The song premiered on Bob Harris’ Radio 2 show who said, “I’m a big fan of Ferris & Sylvester. Dynamic and brilliant music,” this was followed by the video premiering with American Songwriter Magazine.
Written, recorded and produced by Ferris & Sylvester, ‘I Should Be On A Train’ is an explosive blues ballad, which follows the musings of a woman planning her escape, but not having the courage to leave the one she loves. It was originally written in the back of a tour bus between Prague and Vienna in February, but the tune came to life and took on a new meaning in their studio this spring.
The dreamy video pairs Super 8 footage shot by the duo in lockdown with clips from their last headline show before the Covid-19 shutdown at Paradiso, Amsterdam. The performance footage looks like flashbacks to a different time, compared with the film footage where the pair are alone, walking through untouched countryside.
‘I Should Be On A train’ opens the band’s much anticipated EP of the same name, which will be out digitally as well as on limited edition 12" vinyl, now available to pre-order here.
About the recordings Ferris & Sylvester say, “The world is adapting to a new reality, and we’ve been determined to adapt with it and get creative. It can be difficult in isolation to know how to move forward. People are lonely, overwhelmed and yearning to connect. We were busy writing for future projects, trying to map out the next chapters. But we decided it was more important to give what we can now. All we know is we are happiest when sharing our music and we hope this brings joy to people.”
Working in the face of adversity, Ferris & Sylvester have used the past months as inspiration for new music, for learning new instruments and production techniques and to build their online connection with fans. In May, the band released the beautiful ‘Everyone Is Home’, described by Clash Magazine as “the duo’s very own isolation anthem”, which also features on the I Should Be On A Train EP. The heartfelt lyrics recognise the loneliness in the uncertain times yet also celebrate the togetherness, bravery and resilience that has come with it.
During lockdown, Ferris & Sylvester have hosted successful weekly live streams, and raised money to help local venues stay in business via the Music Venue Trust, of which they are patrons. The duo played a very special fundraiser for the Spiritual Bar in London, a legendary music space and very special to the pair as it is where they first met and cut their teeth on stage together.
The upcoming new five-track EP captures Ferris & Sylvester’s unique blend of blues, Americana and folk, whilst also seeing them expand on their sound. ‘Knock You Down’ features wistful psychedelic touches, while the groove-laden riffs of ‘Good Man’ are intertwined with Ravi Shankar influences. The EP closes with a cover of The Beatles’ ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, inspired by their lockdown livestreams where they shared a new cover every week with their fans.
The I Should Be On A Train EP finds Ferris & Sylvester thriving in the world’s state of transition, taking the opportunity to explore new territories, spurred on by the success of the past and looking forward to the future.
Ferris & Sylvester have made a distinct mark on the live scene both in the UK and across the Atlantic. This is set to continue in 2021 as they have announced their largest headline shows for next year. The band will tour the UK throughout February and March, with a London headline show at Lafayette on March 1st. The band will then head off for a six date tour across the US and Canada. Tickets are available here and full tour dates can be found below:
UK HEADLINE TOUR DATES
FEBRUARY
25th – Exeter, Cavern
26th – Nottingham, Metronome
28th – Brighton, Green Door Store
MARCH
1st – London, Lafayette
3rd – Manchester, Night & Day
4th – Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club
6th – Glasgow, King Tuts
US & CANADA HEADLINE TOUR DATES
MARCH
25th – Los Angeles, Hotel Café
27th – Chicago, Martyr’s
30th – Nashville, High Watt
APRIL
1st – Washington DC, Songbyrd
2nd – New York City, Rockwood Music Hall
3rd – Toronto, Drake Hotel
ACCLAIM FOR FERRIS & SYLVESTER
“A rich and fully realised sound that leaves you pining for a full length”
Rolling Stone
“A masterpiece of Brit Folk that should already have made them household names”
MOJO
“Rage-ridden brilliance. One of the best songs of the last five years”
Sarah Gosling, BBC Introducing
“Alt Simon & Garfunkel… dreamy pop with spikey sentiments”
The Guardian
"A great band, with lovely harmonies who opened for us last year. I’m sure they’ll continue to go from strength to strength"
Robert Plant
“Amazing band”
Frank Turner
“From bluesy guitars that storm and shimmer to unison vocals that build to a massive group sing-along. It heads straight for the brain's joy receptors, and damned if it doesn't hit its target”
NPR
“Their contagious blend of country and rambunctious rockabilly is beautifully delivered”
The Independent
“Sluicing together Americana-leanings with elements of blues, soul, and even a dash of pop, the pair seemed to tap into something primal”
Clash
“Pure, furious and carnal bluesy rock'n'roll”
Gigwise
“A major new talent.”
Richard Madeley, Radio 2
“Something very special indeed”
Ricky Ross, BBC Radio Scotland
FURTHER INFORMATION ON FERRIS & SYLVESTER
Ferris & Sylvester kicked off 2020 by being awarded the ‘Emerging Artist Award’ at the UK Americana Awards, selected by Radio 2’s Bob Harris who declared the band “a rising force in British music [with] a sound that is absolutely unique.”
The award reflected what huge success Ferris & Sylvester have enjoyed in the early stages of their career so far. 2019 saw the duo complete two UK and Ireland headline tours and play over 100 live shows. Particular highlights included their debut at SXSW, Nashville's AmericanaFest and Glastonbury festival and two consecutive sold out shows at London’s Omeara.
Over the course of just two EPs and a selection of singles, Ferris & Sylvester have received vast critical praise across the board, including being featured in high profile lists such as Rolling Stone Magazine’s ‘Best Americana of the Week’ and ‘Top 10 New Country Artists You Need To Know’, NPR’s Top 100 SXSW Artists and BBC Introducing Devon & Cornwall’s Best Of Year lists for three consecutive years. They have received strong radio support from Radio 1, BBC 6Music, Radio 2, Radio X and BBC Introducing, which also saw them complete a live session at Maida Vale.
Their EP Made In Streatham has received over four million plays on Spotify, following great support from the platform who put its singles in a number of high profile playlists including numerous New Music Fridays and charted at No.14 on the Spotify UK Viral Top 50. It also topped the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Chart.
The band’s monumental touring schedule has seen them play to thousands of people alongside the likes of Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Tom Jones, George Ezra, James Morrison, Jade Bird and Billy Lockett. They also performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight, Sziget, Black Deer, BST in Hyde Park, Eurosonic, Barn On The Farm, The Great Escape, SXSW and many more.
The release of their debut album in 2021 will only see the band continue to solidify their status as one of the most exciting and loved new names on the scene.
