Tony Randle

Description

A lifetime of experience is captured in original songs and solo guitar instrumentals – and one Taylor Swift cover. Why Taylor Swift? Read on… Well, in 2019, I met Taylor whilst walking in the English Lake District. A brief encounter which frankly I’m still sorting out in my head. She was escaping the spotlight with her boyfriend at the time. Like any good songwriter, I got down this pleasant but bizarre experience in song. The first track, entitled ‘In Ambleside’ tells the story of that spring day, in a style I hope is somewhat reminiscent of her earlier country-inspired work. I really hope she gets to hear it! As further homage to the somewhat well-known singer, the second track is a cover of ‘The Lakes’ which came out on her Folklore album, and must have been composed on that walking holiday away from the press. My take is a little rockier that the original, which apparently is how co-writer Jack Antonoff first wanted to approach the track, but stays true to the spirit of the original. The album title track, ‘Somewhere, Not Here’ is a heartfelt reflection of that feeling of never quite fitting in anywhere I’ve been; of always looking ahead to someplace else. It’s not just me, right…? ‘Time’ tips a stylistic nod to Peter Gabriel, whose Real World Studios in Wiltshire I was lucky enough to be able to use to record the album, with the assistance of the highly creative (and Grammy Award winning) Head Engineer, Katie May. The album is heavily guitar based, with all guitars and basses played by myself. Many years have gone into honing my craft as a guitarist; I hope it shows to the listener, especially on the solo acoustic tracks which are played on a classical nylon-string guitar.