together and make music, some 40 years later, across the other side of the world in New Zealand!

With Tones based in Auckland and John in Marlborough, it would take more than the wild Cook Strait to prise these brothers in arms apart. After spending several months in their home studios bouncing tracks back and forth from North to South Island, they had crafted a bunch of demos. Along with their dreams, Producer, Ben King (Goldenhorse), and some of NZ's finest musicians, they headed into Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios.

Drawing on influences from iconic artists such as The Beatles, The Stones, Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Queen, Tom Petty, Dire Straits, The Jam, Crowded House, Goldenhorse and Elbow to name a few – it’s no surprise Late Model European’s debut album It's Time has all the hallmarks of a classic pop-rock album with wide-ranging appeal.

Late Model European's debut album It's Time is available in digital format from Friday 26th July on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and all good digital outlets. Also available in limited-edition translucent red vinyl at Real Groovy Records, Southbound Records, and other good record stores and, on latemodeleuropean.com.

Late Model European will play a Debut Album Release Show at Anthology Lounge, K'Rd, Auckland, on Friday 26th July, with very special guests Show Me Where It Hurts. Plans are also in the pipeline for a nationwide tour later this year. It's time!

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