As befits an unusual band, Bishopskin’s new release, “Lean Closer,” had an unusual beginning. After failing his driving test for the seventh time, lead singer Tiger Nicholson sat down in the grass alongside a busy road and watched the cars rush by until the sun set, half-singing and half-shouting what would become the song’s refrain over the roar of the traffic. “I then recorded a version of it on the top deck of the bus and sent it to James, who made this broken man’s worship into the song we have now,” Nicholson said.
The finished product is a tender little hymn, to which Nicholson’s warm, throaty, golden tones are well-suited. Its country-folk lilt led the band to label the track as less “primal,” than their recent single, “I Was Born on an Island,” but the injection of another genre ultimately serves to showcase the band’s impressive range.
The track features contributions from Seth Evans (Black Midi) Duc Peterman (HMLTD) and Alex White (Fat White Family and beyond—c’mon, the guy’s in so many bands, trying to keep track of them all is like trying to keep tabs on Warren Beatty at an Oscars afterparty, circa 1973).
“Lean Closer,” is out today on Isolar Records. You can purchase the single at the link below. You can follow the further adventures of Bishopskin on Instagram @bishopskin and @isolar_records
